Electricity and gas, LEP, tolls… What will change on 1st February

Come February 1st, like every beginning of the month, its share price rises. Electricity, tolls, a few packs of cigarettes or even short journeys via VTC will cost more. Remuneration of Popular Savings Account (LEP) will be less beneficial. The only good news is that gas bills should ease a bit.

· Sharp rise in electricity prices

Plus 9.8% for peak and off-peak rates, +8.6% on base rate. Electricity bills for individuals and professionals are increasing as a result of the gradual removal of the price cap put in place by the government at the end of 2021.

And the increase may continue in the coming months. The extraordinary reduction in domestic final consumption tax on electricity (TICFE), which made it possible to contain prices, will end in early 2025.

Gas prices may be falling

There is a crossover next to the energy bill as “benchmark” gas prices should fall. In the absence of regulated prices – they are no longer in place from summer 2023 – the Energy Regulatory Commission publishes indicative prices to help consumers choose between suppliers. According to CRE, the variable share of general cooking/hot water/heating consumption, including all taxes, decreased by 11 euros/MWhA (9.16 euros/MWha excluding taxes) compared to January.

Popular savings account rates are less advantageous

Bad news for low-income earners, the LEP rate goes from 6% to 5%. The economy minister, Bruno Le Maire, defended that it remains “significantly higher than inflation, which is at 3.7%”.

The Livret A rate is maintained at 3% until 2025.

· Increase in toll prices

Clement Beaune, transport minister in the previous government, announced an increase of “less than 3%” in late November. It is 2.79% for Sanef (North-East motorway) and 3.08% on the SAPN network (Paris-Normandy). On the routes managed by the Vinci group (A7, A10, A11, A86), prices increase by an average of 2.7%.

APRR (Autoroute Paris Rhin Rhône), concessionaire of the A5, A6 and A19, is increasing its prices by 3.02% and in the AREA, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, by 3.04%. Motorists crossing the Aveyron via the Millau Viaduct see their journey costs rise by more than 5.5%.

· Change in minimum price for VTC

Negotiations between drivers and the platform resulted in an increase in the minimum fare for a trip that is offered to users. They now have to pay at least 10.60 euros for a trip.

· Introduction of social net amount

The social net amount, which has been shown on the pay slip since the beginning of the year, must be provided for activity bonus and RSA related requests. This new tool should make it possible to better tackle non-recourse to the law.

· Some more expensive cigarette references

Some references to Dunhill, Vogue L’Originale or even American Spirit are more expensive.

· Legacy Duties: Simplification of Payment Credit

It’s now easy to take advantage of a payday credit to pay legacy expenses after the death of a loved one. For heirs who want to split or delay the payment, the response time from the public accountant is reduced to two months.

· Enhanced protection of Internet users

Coming into force on major platforms in August, the European regulation on digital services – or Digital Services Act (DSA) – extends from February 17 to other commercial sites, social networks, internet access providers or even search engines. The new law calls for greater transparency on platforms, stricter moderation of illegal content and better monitoring of advertising.