Approved the 35 billion economic maneuver for 2023. Meloni: "Aid for the middle class and not for the rich"

The go-ahead from the Council of Ministers for the 2023 budget law, the first of the Meloni government, arrived during the night. 35 billion euros which include aid for families and – 21 billion – to face the cost of energy. Furthermore, the law decree containing the urgent measures on excise duties and VAT for fuels and support for local authorities, including those in the Marches affected by the flood, was launched.

In detail, as Giorgia Meloni explained at the press conference , an "extraordinary maintenance of the citizen's income is being implemented, which is moving towards its abolition, with a transitional period in 2023 with greater controls on the front of those who receive it and who receives job offers.

From 1 January 2023, people between the ages of 18 and 59 (able to work but who do not have disabilities, minors or dependents aged 60 or over in their families) are granted income up to a maximum of 8 months (currently 18 ). A period of at least six months of participation in a professional training or retraining course is also foreseen. Failing that, the income benefit is forfeited. The same consequence in the case of refusal of the first reasonable offer.

SAVINGS - The income will be repealed on January 1, 2024 to be replaced by a new reform. The expected savings are 734 million for 2023.

SINGLE ALLOWANCE - The maneuver includes an increase in the single allowance also for those with a first child: in addition to doubling the flat-rate increase in the single universal allowance for large families starting with the third child (which would go from 100 to 200 euros) , there will also be “strengthened” support for the first child. In addition, there will be a month's leave for the first six years of children, to be added to the other measures already in force regarding parental leave.

ISEE THRESHOLD – The ISEE threshold relating to the social bonus on bills for the most fragile families rises from 12,000 to 15,000 euros. And still on the subject of families, a fund of 500 million euros has been set up for the creation of a "Spending Savings Card" for incomes of up to 15 thousand euros managed by the Municipalities and usable for the purchase of basic necessities. The Mef communicates it, underlining that it is a sort of shopping vouchers to be used at points of sale that adhere to the initiative "with a further discount proposal on a basket of food products".

TAX WEDGE – "Then there is the cut of the tax wedge," Meloni said at the press conference. "Not only do we confirm the present one, but we add another 1 percent cut for the lowest incomes." It is, he said, «the most expensive measure of the Budget Law, costing 4 billion. But in this way the money in the paycheck of those with lower incomes is increased ».

TAXES ON PLASTIC AND SUGAR DRINKS – Taxation for single-use plastic products and sugary drinks is suspended again.

SMEs – The guarantee fund for SMEs has been refinanced for next year by 1 billion, and the IPO bonus has been extended, with the tax credit to encourage the listing of SMEs on the stock exchange.

CASH – Starting from January 1, the threshold for the use of cash rises to 5 thousand euros (currently it is one thousand euros).

PENSIONS - Another stop to the Fornero law, but the maneuver establishes the launch of "a new pension advance scheme for 2023 which allows you to retire with 41 years of contributions and 62 years of age", the so-called quota 103) ". While for those who decide to stay at work, "the Maroni bonus is refinanced, which provides for a 10% contribution reduction". Then extended for next year "Women's option", linked to the number of children and reserved for certain categories such as caregivers, heavy workers, the disabled.

FUEL – As of 1 December 2022, the discount on petrol and diesel goes from 0.25 euros per liter to 0.15, while for LPG from 0.085 per kg to 0.051.

CIGARETTES – Increases are planned for cigarettes: the maneuver indicates an increase in tax revenues from "blondes" (+138 million euros) and from the revaluations of assets and shareholdings in companies (+1.028 billion euros).

(Unioneonline/ss)