The dear bills could continue to weigh on the pockets of Italians. After the first two quarters of 2023 in which the discounts wanted by the government to calm prices were applied, the fear is that from September, with the end of the aid, we will go back to paying electricity and gas rates at full price. So what will happen between now and the next few months? Let's clarify.
Goodbye bonuses, from October there is a risk of a blow
The Bollette Bis decree extended the discounts on electricity and gas bills until September, effectively extending the social bonus for the third quarter of 2023. But what will happen from October XNUMXst? At the moment there is no certainty that the aid will be renewed, and without a refinancing of the measures there is a risk of a significant increase in energy rates. Consumer associations are raising the alarm given the probable high price increases.
Even though gas prices have fallen in recent months after peaking in 2022, prices are still high, well above the historical average. And as long as energy commodities remain at such high levels, it will be difficult to imagine a return to “normal” bill prices.
Government moves to lower prices
To avoid a bloodbath in the coming months, the government is evaluating possible moves to implement.
Government moves
Description
Confirmation of 4th quarter discounts
Confirm the discounts on bills also for the fourth quarter, drawing from a "nest egg" of 10 billion that would derive from the extra VAT revenue generated by the energy price increases
System Costs Cut in Budget Law
The next budget law will study structural interventions to reduce the impact of system charges that weigh on bills, responsible for almost 20% of the amounts invoiced each month
On the European front, the Italian government is pushing for the introduction of a price cap, a ceiling on the price of gas on wholesale markets. A measure that would allow the cost of methane to be reduced and consequently limit the impact downstream on energy bills. It will not be easy to convince the countries against it, but Italy is creating an increasingly broad front of allies to reach this solution. A powerful and effective price cap would be the only way to truly normalize electricity and gas rates.
In short, the next few months are still shaping up to be difficult on the energy front. But with the right interventions, it is possible to avoid citizens being hit by the bloodbath that would result from the end of aid against high bills. We must act quickly and with adequate tools, both at national and European level, to protect families and businesses from uncontrolled energy price increases.
Other spending items up since September
It's not just energy bills that weigh on family budgets. With the arrival of autumn, we will also have to deal with the price increases of many other goods and services. Consumer associations predict increases for:
school supplies;
the textbooks;
car insurance;
bank charges;
mortgage payments, due to the interest rate hike decided by the ECB.
Not to mention the shopping cart: if the prices of bread, pasta and vegetables were to continue their upward trend, it would be painful for the pockets of Italians. This is why it is crucial to launch as soon as possible the anti-inflation basket wanted by the Meloni government, which could lead to a 10% reduction in the price lists of some primary goods for families.
Associations' criticism: measures still insufficient
But consumer associations still judge the measures implemented by the executive to be insufficient. A structural cut in the system charges that weigh on bills is needed, they say. And at the same time a tax reform that lightens the tax burden on families, which is still too high despite the tax relief in recent years. Not to mention that many energy-intensive businesses risk closing their doors if aid against high bills is not renewed. In short, the new government is faced with complex challenges to avoid the autumn blow. And time is very short to act.
Source: https://www.
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