BE MP Mariana Mortagua said this Monday that the package of measures to support families in the face of rising inflation is late and “too short”, she accused the government of fraud.
“This package of measures is late, very short and full of tricks,” the MP criticized in speeches to reporters in the Assembly of the Republic after the prime minister announced the government’s measures to support families.
The announced measures are not enough “to compensate for all the losses in purchasing power, salaries and pensions that all people have had over the past year,” he said.
Mariana Mortagua also criticized the €2,400 million cost of the eight social support measures, “well below all the emergency tax revenue that the Portuguese transfer to the state through higher VAT or fuel taxes as a result of inflation.”
Accusing the government of tricks, the BE deputy wanted to “leave a warning to pensioners.”
“The announcement made by António Costa today is not an increase in his pension. The pension renewal law, which was not frozen in the previous legislature, means that in 2023, as a result of a combination of GDP growth, economic growth and inflation, there will be a very generous and fair pension renewal. What António Costa is telling retirees is that he will review this law and reduce it,” he defended.
And also regarding the proposal aimed at lowering the VAT on electricity, Mariana Mortagua said that “only the part of the VAT that was 13% is reduced to 6%”, pointing out that the largest part that the Portuguese pay is taxed at a rate of ” 23″. % and will continue up to 23%.
With regard to fuel, the BE deputy considered that it was about “updating what was already there”, and as for the extraordinary payment of 125 euros, she indicated that this was not enough for people who “already lost a monthly salary” with an increase in inflation..
According to BE, inflation should be counteracted by updating wages and pensions, controlling fuel and food prices, and windfall profits should be taxed.
Prime Minister António Costa presented on Monday exceptional measures to support families to mitigate the effects of inflation following an extraordinary meeting of the Council of Ministers.
The Prime Minister detailed eight measures totaling €2,400 million in terms of impact on spending.
This package includes, among other things, an extraordinary payment of €125 to each non-pensioner with a monthly gross income of up to €2,700 and an allocation of €50 to all families for each descendant under the age of 24 who are in their jurisdiction.
According to the communiqué of the Council of Ministers meeting, the Government decided to “pay pensioners 14 and a half months of pensions instead of the usual 14 months” and “to extend until the end of the year the suspension of pensions.” an increase in the carbon tax, a return to citizens of additional VAT revenues and a reduction in CIT.”
This Monday, another Decree-Law was adopted, which “allows, as an exception, the return of end users of natural gas with an annual consumption of less than or equal to 10,000 m3 to the regulated tariff regime.”
The government also approved a draft law for submission to the Assembly of the Republic, which provides for “limiting to 2% the maximum renovation of the cost of housing and commercial rent in 2023” and “creating rental support by attributing a tax credit to property income.”
In this bill, the executive branch also proposes “a reduction in VAT on the supply of electricity from the current 13% to 6% valid until December 2023”, and “an increase in pensions in 2023 from 4.43% to pensions to 886 euros”. , 4.07% for pensions from 886 to 2659 euros and 3.53% for other pensions subject to adjustment.”
According to the statement of the Council of Ministers, “The government has also determined a price freeze for travel and tickets in public transport at the KP for the whole of 2023, providing appropriate compensation to this company and the transport authorities.”
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
