The French government believes energy companies should help the country’s bakers as they grapple with their ever-rising energy bills. Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said this while he was on his way to a meeting with representatives of those energy companies on Tuesday.
If they don’t do it on their own initiative, Le Maire can force them to do it. “The government will not abandon its bakers. Energy suppliers must also contribute,” said the minister.
The minister said France’s 33,000 or so bakeries would soon receive a letter from the government detailing the help they can get. Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne said today bakeries could be given more time to pay taxes and bills.
In the Netherlands, bakers are compensated for their higher energy bills if at least 7% of their turnover is spent on energy costs.
