-
Storm warning: 44 French departments placed on alert
Dramatic change in weather expected this weekend following sunny spell
-
Private medical laboratories to strike from May 4
Industrial action will not impact hospital labs but may delay non-urgent tests
-
TotalEnergies extends fuel price cap and announces special offer on diesel in France
Drivers can expect to pay a maximum of €1.99 per litre for petrol and €2.25 per litre for diesel this month
Fears for Livret A 1% interest rate
Banque de France says 1% rate is too high when new inflation stats show French growth is sluggish
THE INTEREST rate on France's most popular tax-free savings account could be cut to a new record low next month.
The rate paid on the Livret A is tracked against inflation and new figures out this week show the French economy grew by 0.3% in the year to the end of June.
There are more than 61 million Livret A accounts open in France and they currently pay 1% interest - the lowest return since the scheme was created in 1818.
The governor of the Banque de France, Christian Noyer, says it is "unthinkable that the rate won't be reduced this year".
The decision on whether to change the rate is one for the government - and some economy-watchers are pointing to regional elections this December as a possible reason why they might leave the rate unchanged.
The low return is already encouraging savers to move their cash elsewhere. Last year €6.13billion was withdrawn from Livret A accounts.
