-
EU looks to increase Etias travel authorisation fee from €7 to €20
Second-home owners and other visitors from the UK and US will need this from autumn 2026
-
What dangerous snakes are in France and what to do if you spot one
Anyone killing a snake risks a fine and potentially a prison sentence
-
Ryanair says flights over France must be protected from air traffic controller strikes
Strikes at start of the month cost airlines over €100 million as budget airline claims workers ‘wanted time off’
Public sector jobs axed in economy push
Prime Minister reveals nearly 15,000 public jobs will go in next two years, while pensions, family allowance and housing benefits will fall behind inflation

Pensions, family allowance and housing benefits will fall behind inflation as part of the French government's bid to reach EU deficit targets, while nearly 15,000 public sector jobs will be axed in the next two years, Prime Minister Edouard Philippe has revealed.
Following the loss of 1,600 public-sector jobs this year, another 4,500 will disappear in 2019 next year and at least 10,000 the year after that, Mr Philippe told weekly newspaper Journal du Dimanche.
During last year's election campaign, President Emmanuel Macron pledged to slash 120,000 public-service jobs during his term of office, including 50,000 from central government. Mr Philippe said that digital efficiencies and other savings have allowed authorities to speed up the efficiency drive.
The Prime Minister said the government is sticking to its commitment to reduce the budget deficit to 2.3% of GDP this year, despite the fact that it now forecasts 1.7% growth instead of the 1.9% it had earlier predicted, hitting tax revenues.
To compensate, Mr Philippe announced that retirement pensions, family allowance and housing benefit will rise 0.3% a year for the next two years, lower than the rate of inflation.
But he promised to raise some other state benefits, such as top-ups for the low-paid and disability allowance.
The Journal du Dimanche also reported that both Mr Philippe and Mr Macron have slid down the opinion polls over the summer. Only 34% of respondents are satisfied with the president's performance today, compared to 39% in July and 64% in June last year, an Ifop poll showed.
Philippe had a 40% satisfaction rating, compared to 41% in July and 64% in June 2017.
Stay informed:
Sign up to our free weekly e-newsletter
Subscribe to access all our online articles and receive our printed monthly newspaper The Connexion at your home. News analysis, features and practical help for English-speakers in France