Bills: tightening on the decree, hypothesis of Isee 20 thousand with limits

Concentrate resources as much as possible in the short term to be as "effective" as possible. And in the meantime, work also on the medium term to "make the system as a whole more efficient". The government is trying to tighten the measures to mitigate the effect of high energy costs on families and businesses and is bringing together technicians and ministers at Palazzo Chigi to take stock in view of the Council of Ministers on Friday. With a view to making aid to the most vulnerable more consistent, the idea of ​​extending the social bonus group up to 20 thousand euros of ISEE seems to be prevailing, but setting limits to guarantee a targeted intervention for those who really need it, Always remaining within the perimeter of resources that would be around three billion overall.

The route to follow was indicated by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Monday evening when, considering the draft of the decree on bills prepared by the Ministries of Economy and Environment to be "unsatisfactory", she asked to "examine" further measures and decided to postpone the meeting initially scheduled for Tuesday by a few days: the response must be "more effective" - ​​was the Prime Minister's warning - with particular attention to the most vulnerable subjects. The work done in recent days was updated in the meeting with the Undersecretary to the Presidency Alfredo Mantovano, the head of Mase Gilberto Pichetto and the Minister of European Affairs and PNRR Tommaso Foti, as well as technicians from the ministries and the Accounting Department. Developments followed remotely by the Minister of Economy Giancarlo Giorgetti, these days in Cape Town for the G20, who connected via video. A meeting that is defined above all as technical.

The issue would not be so much the resources, which should not go much beyond 3 billion. But it is being considered to ensure that the greatest effort is in favor of families: therefore putting on the table more than the 1.3-1.5 billion initially planned. According to some, it would be possible to mobilize around 2 billion which would allow to further extend the group of beneficiaries of the social bonus, currently intended for families with a maximum of 3 dependent children and an ISEE of up to 9,530 euros. The initial idea was to raise the ceiling to 15 thousand euros, as already done in 2023, but it is reportedly moving towards the threshold of 20 thousand euros, thus involving around 7 million families. The reported objective of concentrating resources in the short term would suggest the possibility of opting to limit the aid to a single quarter: even if the calculations are being refined to ensure a broader time coverage. It is also hypothesized that the financing of the tpl contract could be included here. The issue of hydroelectric concessions, on the other hand, would not be over yet. Pichetto suggests a possible way forward: "we do not have the possibility of renewal through negotiation, which can be one of the ways, and not the only one, compared to those that are regional choices and competences, for reassignment". And Minister Foti does not close. "Talks are underway with Europe", he explains, but cautiously reminds: "First the rules are written, then we verify whether they are compatible with the community system, then they are introduced and then the Regions decide because it is their competence".

In the meantime, the productive world is looking at the measure with anticipation. "In recent years, attention has been diverted to the needs of energy-hungry people", observes Confapi, asking for measures for SMEs in the next decree. Meanwhile, the opposition is not easing its pressure on the executive. "The government should implement an energy policy that currently does not exist", says the PD. "For the majority, bills are not an emergency", adds the M5S. The delegation bill on nuclear power is also expected in the Council of Ministers on Friday.