BRING THE BILLS DOWN - OTHER LANGUAGES AVAILABLE

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Solidarity
Solidarity
1
An EU Winter Solidarity Package to support people as well as small and medium businesses struggling with skyrocketing costs of living. This support should include:
  • €100 billion of immediate support for families most affected by energy poverty;
  • immediate income support measures under the Social Climate Fund;
  • a permanent fiscal capacity;
  • a permanent EU jobs fund (SURE*);
  • loans for SMEs

*SURE is the European instrument for temporary support to mitigate unemployment risks in an emergency.

2
An adequate EU fiscal policy, including:
  • the extension of the clause allowing the maximum flexibility of the fiscal rules for as long as needed, and
  • the exemption of targeted measures related to the energy crisis from the calculation of the deficit within the fiscal rules.
3
An extension of the solidarity contribution, which is now required only from energy sector, to all sectors benefiting from windfall profits, and at least to banking and pharmaceutical sectors.
4
Ending Orbán’s veto on minimum tax for multinationals.
Bringing energy prices down
Bringing energy prices down
5
Price cap on gas imports to lower bills for consumers. The cap should apply to both pipeline gas and LNG and should be negotiated with reliable third countries.
6
Temporary breaking the link between gas and electricity prices to immediately alleviate the burden of electricity bills.
7
Banning speculation and manipulation in the gas market.
8
Buying energy together as the EU, following the model used to buy vaccines in the Covid-19 pandemic, to increase the EU’s bargaining power and achieve lower negotiated prices with reliable third countries.
9
Boosting investment in renewable energy production and gas and electricity interconnections.
10
Ensuring energy savings.
Protecting vulnerable people
Protecting vulnerable people
11
Boost salaries with decent minimum wages. Member states should start implementing the new European law on minimum wages immediately.
12
Ensuring an adequate minimum income. European recommendations need to become law to guarantee that every person in Europe is covered by a minimum income scheme and that pensions ensure an income above the poverty line.
13
Securing the right to a warm home. Disconnecting vulnerable people from gas and electricity should be prohibited because having affordable heat and electricity is a basic right. Nobody should need to choose between eating, heating and cooling. This should also include reviewing the legislation to ensure access to essential services, such as energy, transport, water and sanitation.
14
Protecting children from poverty through a bolstered European Child Guarantee scheme with a dedicated funding of at least €20 billion.
15
Organising a new Social Summit to cope with the extraordinary social and economic situation.
Listen to our podcast to learn more

How is it even possible that energy prices are rocketing while we can't pay our bills? Should you speculate on energy? Should you speculate on bread and food? We sat down with S&D vice presidents Mohammed Chahim and Biljana Borzan to discuss the solution to the energy price crisis.

Publications
S&D Group’s winter solidarity plan to bring the bills down with 15 solutions for people and businesses
Bring the bills down - S&D proposals