Fuel prices: Lecornu government extends aid to high-mileage workers and construction firms
Source · Energy desk
— Summary
Facing a fuel-price surge driven by the Middle East war, Sébastien Lecornu's government announced Tuesday evening an expanded package of aid: €170m per month, up from €70m under the previous scheme. After farmers and fishermen, the prime minister is extending the mechanism to small construction firms (BTP) and to roughly 3 million lower-income high-mileage workers including care assistants.
For fishermen, state aid previously reached 20 cents per litre of non-road diesel (GNR); it should rise to 30–35 cents per litre from May, subject to European Commission approval. For farmers, the current €20m envelope is being multiplied by four, equivalent to about 15 cents per litre of GNR consumed.
Support for hauliers — introduced last month at 20 cents per litre — will be extended into May. Transport minister Philippe Tabarot has opened talks with taxi and ride-hail (VTC) representatives, who may receive further measures. April's payments are expected to be disbursed in May. Source: Les Echos, 21 April 2026, Hortense Goulard.
The story in one line. Lecornu is scaling up fuel-price aid to €170m per month, more than double the previous envelope, with coverage now reaching fishermen, farmers, small BTP firms, high-mileage workers and hauliers.
Key numbers
€170m/month vs €70m/month under the previous scheme
~3 million high-mileage workers targeted, including care assistants
Fishermen: 30–35 cents/litre of non-road diesel (vs. 20 cents), pending EU sign-off
Talks opened with taxis and VTC via Philippe Tabarot
Why it matters
The monthly budget cost more than doubles while coverage extends to highly diffuse populations (construction, care, rural commuters). The government is betting the Iran war will run longer; if it doesn’t, the spending becomes a retroactive cheque with no immediate justification. Brussels’s verdict on the fishermen uplift (30–35 cents) will be a first signal on EU tolerance for sectoral aid.
Takeaway
The Lecornu government is choosing broad cover over tight targeting — politically safer but diluting impact per beneficiary. If crude prices retreat in May-June, Paris can claim a well-timed safety net; if they climb, the envelope will almost certainly need to expand to €250–300m per month to stay credible.
Source: Les Echos, 21 April 2026, Hortense Goulard.