Winter break, gas, revaluation of retirement pensions and minimum wage… What changes on November 1

Recap “Le Nouvel Obs” takes stock of the changes taking place from this Friday, November 1.

Increase in the minimum wage and supplementary pensions, drop in the price of gas, winter break and widespread screening for sickle cell anemia for infants… “Le Nouvel Obs” takes stock of what is changing on 1^is November

• Revaluation of the minimum wage

The minimum wage will be increased by 2% and brought to 1,801 euros gross per month, or 1,426.30 euros net (compared to 1,398.69 euros net previously). This automatic revaluation occurs two months before the usual date of 1^is January, in accordance with what Prime Minister Michel Barnier announced during his general policy speech. Please note that no increase in the minimum wage is therefore planned for January 2025.

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• Fall in gas prices

The French will see their gas bills slightly decrease in November compared to the previous month. Prices will be reduced by 1.18%.

In detail, the average price per kilowatt hour (kWh) will increase from 0.111 euros to 0.109 euros for a heating contract and from 0.140 euros to 0.138 euros for small consumptions providing for “cooking” and “hot water”. However, no reduction is expected for subscriptions.

• Increase in supplementary pensions

In October, 850,000 retirees saw their pension increased. At 1^is November, it is the turn of private sector employees' pensions to be revised upwards, to the tune of 1.6%. This slight increase remains lower than the rate of inflation (1.8% according to INSEE data). On average, 13.5 million beneficiaries will be affected.

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• Start of winter break

The winter break begins this Friday: until March 31, tenants cannot be evicted from their accommodation. During this period, the law prohibits evicting the vast majority of tenants from their accommodation. Clearly, even if an expulsion judgment has been pronounced, its implementation is suspended.

There are a few cases in which the truce does not apply: if the tenant has a rehousing solution adapted to their needs or if the person lives in a squat. Please note: a person can also be expelled during this period by court decision in the event of domestic violence or against a child.

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This truce also concerns electricity and gas: for five months, energy suppliers cannot interrupt their services.

• Generalization of screening for sickle cell disease

From a health point of view, “screening for sickle cell disease will be generalized to all newborns as part of the national neonatal screening program”indicated on October 29 the General Directorate of Health, from October 1^is november. It will only require the collection of a few drops of blood.

This hereditary blood disease is “most common” genetic diseases at birth, according to the Ministry of Health. She is also “the leading cause of stroke in children”.

• Obligation to use snow tires in the mountains

The 1^is November marks the entry into force of road safety obligations related to snow. In certain municipalities and mountain departments (the complete list can be found on the Road Safety website), it is compulsory to equip vehicles with winter tires until March 31 or to have chains or snow socks. All French mountain ranges are affected.