This afternoon, the Parliamentary Committee on Energy approved the extension of the basic energy package until the end of winter. Opposition party N-VA abstained.
The federal government already decided in September to provide a basic energy package to help offset the high energy bills. This concerns an amount of 135 euros for gas and 61 euros for electricity for the months of November and December.
Also in January, February and March intervention
During the budget conclave in October, the government decided to extend the package until the end of winter. Households therefore also receive an intervention of just under 100 euros per month for gas and electricity in January, February and March.
The government can still decide until the end of December to reduce that amount if energy prices fall sharply, but that does not seem to be possible at the moment.
N-VA abstinence
The draft by Minister of Energy Tinne Van der Straeten (Green) that regulates the extension of the basic energy package was given the green light this afternoon in the Parliamentary Committee on Energy. This was done with the support of all parties, although the N-VA abstained. The Flemish nationalists regret that people who heat on electricity have to make do with 30 euros a month and that the premium is not aimed at the households that need it most.
For whom?
Everyone with a variable energy contract or with a permanent contract that dates from after the sharp price increases automatically receives the basic package via the invoice, although taxes must be paid above a certain income threshold. Second homes are not eligible, but people with a collective meter – such as in old apartment buildings – are.
The bill must now be given the green light in the plenary session.
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