Inflation rises again in March: according to Istat estimates it stands at +1.2% on an annual basis. An acceleration, explains the Institute of Statistics, due to the increase in the prices of transport-related services, as well as the attenuation of the decline in the prices of energy goods.
Bad news for families, who not only have not seen prices fall after the strong increases recorded in recent years (despite the drop recorded in raw materials, especially in the food sector), but who now have to deal with further increases: according to the estimates of the ONF – National Federconsumatori Observatory, with inflation at these levels, the consequences for an average family amount to +378.00 euros per year.
Repercussions that will continue to affect the purchasing power of families, especially those on low incomes, impacting their consumption choices and forcing them to make sacrifices and sacrifices. According to our findings, compared to last year, the consumption of meat and fish has reduced by over -16%; Furthermore, there is an increasingly massive use of discounts, offers and “last minute” products. Furthermore, this trend will have inevitable repercussions on families’ choices regarding holidays, as the summer period approaches.
It is necessary, at this stage, for the Government to adopt targeted measures to support internal demand, with particular attention to families who find themselves in greatest difficulty, using the resources deriving from the taxation of extra profits and the increase in taxation on transactions financial, for:
- The creation of a Fund to combat energy poverty.
- A reform of VAT rates on consumer goods (which would allow families, according to our estimates, to save over 531.57 euros per year); measure which must be accompanied by careful controls to sanction any speculation.
- Actions to combat inequalities, which involve the renewal of contracts, a fair revaluation of pensions, the structural yield of the tax wedge cut and a fair tax reform, truly aimed at supporting medium-low incomes and not at facilitating higher ones .
