Total boss dies in Russia plane crash The charismatic boss of French oil giant Total has died after his private plane hit a snowplough at a >> Page 10 Russian airport.
Limousin November 2014 - Issue #61
France clashes with Europe over budget
NEWS - 4G signal arrives in Creuse
Despite price increases and spending cuts, France has fallen short of implementing further austerity measures and will now fail to bring its budget deficit within European limits. The decision may well be challenged by the European Commission.
NEWS - John Lewis boss sparks controversy
Sapin said that “very weak growth and very weak inflation” would make further austerity measures counter productive. In theory, since 2013, the European Commission has the power to force France to revise its budget if it deems it has overstepped public spending limits, but the finance minister believes that France has nothing to be worried about and has met all of its budgetary requirements. “France has never, ever made this much of an effort,” he said. “France has never cut this much and the tax cuts for businesses and households are exactly what we announced last spring.” The European Commission says it is waiting for France to formally sub-
While many may not yet have a 3G signal, 4G has finally arrived in Creuse... as long as you live in Guéret! >> Page 3
Andy Street, boss of John Lewis, caused a diplomatic incident in October when he described France as a "sclerotic" country where "nothing works". >> Page 12
Bilingual - The red telephone box
It is synonymous with Britain and the design remained the same for decades. But what does the future hold for the iconic British telephone box? >> Page 16 © François Mortier
F
rance risks getting into hot water with the European Commission after the 2015 budget was unveiled by Finance Minister Michel Sapin. Despite containing price rises and spending cuts, the budget stops short of introducing full-blown austerity measures, with the government admitting that it will not now meet the EU's demands that member countries' budget deficits do not exceed 3%. Under the figures revealed in the 2015 budget, France will reduce its deficit from the current rate of 4.4% to 4.3% next year and 3.8% in 2016; the country's budget deficit will not hit the 3% target until 2017. Unveiling the budget,
INSIDE > > >
>> continued on page 8
The Bugle Business Directory
In parts of the Limousin, La Poste will only be equiping half its vans with winter tyres this year >> Page 3
Develop a habit that saves you money!
8 pages of listings for local English-speaking businesses - your essential guide to finding just what you’re looking for. >> Pages 20-27
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