French Government Denies Rumors of Cuts to RSA and APL Ahead of 2027 Budget

Amidst swirling rumors and public concern, French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has firmly denied plans to cut student housing assistance (APL) or freeze the active income support (RSA) as the government prepares the budget for 2027. Speaking ahead of the political rentrée on August 20, 2026, Lecornu clarified that such measures are false and that budget decisions will be made transparently.

This denial comes against a backdrop of fiscal challenges, with the government confronting a significant budget deficit of €107 billion in the first half of 2026. Economy Minister Roland Lescure has proposed revisiting pension policies, including a partial freeze for wealthier retirees, as part of efforts to bolster fiscal recovery, though no concrete decisions have been finalized.

A recent government-commissioned report suggesting revisions to APL eligibility that would factor in parental income has raised alarms among student organizations, with concerns that over 200,000 students could lose support. Health Minister Stéphanie Rist also voiced worries about the sufficiency of a proposed social VAT to address funding gaps.

Lecornu dismissed fears fueled by inaccurate information, emphasizing that while government policy can and should be subject to criticism, spreading unfounded rumors is unhelpful. He expressed a sober outlook on the government's ability to meet the target budget deficit of 5% of GDP, indicating a challenging path ahead.

The government's stance highlights a commitment to transparency and careful deliberation over social welfare policy decisions as France approaches a politically sensitive budget season.