The protective mechanisms for heating are valid only until the end of the year, which means that we may greet 2024 with bill increases – writes “Dziennik Gazeta Prawna” on Monday. Decisions regarding the possible extension of the functioning of the protective mechanisms will be made by the new parliament.
The article reminds that at the end of the year the protective mechanisms for households and the so-called sensitive entities, protecting them against the effects of drastic increases in energy resources.
The currently applicable protective solutions include a limit on increases (40%) in heat prices for households and institutions such as schools or hospitals, as well as refunds VAT for gas due to sensitive customers heating with gaseous fuels.
What about guard mechanisms?
According to the Ministry of Climate and Environment, the situation on the energy market was significantly improving compared to last year. “Energy prices are currently significantly lower than the prices observed at the most critical moment in 2022.” – assessed the ministry. It was also noted that the final decisions on tariffs for the next year will be made by the Energy Regulatory Office, and not the companies themselves.
“Will the protective solutions in force this year for households and so-called sensitive entities, protecting them against the effects of drastic increases in energy resources, be continued in 2024?” – we read. The daily asked the Ministry of Climate and Environment about this, which in response assured that it was prepared for such an eventuality.
“The Ministry of Environmental Protection has prepared such solutions in several variants also for the future, including ready-made laws. Decisions regarding the possible extension of the functioning of the protective mechanisms will be made by the new parliament,” the ministry emphasized.
Three important decisions
The new government, soon after its formation, will have to deal with three more issues that will affect our wallets. This concerns the issue of VAT rates on food, electricity prices and gas. Coverage programs in this matter are also valid only until the end of 2023.
Zero VAT applies to some food products only until the end of the year. Its extension is a matter of regulation, i.e. a decision of the Minister of Finance, but also of changes to the budget act for next year.
Also until the end of the year, there is a statutory freezing of electricity prices at the 2022 level up to certain annual consumption limits: 3 megawatt hours (MWh) per year for a household, 3.6 MWh for households with people with disabilities and 4 MWh for families with a Large Card. Families and farmers. After exceeding consumption limits, consumers are billed for each subsequent kilowatt-hour of energy consumed according to the tariff rates or price lists applicable that year.
A similar situation applies to gas prices. For 2023, the Act introduced a maximum the price of natural gas at the level of PLN 200 net/MWh. The amount of distribution fees has also been frozen.
The new government will most likely arrive at the end of December
Although the Civic Coalition, Third Way and New Left declare their willingness to form a common government with Donald Tusk at the helm, President Andrzej Duda decided to entrust the mission of creating a new cabinet to the current Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki. The maximum deadline for appointing the head of government in this mode is November 27. The Prime Minister would then have until December 11 to present an expose and obtain a vote of confidence in his government.
If the newly appointed Council of Ministers does not gain the trust of the Sejm, then the MPs will take the initiative to form a new government. The representative of the parliamentary majority may become prime minister. The maximum time to form a government is then December 25. There won’t be much time for key decisions in this situation.
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