France mulls €600M cut to back-to-school allowance in 2027 budget

The French government is reportedly considering a €600 million reduction to the back-to-school allowance (ARS) as part of the 2027 budget, framed as a 'refocusing' of the benefit. The measure would primarily affect modest-income families, reviving concerns about social-policy retrenchment. The proposal is at an early stage and subject to political negotiation.