budget deficit

France recorded a budget deficit of 6.61 billion euros in January, down on the same date in 2007 (a deficit of 5.69 billion), but an improvement over the same date in 2006 (a deficit of 6.79 billion euros), according to the Ministry of Budget, Public Accounts and Public Service.

'Comparisons of balances from one year to another, however, are irrelevant at this stage of the year' says the press release.

Regarding the general budget expenditure, they amounted to 21.50 billion euros from 20.80 billion a year earlier, that increase is original calendar, said the ministry.

Net revenue for its part stood at 18.02 billion euros in the first months of the year from 20.14 billion euros in January 2007.

'The decrease in net revenue from the general budget is primarily due to the levy on income to the budget of the European Communities, representing an increase of 1.7 billion euros compared with that done in January 2007 that it ava been particularly weak response to a refund of an overpayment made under 2006 'says the ministry.

At constant scope, the net tax revenues fall at the end of January, a decline of -0.6% over the same period last year.