payments

They thought they saw signs of fraudulent payments.

But the Senedd's climate change, environment and infrastructure committee heard repeatedly that these payments fell "far short" of covering the true cost of the damage and disruption.

In a budget for 2026 he proposed to scrap two national holidays and freeze welfare payments and pensions, with the aim of saving €44 billion.

Bayrou says young people will be saddled with years of debt payments "for the sake of the comfort of boomers", if France fails to tackle a national debt of 114% of its annual economic output.

He said the leadership needed to to the party more, pointing to internal rows over winter fuel payments and disability benefits, adding that MPs opposed to the government's plans should not be "punished".