Austria to use €500 million in windfall taxes to help struggling households

 
Some €500 million in taxes energy companies have to pay on excess profits will be used  to help citizens struggling to pay their heating bills and housing costs, Finance Minister Magnus Brunner announced in Vienna on Wednesday.

Of the €500 million, €450 million will be distributed to Austria’s nine states so they assist citizens with their heating bills, though states can modify the scheme largely at will.

“Maintaining purchasing power in Austria is our highest priority,” explained Brunner, adding that every person is to receive about €200-400, saying it is “a matter of fairness”.

It will certainly benefit people with low incomes, stressed Health Minister Johannes Rauch. (...)