After days of waiting for the extension of the works in Budget Commissiontoday the text of the financial maneuver has finally arrived Room. At 1pm the Government placed the vote of confidence, which will take place tomorrow, the Minister for Relations with Parliament, Luca Cirianihe also apologized to the chamber on behalf of the Government “for the delay in starting work this morning”.
The text of the amendments approved to Budget Commission and published by the Research Service of the Chamber of Deputies brings to light new provisions not previously reported.
In addition to the increase in funding for the Bridge over the Strait of Messina the related amendment also provides for spending authorizations in favor of Italian Railway Network (RFI), for the financing of railway projects, as envisaged by the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (Pnrr). The funds for 2025 amount to 482 million euros, while those planned for 2026 are 614 million, for a total of one billion and 96 million. These funds are intended to cover the residual costs and the increased charges deriving from the implementation of the railway interventions envisaged by the Pnrrmanaged by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport (MIT). A total expenditure of one billion euros from 2027 to 2033 has also been authorized for interventions relating to the Turin-Lyon railway connection – international section.
The funds relating to the “1 Giga Italy plan” to improve the ultra-broadband infrastructure in the country (fiber optic connection), particularly in areas with low connectivity. The original plan envisaged up to 220 million contributions for 2027 and the same for ’28 and ’29, now reduced to 200 for ’27 and ’28 and 210 for ’29. The target number of house numbers to be connected has also been reduced, with 149,000 fewer houses.
The paragraphs relating to the inclusion of representatives of the have been deleted Mef in the visionary or trade union boards of the bodies, companies, organizations and foundations that receive contributions from the State. It will be the latter who will verify the use of the amounts received and send an annual report to Mef; given the strong controversy surrounding this measure, a subsequent Prime Ministerial Decree will establish the contribution figure beyond which this mechanism will be activated.
Changes have also been made to the fund relating to subsidized financing for Italian companies that want to invest abroad (Fund 394 with an endowment of 4 billion). More specifically, up to 200 million euros will be made available to “grant subsidized financing to companies that intend to make investments in Central or South America, in order to support productive or commercial investments, investments for capital strengthening, as well as investments in the sectors technological, digital, ecology and training”, we read in dossier of the Research Service. A portion of the fund, within the limit of 200 million euros, will go towards the concession of subsidized financing for companies investing in Africa“with the obligation to present an investment plan in Africa according to the terms and methods established with the resolution of the Facilitation Committee”.
Changes have been introduced to the tax credit for Transition 5.0which supports companies in investing in innovation and energy efficiency. The tax credit can now be attributed not only to businesses, but also to certified energy service companies, for innovation projects carried out at customer sites. Furthermore, the tax credit for investments between 2.5 million and 10 million euros increases from 15% to 35%.
Another amendment also allows Port System Authority to provide financial aid due to the difficulties induced by the naval blockade of the Houthis in the Strait of Bab el Mandeb, as well as other ongoing geopolitical crises. The Port System Authority they can provide economic resources to port labor suppliers and companies authorized to carry out port operations. Each entity can receive a maximum of 2 million euros for each of the years 2024 and 2025. Essentially, this amendment was introduced to support companies operating in Italian ports, affected by the current international crises, by providing them with economic help to face the difficulties.
Finally, the increase in tax rates levied on gambling and betting: from 1 January 2025 there will be increases for machines, fixed-odds sports betting, as well as those on simulated events and horse racing.
