The poverty rate in mainland France reached its highest level in at least 30 years in 2023, according to official figures just released by the INSEE statistics agency. Over 12 million people are estimated to be living below the poverty line. "This is a dramatic situation that calls for urgent action," the head of Collectif Alerte tells AFP, adding that the anti-poverty coalition is urging the government not to freeze social benefit increases. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES