French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe on Tuesday announced new concessions to "yellow vest" protesters, including the suspension for six months of planned tax increases raising the price of fuel.

"No tax merits putting the unity of the nation in danger," Philippe said in a televised address, adding that the anger on the streets "originates from a profound injustice: of not being able to live with dignity from one's work". He also announced that increases in the cost of gas and electricity, also set to take effect from January 1, would be suspended for three months during the winter months. Philippe added that a tightening of the technical assessment for cars, which was set to penalise heavily polluting older vehicles, would also be suspended for six months.