Popular lunch offer nearly four pounds for non-Clubcard members
By Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco
courtesy of Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco
Supermarket giant Tesco has announced changes to their popular sandwich, snack, and drink meal deal as food costs rise across the UK. The cost of the meal deal for Clubcard members, whom Tesco claims make up seven in ten of their customers, has increased 13% from £3 to £3.40. For non-Clubcard members, the cost of the meal deal will increase from £3.50 to £3.90.
Tesco’s new meal deal prices, previously unchanged for Clubcard members since 2012, reflect a continued trend among UK supermarkets, with several other large shops increasing prices of their lunchtime offer during the last year; including Morrisons and Co-Op. Food costs across the UK are rising at their highest rate in 42 years, as inflation continues to increase throughout the country.
For students at UoA, the increased Tesco meal deal price is still less expensive than most offerings at cafes like Kilau, Shelter, and Grub; as well as many items at Subway and the University food court. Yet, these businesses provide hot food, something that is not offered at the Tescos express shop at 472 King Street, across the street from the University and next to the Bobbin. The increased prices demonstrate the impact of the increasing cost of living squeeze as winter prepares to descend on the Granite City.
According to a BBC survey of people across the UK, 85% of respondents are concerned about increased cost of living, up from 69% last January. Furthermore, the survey found that 90% of people will attempt to conserve energy by waiting to heat their homes and 60% will cut back on Christmas celebrations this December.
Sai Shraddha S. Viswanathan, Students’ Union Vice President for Welfare, told The Gaudie that AUSA was working with the University to mitigate the effects of the cost of living crisis on the student population. On the issue of rising food costs, she commented: ‘We are currently working on the logistics of expanding our Foodsharing Hub to allow more donations from shops and warm food donations from the University’s catering outlets.'
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