Tesco raises meal deal price as food costs soar

Tesco has raised the price of its meal deal as food costs soar.

The sandwich, snack and drink deal will jump to more than £3 for the first time in 10 years to £3.40 for Tesco clubcard members, and from £3.50 to £3.90 for people who do not have one.

Tesco said its meal deal still represented "great value".

The supermarket said more than 70% of its customers currently use a clubcard, which is a free card that gives customers discounts.

In February, Tesco upped the price of its meal deal from £3 to £3.50 for non-clubcard members, but the latest rise marks the first time the popular lunch choice has gone over £3 for all customers.

Tesco's competitors, such as Sainsbury's and Co-op, offer similar meal deals at £3.50 and £4 respectively.

Companies are facing increased costs for things like fuel, wages and ingredients, and many firms are now passing those onto customers by raising prices.

In July, McDonald's put up the price of its cheeseburger for the first time in more than 14 years, from 99p to £1.19, due to growing cost pressures.

Households have seen food costs rise at the fastest rate since 1980 - with bread, cereal, meat and dairy prices all climbing.

The rise in the price of everyday food items and goods has been been accelerated by the war in Ukraine, which has hit grain, oil and fertiliser supplies.

Food and drink prices have also been affected by a fall in the value of the pound, which has made imported products and ingredients from abroad more expensive.

A BBC survey has uncovered growing concern about the squeeze on finances. Some 85% of those asked are now worried about the rising cost of living, up from 69% in a similar poll in January.

As a result, nine in 10 people are trying to save money by delaying putting the heating on and three in five people in the UK will cut back this Christmas.