Tesco has faced a furious reaction after announcing meal deal prices will increase for the third consecutive year. The offer now costs £3.85 for Clubcard members and £4.25 for regular shoppers - a 25p rise that has sparked outrage across social media and even drawn political condemnation.
Liberal Democrat MP Joshua Reynolds (Maidenhead) blasted the supermarket giant over the move. Sharing a post on X that described the rise as "truly devastating" and "hardly a deal", the 26-year-old politician declared: "National outrage! Recall Parliament!"
Social media followers rallied behind Reynolds' dramatic response. One supporter said the issue "deserves to be mentioned in the PMQs" while another admitted it was "one of the very few times" they had supported a Liberal Democrat calling for parliamentary recall.
Customer backlash intensifies
Many shoppers have voiced fury at the price hike, claiming the iconic lunchtime combo isn't quite the money-saver it used to be. Some questioned whether the 'deal' part of the title should be scrapped entirely, while others declared they would boycott the products.
The most popular meal combination - a Chicken Club Sandwich, Egg Protein Pot and 500ml Coca-Cola - would cost £6.50 if purchased separately. This still provides Clubcard members with a saving of £2.65 under the new pricing structure.
Tesco defends value proposition
A Tesco spokesperson defended the move, stating: "Our meal deal remains great value and the ideal way to grab lunch on-the-go at just £3.85 for a main, snack and drink when bought with a Clubcard. With more than 20m possible combinations, the Tesco meal deal has got something for every taste, from a classic Chicken Club Sandwich to Tesco Korean Style Chicken Dragon Rolls."
The supermarket has also revealed new premium products including a Finest Salmon Konbini Roll and Finest Gochujang Konbini Roll as part of the enhanced range.
Price increase timeline
The latest rise follows a clear pattern of annual increases. In February 2022, prices first rose from £3 to £3.50 for non-Clubcard members while Clubcard prices remained at £3.
October 2022 saw another increase, with costs rising to £3.40 for Clubcard holders and £3.90 for non-Clubcard customers. August 2024 brought further rises to £3.60 for Clubcard members and £4 for regular customers, making this week's announcement the third consecutive year of increases.
Sources used: "WalesOnline", "Daily Star", "Chronicle Live" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
