Asda will extend ten per cent discount for frontline workers until at least end of March 2023

Asda has announced it will offer a ten per cent discount for emergency services workers with a Blue Light Card until at least 31 March 2023 to support families ‘during a tough period.’ 

Customers working in NHS, emergency services, social care sector and the armed forces simply need to present a valid Blue Light Card at checkout in store to receive the discount.

Introduced in December 2021, the discount is available in all Asda’s 635 stores across the UK and includes food and drink, George at Asda clothing and homeware, toys and gifts.

The supermarket giant has extended the scheme for frontline workers, which was thought to end at the end of this year, to ‘acknowledge the amazing work they do each day to keep everyone safe’.

Mohsin Issa, Asda’s co-owner, said: ‘We are delighted to have extended our partnership with the Blue Light Card into its third year until the end of March 2023.

‘Our emergency services personnel do an incredible job and we’re happy to be able to continue this discount, along with our own Asda Rewards loyalty scheme and our everyday low prices, into the new year.’

Tom Dalby, CEO at Blue Light Card, said: ‘We’re incredibly proud of our partnership with ASDA and understand how much it means to our members, especially at this time of year. 

‘The exclusive 10 per cent discount across food and soft drinks, George clothing and homeware, toys, gifts and optical helps to support families and individuals across the UK during what is a tough period for many and really highlights ASDA’s appreciation of NHS staff and other frontline workers.’

Asda isn’t the first big brand to continue offering discount to NHS workers during the festive season.

Last week, Starbucks offered free drinks to NHS staff, in a bid to ‘to say an early festive thank you’ for the third year in a row.

Health service workers across the UK were able to grab a Tall beverage if they showed their job ID card.

‘We hope this small gesture gives all NHS workers the opportunity to take a moment to enjoy this festive period and demonstrates our huge appreciation of the NHS for all that they do, all year round,’ Starbucks UK General Manager Alex Rayner said.

The kind gestures come as cases of Strep A are higher than usual for the time of year and NHS services have been left in ‘meltdown‘. 

Parents of sick children are swamping GP practices, A&E units and 111 call centres on top of normal winter pressures which sees extra demand due to the cold weather and flu every year.

Strep A bacteria usually trigger no or mild symptoms but can trigger a range of mild of infections, including impetigo, strep throat and scarlet fever. 

The Royal College of General Practitioners, the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health and the Royal College of Emergency Medicine have urged parents to be on the lookout for early scarlet fever symptoms — including a sore throat, headache, fever, nausea and vomiting.

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