Sky News: Tesco to open Clubcard to under-18s as readers report 'two-hour queues, utter chaos' at new EU entry system
Sky News coverage highlights two fresh consumer stories today: readers have shared accounts of long delays and confusion around a new EU entry system, and Tesco has announced a review that intends to make its Clubcard available to under-18s this year.
Sky News readers describe EU entry chaos
Readers responding to a Money blog thread have described the new EU entry system as creating "two-hour queues" and "utter chaos. " The blog invited people to share their experiences of the system and to read what others are saying. The post formed part of a wider Money blog that also featured a weekly Savings Guide, including a piece on how parents could save toward university costs to help prevent crippling debt.
The same coverage also noted wider economic items in the blog: there are discussions about a possible delay to plans to raise the minimum wage for 18 to 20-year-olds to the same level as other adults, and fresh figures showing high youth unemployment have been highlighted. The Money blog referenced a figure showing the unemployment rate for 16 to 24-year-olds at 16. 1% and stated that almost 950, 000 people in that age group were not in employment, education, or training in a recent quarter. It also set out the current minimum wage levels for younger and older workers.
Tesco review could widen Clubcard access this year
Tesco has said it is actively reviewing its Clubcard scheme with the intention of making Clubcard available to under-18s this year. The move follows sustained campaigning urging supermarkets to lift what campaigners called unfair restrictions that prevent millions from accessing loyalty discounts on the basis of age, address or digital access requirements.
The supermarket has said customers without a Clubcard can still find value through its Aldi Price Match and Everyday Low Prices schemes while the review proceeds. The review comes after pressure from consumer campaigners that led to the supermarket missing a recommended status on two occasions for not making discounts available to everyone. The change, if implemented promptly, would allow younger shoppers to access the loyalty discounts that can represent significant savings on a typical shop.
What these developments mean for consumers
Both stories land on a common theme: access and friction. The EU entry system thread highlights how procedural changes can translate into long waits and confusion for people in transit, while the Clubcard review addresses barriers that stop younger shoppers from benefiting from routine retail discounts. The Money blog element of the first story also ties into personal finance pressures: guidance on saving for university and discussion of wage policy underline the broader cost-of-living and employment context shaping consumer choices.
For shoppers, Tesco's stated intention to extend Clubcard eligibility promises clearer, more equitable access to loyalty savings if the retailer follows through. For travellers, the stream of reader reports about delays in the EU entry system points to operational problems that regulators and operators will need to address to restore smooth movement.
Sky News readers and money blog contributors remain a key source of on-the-ground feedback about the real-world impact of policy and retail changes, and today's combined coverage underlines how both transport systems and retail rules can have immediate effects on household budgets and daily life.
