The discounts you can get if you’re an emergency worker

The start of a new year tends to be an incredibly busy time for the thousands of emergency workers around the UK. The festive period as a whiole often brings busier emergency rooms and more calls being made to police and emergency services, putting increasing strain on already overstretched workers. Workers including nurses and ambulance staff in Wales have recently gone on strike in a row over pay and conditions.

But while low pay and cost increases are causing worry for many households there is a way you can save a little more money through the Blue Light card for emergency workers. The card offers thousands of discounts including clothes, holidays, insurance, and restaurants. Here is everything you need to know about the Blue Light scheme, how you qualify, and the discounts you can get.

Read more: All the money being paid over Christmas to help with food and bills

How do I apply for the Blue Light card?

You can apply for a Blue Light card if you’re an emergency worker online here. The Blue Light scheme costs GBP4.99 to join for two years and you’ll need your work ID or a recent payslip to prove you’re eligible for the service. You will be asked a few questions when applying such as where you work and your job title. It can also take 10 to 14 days to process your application as there is currently high demand.

There is a digital card available on the Blue Light Card app via Google Play or the App Store. It has a useful interactive map feature to help you find local discounts closest to your chosen location as well.

How do I know if I am eligible?

Only those in certain emergency service or key worker roles can apply for a Blue Light Card. They are:

  • Ambulance service
  • Blood bikes
  • Fire service
  • Highways traffic officers
  • HM armed forces
  • HM armed forces veteran
  • HM coastguard
  • HM prison and probation service
  • Home Office (borders and immigration)
  • Independent lifeboats
  • MoD civil servant
  • MoD fire service
  • MoD police
  • NHS
  • NHS dental practice
  • Pharmacy
  • Police
  • Red cross
  • Reserved army forces
  • RNLI
  • Search and rescue
  • Social care
  • St Andrews ambulance
  • St John ambulance

What discounts can I get?

Around 15,000 retailers offers discounts on the Blue Light scheme.

It is important to note that the discounts on the scheme change often and you can keep up to date with the latest deals online. Here are the main discounts as of Thursday, December 22, according to the Mirror. Supermarkets

  • Asda – 10%
  • Iceland – GBP6 off a GBP45 plus shop with free delivery if your shop is more than GBP40 (or GBP2 off if you spend more than GBP60)
  • Morrisons – free Anytime Delivery pass when you do an online shop for more GBP40

Clothes and shoes

Schuh offers a 10% discount while New Look offers Blue Light Members a 20% discount on a purchase of full-priced items both online and in-store. Other retailers listed by Blue Light as offering a discount for members include Apple, Body Shop, Boohoo, Charlotte Tilbury, Halfords, Rayban, Go Outdoors, and many more. Mobile phone discounts

O2, EE, and Vodafone all have discounts for Blue Light members with both O2 and Vodafone giving 25% and 15% discounts on specific plans. For O2 NHS staff can get 25% off their 3GB plans or 15% off their 1GB+ airtime plans and for Vodafone the offer is 25% off selected airtime plans or 15% off sim-only or tablet plans. If you register online at EE with your NHS email address or NHS photo ID card you’ll receive a code for 20% off selected 24-month pay monthly phone, sim, or broadband plans.

With EE’s Blue Light offer you can extend the benefit to up to four of your friends and family. Motor discounts Blue Light members also receive discounts on their cars too with Green Flag giving NHS workers, excluding volunteers, an extra 10% off new breakdown policies.

JustPark, the car park space-finding platform, also gives a 10% discount when signing up to the service with an NHS email address. Eating and dining out Significantly more eateries are offering discounts to NHS staff through Blue Light with Pizza Hut, Beefeater, and Bella Italia giving 25% off meals to healthcare workers.

Nandos, Yo-Sushi, and Frankie and Bennies offer discounts while staff who find themselves at motorway service stations a lot will enjoy the 20% discount on Welcome Break service shops. This 20% is valid at all Welcome Break services and gives discounts at retailers such as Burger King, Chopstix, KFC, Pizza Express, Pret, Subway, Starbucks, and The Good Breakfast. Blue Light card has announced a range of new discounts for December and January including:

  • Avon

  • Beauty Bay

  • Boohoo

  • Butlins

  • Eurocamp

  • Flannels

  • Haven Holidays

  • Hotpoint

  • Lovehoney

  • New Look

  • Ninja

  • Pooch and Mutt

  • Shark

  • Sports Direct

  • The Fragrance Shop

You can get more cost-of-living news and money stories straight to your inbox by subscribing to our newsletters here.

READ NEXT:

alex-and-alexa listed on couponmatrix.ukanker listed on couponmatrix.ukcraftd-london listed on couponmatrix.ukindia-jane listed on couponmatrix.uknicce listed on couponmatrix.ukurbanara listed on couponmatrix.uk
alex-and-alexa listed on couponmatrix.ukDress your little ones to impress with Alex and Alexa. This kidswear brand is the global style destination for boys and girls - combining cutting edge looks with baby-friendly designs, it’s the perfect pick for luxury looks that are still comfortable and functional. With an Alex and Alexa discount code from us, you can save on picks from big names like Chloe, Stella McCartney and Lacoste. Embrace your little one’s personality with Alex and Alexa!
anker listed on couponmatrix.ukCharge faster, charge better. Anker is your go-to for wireless, car and portable chargers, featuring an ultra-sleek design and unprecedented speeds. We’ve tracked down the very best offers, seasonal sales and Anker discount codes to help you upgrade your charging game for less. Power your camping fridge, smartphone, laptop and more—whatever you need, there’s a smart, fast charging device by Anker.
craftd-london listed on couponmatrix.ukCRAFTD London should be on your radar if you’re searching for beautifully-designed men’s jewellery that’s created to be treasured. From minimalist rings to statement pendants, CRAFTD jewellery is both incredible quality and affordable – especially when you shop with a CRAFTD London discount code from Groupon. Find the perfect gift or personal treat in the collection of CRAFTD rings, bracelets and necklaces, and discover modern and high-quality gems without the pesky price markup.
india-jane listed on couponmatrix.ukIndia Jane is a leading retailer of timeless home furnishings, ranging from furniture, to decorative accessories and rugs, you’re guaranteed to love these classic pieces for your home. And with an India Jane discount code, you can save even more on the perfect home pieces. So whether you're looking for new furniture, some beautiful candles or just simply some inspiration for your home, be sure to check out India Jane. At Groupon, we work hard to find the best India Jane discount codes and promo codes so that you can save money on your purchase. We know that Indian-inspired home furnishings can be a bit pricey, so we want to help you get the most for your money. To use an India Jane discount code, simply enter it at checkout when you're shopping on their website. And be sure to check back often, as we update our coupons regularly. Happy shopping! One of our top-performing India Jane products is their beautiful rugs. These rugs are made with the highest quality materials and craftsmanship, and they're sure to add a touch of elegance to any room in your home. And with an India Jane promo code, you can save even more on these timeless pieces. So if you're looking for a way to add some luxury to your home without breaking the bank, be sure to check out India Jane's hand-woven rugs.
nicce listed on couponmatrix.ukFeaturing the very best in minimal design, NICCE is a top contender when it comes to durable (yet stylish) basics. With menswear, womenswear and accessories, and organic and recycled materials to choose from, if you like keeping things simple, NICCE is for you. When you want to find clothing that’s better for the environment without paying a premium, check out our NICCE discount codes. We’ve pulled together all the money-saving tips you’ll need to save on your next shop: think free delivery, student discount and amazing seasonal sales!
urbanara listed on couponmatrix.ukUrbanara is a contemporary home furnishings brand with a focus on quality, craftsmanship and sustainability. Whether you're looking for a new bedding set, a cozy throw blanket, or some stylish new towels, Urbanara has everything you need to make your home look its best. And with our Urbanara voucher codes, you can get all of that and more for less. So don't wait any longer, start shopping at Urbanara today and see how much you can save! At Groupon, we know that saving money is important to our customers. That's why we work hard to find the best voucher codes and discounts for Urbanara products. We want to help you get the items you need and want without breaking the bank, and with our voucher codes, you can do just that. So whether you're looking for a new rug or a new set of dishes, be sure to check Groupon first for all the best deals on Urbanara products. If you're looking at using an Urbanara discount on one of their top-performing products, we highly recommend the Luxury Bamboo Towels. These towels are made from sustainable bamboo and are super soft and absorbent. They're also available in a variety of colours, so you can choose the perfect set for your bathroom. Our voucher code can be used to get an Urbanara discount on your next purchase, whether you're looking for new sofa cushions or some stylish new bedding. Thanks for choosing Urbanara!