From today, May 5, Lidl is launching Lidl Plus Points, a new rewards system inside the Lidl Plus app that is letting shoppers earn points every time they buy groceries in store.

The biggest draw for many customers is the launch offer. Both new and existing app users are receiving 100 free points, which they can redeem straight away on selected rewards including bananas, cheese twists and chocolate digestives.

100 free points launch offer

The new points system is arriving after customer feedback shows people want more control over how rewards are used.

Instead of fixed discounts, shoppers are now collecting points and swapping them in the app’s marketplace for:

• money-off coupons for future shops
• free or discounted products
• rewards on hundreds of everyday items and middle aisle buys

For regular shoppers, it means every checkout trip is now unlocking extra savings.

Extra savings on fruit

To kick off the launch, Lidl is also doubling the reward rate on fresh produce.

Between 5 May and 22 May, shoppers are earning double points on all fruit purchases, helping points build faster during everyday grocery shops.

To grab attention, Lidl is teaming up with Liberty X for a playful campaign.

The group is releasing “Just a Lidl…”, a remake of their early 2000s hit, with a music video set inside a Lidl store and packed with nods to the supermarket’s famous middle aisle.

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At a time when food prices are continuing to put pressure on household budgets, the new scheme is giving shoppers another way to stretch their money further.

For anyone already using the Lidl Plus app, the launch is effectively meaning free rewards from the moment the scheme goes live.

And for shoppers who have not checked the app recently, there is now a clear reason to take another look.

As previously reported by this newspaper, the much-loved adventure playground in Grandpont is at risk after being hit with a large and unexpected repair bill for an access ramp and a drop in donations.

The charity that operates South Oxford Adventure Playground (SOAP), located off Whitehouse Road, has warned it can no longer afford to open for after-school sessions due to its funding challenges.

For more than five decades, the green space has provided a free, exciting and supervised space to play for children and young people across the city and beyond.

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However, a recent inspection revealed the wooden ramp providing essential access to the site’s hut and toilets is rotten and requires urgent, costly replacement.

Without these repairs, the charity cannot safely host many community groups or school visits.

Naomi Waite, chair of the SOAP Committee, said: “Our adventure playground is the beating heart of the community.

“Children love coming here after school and during the holidays – it’s a safe space where they can have fun, make friends and stay off screens!

“We work tirelessly to secure grants, but it’s getting harder year by year. When we are hit with large unexpected repair bills, we are forced to cut back on our opening times. It is a heartbreaking decision that nobody wants to make.”

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The charity, which is run by volunteers, has already been forced to reduce its school holiday hours.

To prevent further closures, SOAP is issuing an urgent appeal for both donations and new committee members.

They are seeking locals who can assist with anything from fundraising and grant applications to site maintenance and administration.

Ms Waite added: “We desperately need people who can spare even a little time.

Whether it’s managing our team of young playworkers or helping with odd jobs around the site, every bit of help ensures we can keep our gates open for the next generation.”

Children of all ages, backgrounds and abilities are welcome at SOAP.

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Those aged between 7 and 15 years old can visit without any adults on certain days once they have registered online.

The playground is open on some days during school holidays between Easter and October half-term.

There is also a popular youth club which runs on Thursday evenings throughout the year, and regularly welcomes more than 40 young people in Years 7, 8 and 9.

Members of the public can support the “Save SOAP” campaign on its LocalGiving page.

The updated VAT road fuel scale charges applies from May 1 2026, and drivers using company cars for personal journeys now have to apply the new rates when calculating VAT.

Instead of tracking mileage, a fixed charge applied based on:

• The car’s CO₂ emissions
• The VAT accounting period

Monthly costs range from £54 for low-emission cars up to £190 for higher-emission vehicles, with annual charges approaching £2,300.

A busy year for drivers

The VAT change lands during what has been described as a major year of reform for motorists, with research from Carwow highlighting a wave of new rules, rising costs and tighter enforcement.

Digital driving licences rollout

Driving licences began shifting toward a digital format in 2026, with full rollout expected by 2027. Physical licences remained valid, but drivers were urged to keep their details updated online to avoid issues.

Increased enforcement on the roads

Police and authorities expanded the use of automatic number plate recognition cameras to detect:

• Untaxed vehicles
• Cars without a valid MOT

This shift meant drivers faced a higher risk of penalties if paperwork was not up to date.

Electric car tax changes

Electric vehicles were no longer fully tax-free. From April 2025, standard road tax applied from the second year of ownership.

From April 2026, the expensive car supplement threshold increased from £40,000 to £50,000 for zero-emission vehicles, reducing the number of EV drivers affected by the extra charge.

Fuel duty changes looming

Further cost increases are expected later in the year:

Fuel duty is set to rise from September 2026, ending the long-standing 5p cut

• Company car tax for electric vehicles increased from 3% to 4% from April 2026
• High-emission vehicles faced rates of up to 37%

Motability scheme updates

Changes to the Motability scheme included:

• Removal of some luxury vehicles
• Higher VAT and insurance costs on Advance Payment vehicles from July 2026
• Continued exemptions for wheelchair accessible vehicles

London driving costs increased

The Transport for London Congestion Charge rose on 2 January 2026:

• Standard daily charge increased to £18
• Late payment rose to £21
• EV discounts were reduced to 25%

Polling suggested many drivers began avoiding certain routes due to rising charges.

From November 2026, all new vehicles were required to meet Euro 7 emissions standards, tightening limits on pollution.

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Siobhan Doyle, Consumer Writer at Carwow, said: “2026 is a big year for drivers because so many changes touch everyday life, from what you pay to how closely rules are enforced.

“Some updates are already in place, like the Congestion Charge increase in London, while others land later in the year. There are also road safety measures being discussed, but drivers should treat those as proposals until anything is confirmed.

“The simplest way to stay on the right side of the rules is to keep the basics watertight. Make sure your licence details are up to date and set reminders for your MOT, tax and insurance, because enforcement is becoming more automated and it’s easier than ever to get caught out.”

Learner driver rule changes and theory test updates

New rules required learners to give at least 10 working days’ notice to cancel or reschedule a driving test. Instructors also lost the ability to book tests on behalf of learners, part of efforts to improve fairness and data security.

Learner drivers also faced updated theory tests, including questions on:

• CPR
• Using a defibrillator

There are also consultations this year on potential new rules, including:

• Tougher drink-driving limits
• Eyesight tests for drivers over 70
• Stricter penalties for offences like not wearing a seatbelt

These proposals are not yet law but signalled possible future changes.