'SNP threatens to tax supermarkets in war on booze culture'

The Scottish Government is preparing to take on supermarkets and off-licences in the battle against alcohol abuse. It wants retailers to pay a levy to help meet the social cost of the country's "bevvy culture". Proposals for a "polluter pays" charge have been extended from pubs and clubs to include every shop that sells alcohol in Scotland, amid a growing perception among ministers and senior officials that retailers are fuelling crime and anti-social behaviour by selling liquor- The Scotsman​

Children who try to buy wine and beer have only a one in 282,000 chance of being punished, it has been claimed - The Telegraph​

Alarming increases in the cost of food and other goods were revealed in a new set of economic figures yesterday. The prices companies must pay for raw materials soared at an annual rate of 18.9 per cent in January, the highest since records began 22 years ago - Daily Mail​

Food crops could be ravaged this century by an explosion in the numbers of insect pests caused by rising global temperatures, according to scientists who have carried out an exhaustive survey of plant damage when the earth last experienced major climate change - The Independent ​

Two leaders of an underage binge drinking gang which terrorised a neighbourhood were given Asbos yesterday. Christian Frodsham, 13, and Nathan Greenhalgh, 14, led a teenage mob which held illicit boozing sessions in Bolton - The Mirror​

An Army laptop packed with secret information has been handed to The Sun after a dozy officer left it in a pub. It contains personal details of more than 200 soldiers, plus data on their movements, military exercises and weapons store locations - The Sun​

Thousands of animals are suffering appalling conditions as they are transported live over long distances to slaughter, leading animal welfare charities said as they launched a global campaign to end the trade - Daily Express​