'Punch ends talks with rival M&B'

The board of Mitchells & Butlers is set to come under renewed shareholder pressure after Punch Taverns abruptly ended all contacts with its UK pub rival. The move comes after weeks of potential merger offers and counter-proposals from the two pub groups that have become increasingly hostile in their dealings with each other - Financial Times​

Boris Johnson says he wants the smoking ban overturned. The Tory mayoral candidate wants local authorities to have discretion to allow smoking in pubs and clubs - London Lite​

The true, devastating scale of rising prices is revealed today - the new Daily Mail Cost of Living Index reveals food prices rising at six times official figure - Daily Mail​

Scottish MP Nigel Griffiths has launched a Private Members Bill calling for tighter curbs on the marketing of unhealthy foods to children - Daily Mail​

More than 80 per cent of people believe junk food advertising is making it difficult to feed children a healthy diet, according to research - Daily Express​

One in three meat products sold in supermarkets and High Street butchers could be misleadingly labelled, a survey has revealed - Daily Mail​

The increasing number of suburban supermarkets is creating health problems for those living in inner city "urban food deserts", according to research. The proliferation of supermarkets on city outskirts has led to a decline of decent food outlets in the centre, a study published today discloses - Daily Telegraph​

A number of US states are considering legislation to lower the legal drinking age from the current standard of 21 - if only to allow troops coming home from Iraq to drink - The Guardian​

The prospect of the largest state intervention in financial markets in British history prompted warnings yesterday that taxpayers could face a huge bill following the credit crunch - The Independent​