'Society warns of legal hurdle in cheap drink clampdown'

The Scottish government could be overstepping its powers in its bid to tackle problems caused by excessive drinking, according to the Law Society of Scotland. Three main elements of the consultation on changing Scotland's relationship with alcohol are thought to raise questions over which matters are within the parliament's remit - The Herald​

Businesses are leaving champagne on the shelf and opting for cheaper sparkling wines that are more in keeping with the austere economic times, according to Britain's biggest wine warehouse. Majestic Wine said yesterday that a plunge in champagne sales had cut a quarter from first-half profits. The decline was led by companies, as champagne bottles remain firmly sealed across corporate Britain in the wake of the credit crunch - The Times​

The cost of goods produced by British factories fell at a record rate last month, heightening expectations that the Bank of England could cut rates further as inflation tumbles sharply - The Times​

John Dunsmore, the former boss of Scottish & Newcastle, Britain's last big brewer, has joined the ailing Irish cider firm behind Magners as chief executive. He is expected to receive a controversial private equity-style pay deal. C&C Group, which is listed in Ireland and London, is more than 25 times smaller than S&N, which had market leading positions in the UK, France and Russia before it was broken up - The Guardian​

Binge drinking is fast becoming an epidemic among British women and experts believe it is fuelling a rise in alcohol-related violence. The number of women arrested for being drunk is up by more than half in parts of the UK since 2002. Politicians have called for a total ban on "happy hours" and a crackdown on cut-price booze in pubs, clubs and supermarkets. But it is not a view shared by everyone - The Sun​