'Cheap alcohol ban will hit wine drinkers most'

Wine drinkers will be hit hardest by a proposal to ban cut-price alcohol promotions in supermarkets and off-licences, according to government-commissioned research published yesterday. The Sheffield University study says a ban on discounts of more than 30 per cent, such as "three for the price of two" offers, would affect wine consumption most, but have little effect on cheaper alcohol, such as lager and beers, selling for less than 30p a unit - The Guardian​

The Bank of England is expected to cut interest rates later to their lowest for more than half a century. Economists and business leaders have called for a one percentage point cut to two per cent - a level not seen since 1951 - to prevent the downturn deepening - BBC News​

Drunk patients who attack staff at a Lancashire hospital could be banned from pubs in the surrounding area. The A&E department at Chorley and South Ribble Hospital has been included in the local Pubwatch initiative, which bans abusive drinkers from its pubs. Health bosses hope the threat will act as a deterrent against abuse of NHS staff, which is becoming more common - BBC News​

A church minister has told of his plans to reach out to people this Christmas - by holding a service in a pub. The Christmas Eve service will see members of the congregation of St Matthew's Church in Perth move into the neighbouring Capital Asset pub. Customers will be invited to join in with carol singing and worship in the Watchnight service, scheduled to start at 11.30pm - Press Association​

"Beer goggles" which mimic the effects of drunkenness will be used in schools and youth centres to highlight the problems drinking can cause. The goggles give youngsters around Windsor and Maidenhead the chance to experience what it is like to be intoxicated, the council said. They impair the wearer's responses by making it difficult to see clearly. The council's drug and alcohol action team plans to loan several pairs to schools and youth centres - BBC News​