'Under-age drinking blamed for violent "ladette" culture'
Crimes by girls aged between 10 and 17 jumped 22 per cent in four years in England and Wales, with a "ladette" culture linked to under-age drinking being blamed. There were big percentage increases in the arrests of young girls for violent attacks and for public order offences - The Times
A peer who is paid by drinks companies tabled amendments to water down proposed laws on making alcohol carry health warnings for pregnant women.The private member's bill last year sought to impose mandatory rules on drinks labelling, including prison sentences of up to two years for executives of companies who failed to comply. Lady Coussins argued that the new regulations would be a burden on small business and that it was not necessary to have all labels carry health warnings - The Financial Times
Mitchells & Butlers said main meals for as little as £3.50 were helping to draw in customers during the economic downturn.Despite the weakening eating-out market, Mitchells - owner of All Bar One - said like-for-like food sales grew 2.6 per cent in the first 17 weeks of its financial year - The Scotsman
The Dukedom Group chain, which is based in Stockton-on-Tees, is making the penny-a-pint offer at six of its pubs for customers who also buy a spirit. It said the move was aimed at helping hard-pressed drinkers during the recession. However, the offer was criticised by Dari Taylor, the Labour MP for Stockton South, and the campaign group Alcohol Concern, both of whom said it could encourage binge-drinking - The Telegraph
High visibility jackets are to be circulated among rural pubs in a bid to reduce the numbers of pedestrians and cyclists being killed on Irish roads. The Road Safety Authority said some 30,000 high-visibility jackets are to be provided for rural pub users under the initiative which is supported by the Vintners Federation of Ireland and FBD Insurance. Pub customers are not supposed to keep the vests, but to return them to the pub for another person to use. - Irish Times
