'SNP's cheap alcohol crackdown blocked by opposition'

Alex Salmond was dealt another major setback last night after it emerged his plans to crack down on cheap alcohol have been blocked by opposition parties. The First Minister's controversial proposals to introduce minimum prices for alcohol and ban drinks promotions are likely to be delayed until next year - The Telegraph​

A nightclub selling double shots of spirits and bottles of booze for less than half the normal price has been criticised for encouraging binge drinking. Metros in Cardiff city centre - a popular venue for students - runs the promotion every Wednesday during an event it calls Cheapskates. The club, in Bakers Row off Wharton Street, advertises doubles of spirits for just £1.28 - well under the £3.60 or more charged at other city centre pubs - and bottles of booze from just 99p - a third of the price in other pubs - Wales Online​

Clive Cowdery, the financial services entrepreneur, is being probed by the City watchdog over the £5billion sale of his closed life insurance business to pubs-to-pizza tycoon Hugh Osmond - The Daily Express​

Ministers should let struggling businesses fail, according to Gordon Brown's former strategy chief. Stephen Carter said it was not the role of Government to ensure that companies hit by the downturn stay alive - The Daily Mail​

Britain's biggest nightclub operator has made Robert McDonald, formerly of Punch Taverns and Allied Domecq, its finance director. He replaces Nick Beighton, who has joined Asos, the online fashion retailer - The Times​