'Labour U-turn on compulsory ID cards'

In a dramatic break with years of Labour policy, the new Home Secretary last night scrapped plans for compulsory ID cards. Alan Johnson said the scheme - which has already cost as much as £200million - would always remain voluntary. The project will now focus on persuading youngsters to pay £30 for a card so they can prove their age when trying to buy alcohol in pubs and bars - Daily Mail ​

Drinks giant Diageo was this morning set to announce a major restructuring of its Scottish operations, sparking fears of job losses and plant closures north of the Border. Workers at Diageo's 50 Scottish sites were yesterday told to meet at their place of work at 8:45am where they are to be informed of a "review" of the firm's Scottish operations - which is likely to include significant numbers of job cuts - Scotsman ​

Alochol is killing one Scot every three hours, figures showed yesterday as the leader of Scotland's doctors challenged MSPs to support plans to increase the price of cheap drinks. The new study found that one in 20 deaths in Scotland is linked to alcohol - twice the level previously estimated - Scotsman ​

The country's smallest companies, hit hard by the credit crunch and the recession, are experiencing a tentative recovery, according to new figures from the Federation of Small Businesses. A survey of 4,400 FSB members carried out at the end of last month found that 57 per cent were "quite confident" about the future prospects of their business, while 68 per cent said that they planned to grow in the next six months - FT​

Four out of five business leaders say their companies maintained or increased spending on training in the past six months, rather than slashing it as in previous recessions - FT​

Rules banning restaurants from using waiters' tips to pay the minimum wage were approved by MPs yesterday - The Mirror ​

Britain baked in sizzling 32C heat yesterday as temperatures verged on the tropical. Forecasters said it was the hottest day of the year so far - and warned it may rise further to 33C today - The Mirror ​