'Alcohol minimum pricing plan 'all but dead', claim Scottish Tories'

SNP ministers' attempt to introduce a minimum price for alcohol is "all but dead" following a Holyrood debate on the measure, the Tories have claimed. Nicola Sturgeon, the Scottish health minister, is relying on the support of Labour's 46 MSPs to win the parliamentary majority she needs to implement the change. Labour is still officially considering the arguments for and against the plan, but a series of the party's MSPs used a debate to state their strong opposition - Daily Telegraph ​

The minimum drinking age should be increased to 21 and the price of alcohol tripled in order to tackle what will soon be the "biggest killer" in modern society, claimed the sacked head of the government's drug advisory body - Daily Telegraph ​

Britain's biggest beer maker is launching a "new weapon" in the battle to beat binge-drinking. Scottish & Newcastle is spending £2million on new pint glasses showing how many units of alcohol are in its drinks. The scheme will start later this month, with 1.8million new-look Foster's pint glasses in pubs and clubs by March - Mirror​

Hollywood funnyman Will Ferrell fancies being the landlord of a traditional British pub. The Anchorman actor - a big Blues fan - hopes to snap up a Chelsea boozer the next time he is in London. The 42-year-old said: "All the Chelsea players would be welcome, but I wouldn't want a celebrity place, it would be an old-fashioned pub. "I would be handson. I could get some great material off all the regulars. I am sure there would be a film in it." - The Sun ​

Snow Patrol were on jovial form as they played an intimate acoustic set at their local pub last night. Frontman Gary Lightbody might need some convincing, but he could consider a move into stand-up after his joke-filled set sent punters away smiling. The gig was to mark the release of the band's new compilation album, Up To Now, out on Monday - The Sun ​