'Alcohol price controls suggested by World Health Organisation'

Minimum price controls should be imposed on alcohol and tougher drink-driving laws introduced, policy options circulated by the World Health Organisation (WHO) suggest. Details in the global consultation process have emerged as the government is resisting demands from health professionals for alcohol to become more expensive - Guardian ​

Enterprise Inns, the pub group, expects another difficult year as the recession combines with cut-price supermarket alcohol to limit consumers' spending in pubs. Britain's second-largest pub owner said that profits had fallen by 21 per cent to £208 million in the year to September 30 as consumers reined in their spending - The Times ​

Admiral Taverns has confirmed that Lloyds Banking Group is working on a financial restructuring of the struggling pubs group that is thought to involve a £600m debt-for-equity swap - Independent ​

A Tory government will give police powers to hand out on-the-spot hard labour punishments to street yobs. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Grayling said last night they will deliver a sharp shock to tearaways. Cops could make them dig up gardens, paint over graffiti and repair vandalism damage - The Sun ​

Bosses at Tesco have ruled out buying any Lloyds or RBS branches when the banking giants are broken up to satisfy European anti-trust rules. The supermarket giant had been linked with a possible bid for any assets offered by the banking groups if they were forced to sell. But Benny Higgins, chief executive of Tesco Personal Finance, ruled out a move yesterday - Scotsman ​