'Ministers pledge to scrap Labour's failed licensing laws'

A war on booze Britain will dismantle Labour's failed 24-hour drinking laws and ban the sale of dirt-cheap alcohol. Ministers are to introduce powers to stem the drink-fuelled violence which has turned town centres into 'wild west' zones. They hope this will herald the return of the traditional pub, in which the public can drink without fear of assault or abuse - Daily Mail​

ASDA is to become the first supermarket giant to call time on binge booze deals in its stores. Bosses will today introduce a "floor price" on everything from beer to bottles of vodka. It is the first time one of the top supermarkets has put its neck on the line in a bid to tackle Binge Britain. Chief executive Andy Clarke has written to Home Secretary Theresa May promising no booze will be sold at below the cost of duty on the product plus VAT. Asda will instead slash prices on other goods in a new series of campaigns - starting today with milk - The Sun​

Pubs and restaurants group Mitchells & Butlers (M&B) has said its rate of sales growth slowed in June and July as food sales fell during the World Cup. M&B, which owns Harvester and All Bar One, said like-for-like sales were up 1.2% in the nine weeks to 17 July, compared with a 1.8% rise in the preceding 33 weeks. For the year to date, sales rose 1.6%. M&B said the month of the World Cup had a "negative impact" on food sales, reducing overall sales by about 2% - BBC​

Male death rates have fallen by more than a quarter in a decade. Death rates in England and Wales are at their lowest-ever recorded levels, official figures show. Despite health concerns surrounding rising levels of obesity and alcohol use, death rates for both men and women fell by about 5% in 2009 from 2008 - BBC​

After more than two decades without producing a single drop, the world famous Truman Brewery in Brick Lane has begun making beer again. Real ale enthusiasts Michael-George Hemus and James Morgan, based in Spitalfields' Elder Street, acquired the Truman's name earlier this year and now the first barrels have rolled off the production line and are ready to drink. Truman's, which started life in Brick Lane in 1666, was once the world's biggest brewery but the growing popularity in continental style lagers meant the brewery was closed in 1989 - East London Advertiser​