'New laws to tackle binge drinking'

Government plans to crack down on binge drinking and reclaim high streets for "sensible law-abiding drinkers" are set to be unveiled this week. The overhaul of licensing laws will give communities greater flexibility to find a solution that suits them, said Home Secretary Theresa May. Proposals included tougher penalties for serving under-age drinkers, with fines doubling to £20,000 for persistent offenders, and a late night levy to allow licensing authorities to charge premises which open late for the additional policing - Press Association​

Punch Taverns is considering a range of options as part of massive restructuring plans designed to battle its £3.1bn debt. The pub chain is believed to be considering hiving off a portion of its loans and freeholds, a debt-for-equity swap or more pub sales, according to sources who said "all options were on the table". A more radical plan to hand over 6,000 pubs, which Punch owns but leases to independent landlords, to its bondholders is also being considered - CITY AM​

Ministers were accused last night of putting lives at risk at Christmas by slashing spending on publicity campaigns about drink-driving. Just £550,000 has been allocated for this year's advertising blitz - a fraction of the £3.4m spent in 2009-10 - as part of the squeeze on Whitehall budgets. The traditional Christmas anti-drink-driving campaign has been scaled back after a virtual freeze was imposed on government publicity budgets. This year there will be no TV or cinema advertisements because of their expense - The Independent​

Alcohol Concern is calling for powers over the licensing and pricing of alcohol to be devolved to Wales. Many people in Wales now drink well beyond the recommended guidelines, a report by the charity found. It called for a minimum price of 50p per unit for all alcoholic drinks - BBC​