What the Sunday papers said

After years of binge drinking Britain's female twenty- and thirtysomethings are starting to pay the physical and psychological price. Cheap drink and high disposable income were contributing to greater numbers of young women drinking beyond their limit - and they were now looking for help with their drinking problems. Drinkwise, the government's helpline, saw an unprecedented 66 per cent rise in calls over Christmas. Many young women have said their lives had improved following cutting down their alcohol intake. - Independent On Sunday​

Spiralling costs could kill off the government's plans to introduce identity cards. The Conservatives are demanding that ministers disclose the full bill for introducing compulsory cards and submit it to independent scrutiny before the legislation can go through. Peers are to vote tomorrow (Monday) on a Tory amendment to the Identity Card Bill and some are predicting defeat for the government. - Observer​

Labour's undiminished appetite for a national register and ID card scheme is curious; at a time when all government departments are tightening their belts an unpopular project costing a minimum of £5.8bn over the first 10 years seems a candidate for the chop. Yet its decision to go ahead with such a costly and untested (in terms of preventing terrorism, etc) scheme is unfathomable. - Observer editorial​

A second report by the London School of Economics has called the government's proposed ID card scheme "unworkable". The report accuses Home Secretary Charles Clarke of making plans and costings for the scheme based on "guesswork and wishful thinking". It goes on to demand he hand control of the project over to the Treasury. - Sunday Express​

Tony Blair faces the prospect of a crushing defeat tomorrow (Monday) over his plans to introduce identity cards. Conservative leader David Cameron plans to force Mr Blair to reveal the true cost to individuals by ordering Tory peers to team up with Liberal Democrats and Labour rebels in a key House of Lords vote on the matter. A report by the London School of Economics says ID cards could cost £500 each, five times the government's original estimate. - Mail On Sunday​

Irish crisp maker Largo Foods is one of three contenders vying to buy what's left of Golden Wonder out of administration. Largo, Cologne-based Unisnack and a consortium including management have submitted bids for the business, which carries a price tag of £15.5m. Golden Wonder, whose brands include Nik Naks and Wheat Crunchies, went into administration last week after years of tough competition. - Independent On Sunday​

As potential bidders circle crisp maker Golden Wonder key questions remain: who would want to buy a business that is doing badly, that has lost market share and suffers from expensive production. Irish crisp maker Tayto bought Golden Wonder's Corby plant last week, safeguarding 195 jobs out of a total workforce of 350. - The Business​

And finally...

Darts legend Andy 'the Viking' Fordham has foresaken his diet of 30 lagers a day and large doner kebabs for a daily helping of three pints of white wine spritzer and grilled fish as part of a new and rather gruelling training schedule. Since swapping over to wine Andy's weight has slumped three stone to 27 stone. "I'm determined to keep off the weight until the London Olympics [at which he hopes darts will feature for the first time in the Games' history]. I can't cut out the booze completely because I need to calm my nerves before a match." - Independent On Sunday​