'Deepening recession set to send GDP tumbling'

Britain's economy is set to shrink over the next year as a deepening recession inflicts the first full-year fall in national income since 1991, a leading forecasting group predicts today. In a dire assessment that will fuel fears over the growing severity of the downturn gripping the nation, Capital Economics becomes the first significant forecaster to project that the slump will lead to a full-year drop in GDP over 2009 - The Times​

Police studies have concluded the majority of serious assaults in the Scottish Borders can be "directly attributed to alcohol". The findings are presented in a report to the region's licensing forum - BBC​

A Tory government would drop the "traffic light" labelling of fatty and sugary foods, the party said yesterday. The move would please advertisers and the food industry, and see an end to the red, amber and green system preferred by health campaigners - Wales Online​

A footballer died after drinking more than 40 pints of lager and 30 bottles of alcopops during a five-day end-of-season holiday with his team, an inquest heard today. Mark Drew, 27, was driven to hospital writhing in agony the day after he returned to his Gloucestershire home from Vilamoura in Portugal - The Mirror​

Spin now costs the Government £391million a year, it emerged yesterday. The sum covers spin doctors' salaries and the cost of drink-drive and Army recruitment campaigns - The Mirror​

New figures released yesterday reveal that international demand for France's inexpensive plonk is drying up at an unprecedented rate, as cash-strapped British and American consumers forgo their dinnertime tipple - The Guardian​

Actor and singer Darren Day was banned from driving for 18 months today after he finally admitted to being drunk behind the wheel. The 40-year-old was almost twice the drink-drive limit when he was pulled over by police in Cardiff city centre in the early hours of June 18, after a late-night drinking session while on tour - Daily Mail​

Two mums were stunned when they were ridiculed as "big girls" on a pub till receipt - days after one gave birth - The Mirror ​

Arctic Monkeys will never gasp for a pint again - their drummer is buying a boozer - The Mirror ​