New Year's Eve revellers will get an extra six hours of reduced-VAT drinking, the government has announced. The rate, which was cut to 15% as part of the government's anti-recession package, rises back to its normal 17.5 per cent at midnight on 31 December. But Treasury minister Stephen Timms said pubs, restaurants and clubs could go on charging at the lower rate until 6am on New Year's Day - BBC News
Birmingham band UB40 have played a concert for free to help a music venue raise money for sound proofing. The Rainbow pub, in the Digbeth area of the city, was served a noise-abatement order after a neighbour made a complaint. UB40 member Brian Travers offered the band's support to the pub owners who are trying to raise £30,000 for a sound-insulating roof - BBC News
Charging a minimum price for alcohol will prompt hundreds of Scots to buy their drink south of the Border, new research has suggested. A report by the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) shows a third more Republic of Ireland households than a year ago are saving money by buying alcohol in Northern Ireland - Daily Telegraph
Adults in Scotland who buy cigarettes for under-age young people could soon face prosecution, bringing the law on the sale of tobacco products in the country into line with that on alcohol. The Scottish government revealed today that it is to insert a new clause into the Tobacco and Primary Medical Services Bill, now going through Parliament, would would outlaw the use of what is known as 'proxy purchasing' - The Times
Gangs of drunken teens flooded into bars and pubs across Brighton during a mass bender organised by Carnage UK. The company has become notorious for running cheap booze tours for undergraduates in 45 towns and cities across the UK - The Sun