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