Europe

UK - The Isle of Man's investment funds industry has received a major boost with the announcement in the Isle of Man Budget of a new package of initiatives designed to give a competitive edge to its fund management industry.

UK - Law firm Dickinson Dees is to offer small schemes a one-stop solution in partnership with consultants and third-party administrators.

UK - Simplification proposals mooted by the government are forcing irreversible changes in the consultancy market, industry experts claim.

UK - The NAPF has told the government it has missed a "golden opportunity" to simplify the pensions landscape and boost future retirement saving.

UK - The Association of British Insurers has expanded the remit of its pensions committee to consumer-orientated products.

UK - Corporate bond investments will continue to outperform this year, Standard Life Investments predicts.

UK - Mercer Human Resource Consulting has attacked the government for "years of interference" which has left employers facing a £300bn bill for pension obligations.

UK/US - Pension managers are retaining their securities lending programmes despite a major loss in a US scheme.

UK - Banks are reviewing loan arrangements to companies with DB scheme deficits, PricewaterhouseCoopers warns.

UK - Simplification Report author Alan Pickering has told the industry to stop arguing over minor details in government reform and agree on the "big picture".