Europe

UK - Local authority plans to extend pension benefits to unmarried and same-sex partners - have been blocked by the government.

UK/EUROPE - A survey to assess the political and economic needs for a single European market for pensions is being carried out by leading banks and insurers.

UK - The government has no plans to pass legislation preventing firms from taking contribution holidays, pensions minister Ian McCartney told Parliament.

UK - AON Consulting has launched a SIPP which it claims addresses many of the problems faced by other providers.

UK - Office rents in the West End have seen the first significant fall in more than 10 years.

UK - The UK arm of troubled fund manager Imperial Consolidated has been placed into administration.

UK - The £357m London Borough of Enfield Pension Fund is considering an overhaul of its entire investment structure which could lead to the tendering of new specialist portfolios later this year.

UK - Watson Wyatt has appointed Gareth Connolly as a benefits consultant in its Manchester office.

UK - Final salary pension schemes are being killed off by falling stock markets, increased lifespans and red tape, the Association of Consulting Actuaries claims.

UK - Stamp duty on shares is costing pension schemes around £93 a year on average for each member, NAPF research shows.