Europe

UK - Paul Myners has warned fund managers that they could face a competition commission review if they drag their feet over complying with his review's recommendations.

UK - Pressure group CAAT, the Campaign Against Arms Trade, has named and shamed 120 pension funds for their investments in British arms manufacturers that supply weapons to oppressive regimes and conflict areas.

UK - On March 15, 2002, the Department for Work and Pensions announced that it had laid legislation to reduce the administrative burden on pension schemes. The draft legislation was consulted on in May 2001 and has now emerged with few changes.

BELGIUM - Blackrock Financial Management has been appointed by Belgacom, the Belgian telecommunications operator, to run a corporate bond mandate for its EUR3.5bn pension fund.

EUROPE - European investors are increasingly aware of the benefits of using an experienced transaction services provider, according to Frank Russell Securities.

UK - Two shareholder meetings are of significance in the week beginning April 1, according to corporate governance specialists Institutional Shareholder Services.

UK - The Adam Smith Institute has seen its proposals on pensions privatisation condemned as "unthinkable" by the UK's largest trades union.

UK - Legislation has now been introduced that confirms the earnings cap for 2002/03 as £97,200.

UK - Amicus General Secretary Roger Lyons and John Monks, TUC General Secretary, asked for a "coherent" pensions strategy during a meeting this week with Chancellor of the Exchequer, Gordon Brown.

UK - Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) has launched a new pensions service as part of a comprehensive shake-up. The move is part of a series of targets set out this week by Work and Pensions Secretary, Alistair Darling in a bid to bring to bring...