Europe

UK - Barra has launched an online risk tool which, it claims, will enable fixed income fund managers based in Europe to spot potential defaults early.

UK - The Trades Union Congress has launched a website aimed at promoting its national Pay for Pensions demonstration in London on June 19.

UK - Sir Derek Higgs will chair a conference next week examining the links between good governance and directors' liability.

UK - Tax consultant Anil Kumar was jailed for four years on Monday after being found guilty of illegally raiding pension schemes and evading tax.

UK - Prime minister Tony Blair (pictured) is considering special payouts to scheme members who lost their pensions when their firms collapsed.

UK - The Financial Services Authority will be forced to pay into the Pensions Protection Fund despite it being "virtually impossible" for the regulator to collapse.

UK - Royal Doulton has hit back at union claims that the closure of its UK factory will place the pension benefits of its 525 staff under threat.

UK - Scheme investment in property is "evolving apace" and is likely to increase due to its relative outperformance, a new survey shows.

DENMARK - Arbejdsmarkedets Tillaegspension (ATP), the e37bn Danish pension fund, returned 6% in the first quarter of 2004, compared to returns of 0.5% in the first quarter of 2003.

UK - Employers could be forced to pay a flat-rate levy for the Pensions Protection Fund for up to six years, industry leaders warn.