Europe

UK - Britain's over-stretched bulk annuity market could have a new entrant within the next six months.

NORWAY - The IMF has urged the Norwegian government to adopt the recommendations of the Pension Commission.

UK - Standard Life has said that it plans to axe 1,000 jobs by the end of 2004.

UK - Flexible benefit costs can be cut and efficiency improved if firms make greater use of the internet, conference delegates were told on Tuesday.

UK - The £400m London Borough of Hillingdon Superannuation Fund has appointed Adam Street Partners and LGT Capital Partners to run private equity mandates worth approximately 5% of its assets.

EUROPE - In a bid to facilitate the cross-border operation of UCITS, the European Commission is proposing "close co-operation" with EU regulators to bring national rules of UCITS depositories closer into line.

UK - Schemes face higher costs because the ombudsman is shunning the pensions advisory service OPAS.

EUROPE - The European private equity and venture capital industry saw the start of a return to confidence in the second half of 2003.

UK - Scheme members at a Kent building society face losing their pensions over company plans to sell its branches.

UK - Pension schemes are being urged to use their annual pension contribution allowances before the end of the tax year.