Europe

UK - NAPF CONFERENCE: A reform of state benefits will provide the cornerstone to reviving the UK's ailing pensions system, Conservative spokesman for work and pensions David Willetts told delegates.

UK - NAPF CONFERENCE: The pensions industry needs a single, standard basis for calculating debt, according to Hazell Carr Pensions Consulting.

UK - The Mineworkers' Pension Scheme has appointed Wendy Mayall advisory member of the investment sub-committee.

UK - Newton Investment Management is to hold a series of investment seminars for scheme trustees and consultants.

UK - NAPF CONFERENCE: Members of the United Engineering Forgings scheme picketed delegates as they arrived at the NAPF conference yesterday.

UK - A leading multi-manager has voiced concerns over exclusivity deals and warned consultants not to become over-reliant on the product.

EUROPE/UK - Prolonged equity slumps have forced European institutional investors to pump increasing amounts of assets into private equity and hedge funds, with fund of funds proving the vehicle of choice.

UK - Low-paid workers will have to find an extra £1500 each to correct a pensions blunder by the Inland Revenue's new computer system.

UK - NAPF CONFERENCE: Only 19% of employers offer final salary schemes to new employees, with a further 33% looking to review their existing final salary arrangements over the next twelve months.

UK - Government moves to improve take-up of pension provision are being met with wide-scale scepticism, JPMorgan Fleming Asset Management research shows.