United Kingdom

UK - Controversial plans to tax lump sum commutation payments will form a major part of the Inland Revenue's review on pension reform.

UK - Capital Cranfield looks set to step down as independent trustee at pension liberator The Brand New Carpet Company and Glenworthy.

UK - Research association Sustainable Investment Research International Group will double its coverage from 500 international companies to more than 1000 global corporations.

UK - Trustees who suspect maladministration by scheme administrators must not act too hastily to dismiss them, says Linklaters.

UK - The campaign to establish an Occupational Pensions Archives Trust to collate and preserve historical documents has received overwhelming support.

UK/EUROPE - Rating agency Standard & Poor's will hold corporate credit risk analysis workshops in London, Paris, Zurich, and Frankfurt from October to December.

UK - Scottish Life has hired Peter Darvill as marketing support manager for the south region.

UK - HSBC's Global Investor Services has been reappointed as custodian at the two leading regional pension funds.

UK - Credit Suisse Asset Management and its sister company, investment bank Credit Suisse First Boston, have merged their hedge fund operations.

UK - The Financial Services Authority has ruled out imposing constraints on short selling as it believes hedge funds improve market liquidity.