United Kingdom

UK - Increased redemptions by institutional investors has prompted asset manager New Star AM to suspend trading in its international property fund, with immediate effect.

UK - The government must address the issue of means testing now as Britain cannot afford another round of pension reform, the Conservatives warn.

UK - Government amendments to the Pensions Bill will minimise the risk of levelling down for employers with good existing pension provision, pensions reform minister Rosie Winterton has claimed.

UK - More than half of trustees are still keen to buy out their pension scheme liabilities regardless of current market volatility, MetLife research reveals.

UK - The government failed to respond to calls from the UK pensions industry to address a shortage of long-dated gilts when it announced in its pre-Budget report that borrowing was set to soar.

UK - JP Morgan's transition management business has expanded its global team and added additional fixed income capabilities.

UK - Consultancy firm ORTEC has confirmed moves to strengthen its presence in the UK, with the appointment of Andrew Slater as managing director of the UK office.

UK - Average trustee salaries are increasing as the role becomes more onerous but a third of pension funds are still finding it difficult to recruit, research shows.

UK - Pension funds looking to invest in hedge funds should hold off until there is greater stability and current redemptions play their way through the system, Watson Wyatt warns.

UK - The government has a 'golden opportunity' to boost workplace pension saving by enabling automatic enrolment now, the Association of British Insurers (ABI) says.