United Kingdom

UK - The government's plan to introduce Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) legislation is expected to significantly boost the UK's property market.

UK - The Financial Services Authority (FSA) has written to top executives of investment banks in London warning of the rising danger presented by conflicts of interest within their operations.

UK - The Bank of New York has been selected by the £60bn Hermes Pensions Management, the UK manager which looks after the British Telecom pension scheme, to participate in exclusive due diligence with a view to providing investment operations outsourcing...

UK - The British Governent has announced new arrangements that will create new separate local pension accounts where employees' of the police and fire rescue services contributions will be pooled.

UK - UNISON is mounting a legal challenge over the government's decision to remove an early retirement scheme available to local council workers.

UK - Political opposition parties are calling on chancellor Gordon Brown to join the consensus on pension reform in the wake of the Turner report, published yesterday.

UK - The Pensions Commission's proposal for the introduction of a National Pensions Saving Scheme has been roundly criticised by the industry.

UK - Northern Trust has been appointed to provide global custody and performance measurement services to the £365m Lloyd's Superannuation Fund.

UK - The state pension age would rise to 68 over time as part of an overhaul of the UK pension system proposed today by the Pensions Commmission.

UK - The Pension Protection Fund (PPF) has been forced to delay it's levy estimate by at least 6 weeks from the original 30 November deadline.