United Kingdom

UK - Work and pensions secretary David Blunkett (pictured) has today resigned following a spate of criticism over his share holdings in DNA Bioscience.

UK - Industry players have commended the pensions regulator for "coming down off the fence" on proposals for scheme funding but voiced concerns over some key issues.

UK - The Pension Regulator's funding targets may be too high for many employers to afford, Watson Wyatt has warned.

UK -Prime Minister Tony Blair has backed David Blunkett in the face of concern over the work and pensions minister's appointment and share investment in DNA Biosciences.

UK - An official for the London Pensions Fund Authority (LPFA) has called for pension funds in the UK to re-establish control of their investment process.

UK - The £1bn Greater Gwent pension fund said it has tendered for new pension fund management services because it was unhappy with current provider Threadneedle

UK - The £3bn South Tyneside Council pension fund has invested £40m into pooled funds of Barclays Global Investors (BGI) and Record Currency Management.

UK - Punther Southall has been appointed to provide actuarial and administrative services for three new clients, with combined assets of £20.5m, in Scotland.

UK - Hampshire County Council pension fund has tendered for a global custodian to look after its £2.2bn in assets.

UK - Buckinghamshire County Council pension fund has appointed five new managers to look after 23% of its £874m fund. Standard Life Investments has been appointed to a UK equity mandate to manage £76m of the scheme's assets, Alliance Capital was hired...