United Kingdom

UK - The government has rejected amendments to the Pensions Bill that would allow it to provide financial assistance to the Pension Protection Fund.

UK - Scottish Widows has cut approximately 40,000 with-profits policyholders' annual bonuses by up to a third.

UK - WHSmith's pension scheme trustees have slashed the deficit payment that private equity manager Permira will have to make if it renews its bid for the retailer.

UK - A flexible benefits plan which gives employees the chance to develop computer skills through internet access at home has been launched by Kettering Borough Council.

UK - Standard Life Investments has launched a euro denominated money market fund aimed at schemes and other institutional investors.

UK - Conservative work and pensions spokesman David Willetts has urged the government to break the "vicious cycle" of means-tested benefit dependency.

UK - SEI Investments has increased its institutional assets under management by more than 50% in the first half of the year.

UK - Three out of five schemes expect to increase their property weightings over the next few years, research by PricewaterhouseCoopers shows.

UK - Sir Anthony Holland has been appointed as the independent complaints commissioner for the Financial Services Authority.

UK - Equitable Life has received a multi-million pound compensation claim from more than 700 policyholders.