United Kingdom

UK - A scheme has been ordered to recalculate a member's final salary pension using a higher figure after being held to account over "sloppy wording".

UK - The drivers behind emerging market debt's good performance in 2003 will be stronger during the next 12 months, a leading fund manager claims.

UK - Pension schemes disagree with new rules that will make trustees legally liable for their actions, a snapshot survey shows.

UK - Institutional investment in government securities rose by £7.6bn in the second and third quarters of 2003, figures from the Office of National Statistics show.

UK - Increases in future inflation assumptions have caused pension scheme liabilities to soar by up to 15% during 2003 - wiping out any stock market gains, Gissings says.

UK - Trade union Amicus is threatening to "step up" pressure on employers this year in a bid to protect pension scheme members.

UK - Independent Trustee Services has been appointed independent trustee of the beleaguered Ballast Group's pension schemes.

UK - Independent consultant Garvins was appointed as actuary to nine DB schemes during 2003, taking its total number of clients to nearly 60 schemes.

UK - Russell Investment Group is to acquire private equity specialist Pantheon Ventures for an undisclosed amount.

UK - Two new senior pensions posts have been created at the House of Commons following a revamp of its finance department.