United Kingdom

UK - Pension deficits at the country's biggest firms will disappear by the end of 2004 if equity markets keep on the road to recovery, Aon Consulting claims.

UK - More than 500 shipbuilders will discover the fate of their pension this week when a buyer for Appledore Shipbuilding is confirmed.

UK - Thomsons Online Benefits has released a new flexible, web-based technology solution handling clients' requirements "faster and cheaper".

UK - Companies looking to change their existing benefit structure must examine the hybrid scheme option, chairman of the government's new Pension Commission told delegates at the recent CBI/Mercer conference in London.

UK - ING Real Estate Investment Management has announced that its property income limited partnership is fully invested.

UK - Winterthur Life UK has appointed David Thompson sales director with responsibility for Winterthur's distribution in the UK market.

UK - Trade unions are set to sue the government over its failure to recognise the pension rights of gay and lesbian couples.

UK - Private bank C. Hoare & Co is looking to launch a "manager of multi-managers" fund for institutional investors.

UK - Pension funds' assets continued to rally over the third quarter returning close to 15% for the year to September 30, figures from Russell/Mellon CAPS show.

UK - Rolls Royce staff will be balloted by the end of the month on whether to take industrial action over pension cuts.