United Kingdom

UK - The Financial Services Authority wants to bring the investment research market in line with international standards in a bid to minimise conflicts of interest.

UK - Building labourers are being forced to register as "self-employed" because construction firms will not pay their pension costs, the construction workers' union claims.

UK - John Cunningham has been appointed technical sales consultant at Scottish Self Invested Personal Pensions provider, @sipp.

UK - State Street Global Advisors is to expand its hedge fund range with the launch of global fixed income and currency hedge funds aimed at pension funds.

UK - Closed final salary schemes have become "ticking time bombs" for firms and many will have no choice but to reopen them, experts claim.

UK - Butterfield Private Bank is targeting the pensions market with a range of banking services for trustees and fund managers.

UK - Caterpillar is installing a new internet facility for members of three of its pension schemes to replace traditional administrators.

UK - Tomorrow's pensioners will not "put up and shut up" over pension issues, Age Concern has warned the government.

UK - Charterfield Asset Management has sold College House - the retail/office building overlooking Bristol Cathedral - for nearly £3m.

UK - Almost half of all workers are planning to postpone their retirement for fear of poverty in retirement, a new report claims.