United Kingdom

UK - Trade unionists have attacked the appointment of Merrill Lynch vice-chairman Adair Turner as head of a commission on pensions and savings.

UK - The £1bn Norfolk County Council Pension Fund has put a specialist UK equities mandate - worth 20% of the scheme's total assets - out to tender.

UK - Barnett Waddingham is holding a series of seminars to discuss the Green Paper and the Inland Revenue's report, Simplifying the Taxation of Pensions.

UK/EUROPE - Planned European legislation could scupper simplification proposals in the pensions Green Paper, the Smith & Williamson Pension Consultancy claims.

UK - Credit Suisse Asset Management has added six funds to its pooled funds range, bringing its total offerings to 16.

UK - Fund managers are urging schemes to put more money into equities to take advantage of market upturns this year.

UK - The pensions ombudsman has taken steps to clarify the contractual agreement between members and trustees when a pension is transferred.

SCOTLAND - Martin Currie Investment Management has won a £120m specialist UK equities mandate from the £1.9bn Lothian Pension Fund.

UK - Equal opportunity chiefs have attacked the pensions Green Paper for failing women and not doing enough to challenge inequality in old age.

UK - Balanced pooled pension fund returns fell by nearly 15% in the 11 months to November 2002, a survey by HSBC Actuaries and Consultants reveals.