Given the current activity from private equity clients, the news last week that the Government is suspending controversial rules aimed at protecting pension funds is being met with a sigh of relief from M&A advisers.
The provisions, contained in the current Pensions Bill, would have granted regulators wide powers to force shareholders, investors and related companies to make up fund shortfalls – a major issue in takeovers since more than 90% of final salary schemes are reckoned to be in deficit.
