Friends Prov UK life and pensions sales down 27%

Total life and pensions also fell, down 11% to £1,005m APE in 2008, from £1,135m the previous year. The results come as the group readjusted to its new focus on key lines of business including group pensions and its international arm. Levels of individual pensions business in particular suffered following the withdrawal of products offering initial commission early in 2008. Protection business for the year fell 24% on 2007 to £52m on the back of the weak housing market. It was also hit hard by the decline in individual income protection - the group's main focus - down 12% at around £10m...