RESEARCH commissioned by stockbrokers with offices in Wiltshire has dented any Labour joy in succeeding in last week's election.

The survey carried out on behalf of Brewin Dolphin reveals that 47 per cent of people in the south west have no confidence in Labour's ability to solve what is now accepted as the pension crisis in the UK.

A further 46 per cent admitted to having only "a little" confidence in the Government's ability to tackle the problem.

In the wake of the projected £67 million shortfall in the MG Rover pension scheme, 57 per cent of those surveyed in the region believe this Government has failed to protect pension assets.

Myles Palmer, director of Brewin Dolphin's Marlborough office, said: "Notwithstanding some significant falls in equity values during the bear market, the number of damaging changes to pension fund rules and additional taxation has left UK pensions in crisis."