Aviva UK profits up 21%

Aviva has boosted its UK profits by 21%, led by higher sales in the life and pensions business.

Across the group as a whole, IFRS operating profit was up 26% to £2.55bn, compared to £2.02bn in 2009. Profit before tax rose 35% to £2.44bn, up from £1.81bn the year before. UK operating profits rose to £1.41bn in 2010, up from £1.16bn in 2009, driven by Aviva's UK life and pension business which saw sales rise 16% to £10.2bn, and profits grow 26% to £850m. Total long-term savings were up 19% to £11.8bn, the company reports. Aviva says it grew its UK market share for the third consecutive quarter, with a strong performance in annuities and core life protection. The company say...