UK universities pension fund worth billions invests in companies linked to Israel

A UK pension fund for university staff has investments in companies accused of being complicit in possible Israeli war crimes in Gaza.

The Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) fund is one of the UK's largest pension funds, worth £2.8bn ($3.6bn). Approximately 420,000 university staff members pay into the fund every month, with their institutions matching their contributions.

Portfolio documents seen by Middle East Eye show that the USS has allocated funds to companies that rights groups have linked to Israel’s war in Gaza.

The USS allocates £32m to the USS UK Equity Fund as part of its pension portfolio. Within that fund, it invests in Barclays Bank, Qinetiq and Melrose Industries, which rights groups accuse of being complicit in suspected Israeli war crimes. 

Read more: UK universities pension fund worth billions invests in companies linked to Israel