Europe

UK - Jardine Lloyd Thompson Human Resources Consulting is running two reward strategy seminars as part of its educational programme this year.

UK - Unions are warning firms they will face industrial action if they attempt to "freeze" their pension schemes.

UK - Morley Fund Management has sold a 230,000 sq ft Debenhams store in Romford, to Irish clients of Strutt & Parker for nearly £20m.

UK - Distribution and administration software provider Aqera has hired Nigel Gardner as sales director.

UK - The number of senior executives offered DC pensions has risen from 5% to 40% in the past four years, a study by Lane Clark & Peacock shows.

UK - The Inland Revenue has indicated it will allow SIPP and SASS scheme members to continue to invest in commercial property.

UK - Beleaguered aerospace giant BAe Systems' credit rating has been downgraded due to the £2.2bn deficit in its pension scheme and a weak outlook.

UK - The government has been warned against using defined benefit contribution figures as a benchmark for defined contribution schemes.

UK - Four major firms - Chubb, Bradford & Bingley, Diageo and Allied Irish Bank - face increases in their pension contributions, their latest accounts reveal.

UK - Fund managers are positioning themselves for heavy competition in the DC solutions market over the next year.