Europe

UK - Trade union Unifi has warned Abbey suitors they must guarantee staff pensions or have their bids referred to the Competition Commission.

UK - Equity markets are being hampered by soaring levels of UK consumer debt, Insight Investment claims.

UK - Watson Wyatt has released its autumn calendar of trustee training seminars to be held at venues across the UK.

UK - Capita Hartshead has been appointed administrator of high street retailer Next's defined contribution scheme.

UK - Shell has been accused of "unprecedented misconduct" for misleading the market over the extent of its oil and gas reserves.

UK - Aon Consulting is integrating its investment, actuarial and benefits consulting teams in order to provide "holistic" solutions to clients.

UK - Veritas Asset Management has hired former Newton Investment Management investment director Ezra Sun to launch two Asian equity funds.

UK - Recent economic hardship has not stopped members of DB schemes opting for early retirement, research by Aon Consulting has shown.

UK - An incentive scheme for executives at luxury housebuilder Berkeley Group has been attacked by institutional investors.

UK - Winterthur Life has added three new Credit Suisse Asset Management funds to its Tailored Selection range of investment funds.