Europe

UK - Department store chain Beatties is boosting its pension contributions in a bid to close a £6.5m hole in its defined benefit scheme.

UK - Aon Consulting has been appointed by the Transport & General Workers' Union to provide consultancy and administration services.

UK - Insight Investment has appointed Mark Ahern as director and head of client service.

UK - The government has agreed to review a proposal to compensate ASW pension plan members who lost most of their entitlements when the company collapsed.

UK - Accounting giant Ernst & Young is going ahead with controversial plans to freeze its defined benefit scheme.

UK - SG Asset Management has been appointed by Skandia Investment Management to run a UK equity mandate within its fund-of-funds range.

UK - The £379m Carillion Staff Pension Scheme is considering making its first allocation to either hedge funds or private equity.

ITALY - The Italian reform law that was planned for this summer is now struggling to be ready by the end of the year, writes Robert Galbraith.

UK - Communications firm Crown Castle International is retaining its defined benefit scheme after prolonged talks with union leaders.

UK - Union leaders are urging the department of trade and industry to limit the notice periods of "greedy bosses".