United Kingdom

UK - Economists have become more hawkish about UK interest rate rises, research by bfinance shows.

UK - Trustees may find themselves breaching the Data Protection Act if they fail to act swiftly by making minutes available to members, a pensions lawyer warns.

UK - The Pensions Management Institute had a surplus of £30,234 last year - a sharp drop from £177,112 at the end of 2000.

UK - Consulting actuary Hazell Carr Collins has bolstered its regional teams to meet growing demand from pension sharing on divorce work.

UK - Investec Asset Management has won more than £600m in new mandates during the past 12 months.

UK - Morley Fund Management has launched a sterling liquidity fund which will allow pension schemes to maximise returns on their holdings.

UK - Sacker & Partners has appointed Alison Cribbs, Joanna Matthews and Carole Smith as associates.

UK - Employers will have the right to force staff to join a company pension scheme if a proposal in the Pickering review is enacted.

UK - The £400m Roche Products Pension Fund has lambasted consultants Hewitt Bacon & Woodrow (HB&W) and has decided to sever a 24 year relationship with the firm.

UK - Charity Help the Aged is closing its final salary scheme to new members.