United Kingdom

UK/EUROPE - Unsurprisingly, for the third straight year in a row, fixed income securities proved to be a better investment than shares, according to the Barclays Equity Gilt Study.

UK - Government proposals for pension reform will make "little difference" to the number of retired women living on the breadline, the Equal Opportunities Commission claims.

UK - Computing giant EDS has closed its final salary scheme to new members in a bid to remain competitive in a battle for a major contract.

UK - Lawyers are warning firms to be wary over government advice to flag-up pension benefits in recruitment advertising.

UK - Independent financial adviser Elite Strategies is expanding its services in the corporate market through the acquisition of Croesus Financial Services.

UK - Private equity house Gresham has promoted Andy Tupholme to the position of investment director.

UK - Unions have lambasted Cable & Wireless over reports that pension contributions for its two new directors will be "five times" the standard company rate.

UK - A trade union has attacked the FSA over plans to give staff in its money purchase scheme bigger pay rises than its final salary workers.

UK - Final salary scheme closures are continuing at record levels, latest OPRA figures reveal.

UK - Pension funds are being urged to abstain from approving Reuters remuneration reports.