Andy wrote:

I also know people in the private sector who had their pensions raided
but you have to blame the company directors and the government
(Conservative I believe) for allowing pension pots to be plundered or
at best to go on pension contribution holidays ...

Pension contribution holidays were quite common several years ago, when
rapidly-rising stock markets caused persion funds to become hugely in
surplus - I seem to remember that on some occasions companies were obliged
to instigate a "holiday" as otherwise contributions would reduce corporation
tax payable to the government. It was also not unknown in Industry for
employees to be given a contribution holiday (in a defined benefit scheme of
course).

The most infamous pension fund plunderer was of course a former Labour MP.

Roger