LLOYD George, who introduced the State retirement pension in 1909, must be turning in his grave.

The near criminal activities of governments, in addition to highly paid pension fund managers and actuaries, coupled with the incompetence of trade union leaders has destroyed retirement hopes and aspirations for millions of UK workers.

Chancellor Gordon Brown has hammered pension funds with tax demands.

Pension fund managers and actuaries charged with responsibility for the safe investment of pension funds have failed miserably.

A local example of their incompetence has been the Wiltshire County Council pension fund which had a three-year holiday during which no employer contributions were paid resulting in a £40m deficit which council taxpayers have been forced to redeem.

Trade union leaders have failed their members in not keeping tabs in the debacle and taking industrial action.

F AVENELL

Swindon