Occupational pension scheme membership drops

The number of active occupational pension scheme members has fallen by one million people since 2004.

According to figures published by the Office for National Statistics, Occupational Pension Schemes, in 2007, there were 8.8 million active pension scheme members, compared with 9.8 million in 2004.

This is mainly due to a drop in membership of private sector schemes. There has also been a drop in the number of occupational pension schemes by almost 4,000 since 2006. In the public sector, however, scheme membership has increased by 100,000 members since 2006.

Chris Grayling, shadow secretary of state for work and pensions, said: "These figures show the long-term damage Gordon Browns stealth tax raid has done to the UK pensions system. It is little wonder that people no longer trust this government on pensions."