What is often overlooked when tax avoidance is discussed is that the purpose of tax is not only to raise revenue to pay for public services. It is also one of the few levers a government has to influence behaviour. It imposes taxes on things it wants to discourage, such as fags and booze. It offers tax reliefs on savings because it wants to encourage people to provide for their future rather than have to fall back on the state. It offers tax incentives to businesses to encourage them to invest in deprived parts of the country, or in certain industries it wants to encourage, or to support start-ups.

Of course these can sometimes be exploited, but these loopholes are usually quickly closed. However I see nothing wrong in claiming legitimate tax reliefs, it is what the government wants you to do. Money saved, whether in an ISA or a pension, does not just sit there, those institutions invest it to create wealth and jobs (which are themselves then taxed).