Sorry Ginge but your wrong, I worked in local government payroll for 3 years and they can and will take it, in fact just made a quick call to a family member who has worked there for 20+ years and she has confirmed it.
Another reason why they will wan't to take it, other than getting there money back is because they can't write you a valid P45 without the money as the PAYE wont read correctly.
No harm in giving them some lingo on how your mortgage payments will bounce or you wont be able to buy the burns blue pop if they take the money out of your final salary, always worth a go.
