There are ways in which inherited wealth can benefit wider society, too: we have a son who is a research scientist living abroad.

Just as poverty produces its own pathologies, so too does inherited wealth.

To tackle this, he proposes among other things a confiscatory global tax on inherited wealth.

I came from a very different stable - Glasgow petty bourgeoisie with no inherited wealth.

As if only those of upstanding character are bestowed with that other class of lottery win, inherited wealth.