I have just applied for a personal loan with Lombard Direct over the phone and I was asked if I had payment protection insurance. When I said no, I was asked why, and I replied that it was because I had no dependants. Did I not realise, I was asked, that if I were to die my next of kin would have to pay my debts. Which is of course nonsense: debts in my sole name will be paid out of my estate and, if my estate is insolvent, then they won't get paid ...

The Cash campaign to reform inheritance tax provokes strong views, both for and against.