Should the rich pay more for the same services – and higher fines too?

The government is considering a sliding scale of probate fees, an idea that could apply elsewhereThere was outrage this week when the government said it was pressing ahead with a new approach to charging for its role in probate (the legal process for settling your financial affairs on death). Instead of the current £155 flat fee for the paperwork, the government is considering a sliding scale of probate fees based on the value of the estate, from zero to £6,000 – even though th