BOOKS

Inheritocracy

It’s Time to Talk About the Bank of Mum and Dad

Sunday Times Top 10 Bestseller

Many of us grew up believing in a meritocracy, where hard work brings rewards. Go to university, get a job, put in the hours and things will be OK. That’s what we were told, but the reality is that life chances and opportunities are no longer shaped by what we learn or earn but by whether we have access to the Bank of Mum and Dad. We’re living in an inheritocracy, where parental support is what matters most – whether that’s covering the cost of university, stumping up for a house deposit or helping with childcare. And let’s be honest, this isn’t something we like to talk about with our friends, families or as a society. It’s a modern taboo.

In these pages, generational expert Eliza Filby explores the emergence of this inheritocracy through her own life story, revealing how her family’s financial circumstances shaped everything from her education to her dating life, from her career to her class identity.  

Inheritocracy is a thought-provoking and candid blend of memoir and cultural commentary, told through Eliza’s humorous and insightful voice. With trillions of pounds set to be passed down the generations over the next two decades, a significant divide is emerging between those who can rely on family wealth and those who can’t. Inheritocracy offers a fresh, captivating and honest look at our recent past and a future that will be shaped – for better or worse – by family fortunes.

"Eliza Filby’s nuanced, witty and evidence-driven book explains how we arrived where we are as a country... this book offers a compelling analysis from start to finish." Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London

“This is a very welcome book on one of the biggest social changes in Britain today - the growing significance of inheritance. Eliza Filby shows with vivid personal examples how this is transforming the relationship between successive generations.” David Willetts, author of The Pinch

“Inheritocracy is both funny and important – it’s like a mash up between Dolly Alderton and The Economist. Filby beautifully unpicks the major obstacles of growing up in the 21st century. It deserves to be read by every young person ...and their parents.” Rowan Pelling, co-editor of Perspective

"Inheritocracy is that most valuable thing: a subtle, thorough, insightful look at a subject we all tend to shy away from. Filby is by turns funny, informative and familiar; we're lucky to have her." Nell Frizzell, author of Holding the Baby

“Very illuminating” Robby Doyle, BBC Radio 4 - Start the Week