Rising university costs are a hindrance to aspiring black lawyers, the Law Society announced at the conclusion of Black History Month. A timely observation, though Chancery Lane might have gone further. With annual tuition fees predicted to rise to £7,000, an issue that this week is viewed through the prism of race must also be observed through the prism of class.

Soon, students who are not fortunate to be the offspring of monied parents will probably have to take on debts of £35,000 just to get a degree, never mind embark on legal training. The editor of this magazine knows for a fact this is going to further inhibit social mobility, because had that been the case 25 years ago he would not have gone to university. No way.

Alan Milburn’s recent report, Fair access to the professions, shows how rising material inequality has reversed the progress that was made in opening up the legal profession after the second world war. Yet there seems to be a presumption in the diversity industry that were our society entirely colour blind, and indifferent to gender, sexual orientation and disability, all would somehow be well. Not so. What it would mean – what it will mean – is that poor students of whatever race, gender, sexual orientation or disability will be equally disadvantaged.