The recent disclosures about Panama and the offshore accounts prompted me, as ever, to ask myself - yet again - the question: How much money and power does any individual actually need to live a happy and satisfying life?

The answer to that will obviously vary according to one's circumstances and where one lives, but I'm continually puzzled as to WHY people who have millions of pounds feel the need to squirrel it away and keep as much of it as possible - or why people like Rupert Murdoch or Berlusconi or Putin feel the constant need to own media, to control people, to acquire and acquire and acquire more and more and more.

I think I lead a reasonably happy life. I'm retired from the day job and own my own modest house. I have a partner and a son with his own family of small children - my lovely grandchildren. Our pensions aren't huge, but we can live comfortably, have a couple of weeks in France each year, eat out if we want to. I have a small but lovely stable of guitars and can make music every day of the week if I want to - much of it paid. I have great friends and a 30-year old Volvo 240 Estate - what could be better?

I ACTUALLY DON'T NEED ANY MORE.

Why do some of those with enormous wealth feel the need to acquire yet more? What's the motive - the driving force? I don't get it. Is it another form of addiction?