Business
Rishi Sunak and his wife ‘lost £500k a day’ last year – as Sunday Times Rich List reveals UK’s wealthiest people
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his wife lost an average of £500,000 a day over the past year, according to The Sunday Times Rich List.
The couple are estimated to be £201m poorer due a fall in the value of Akshata Murty’s stake in her father’s IT firm – but are still worth a reported £529m.
Top of the pile again are Gopi Hinduja and family, who have seen their wealth increase £6.53bn to £35bn.
It is the largest fortune ever recorded in the list and comes after the head of the family, 87-year-old Srichand Hinduja, died this week.
The Hindujas’ company, which spans much of the world, deals with everything from banking and oil to automotive groups, healthcare and cybersecurity.
Sir Jim is using some of his billions to try to purchase Manchester United
Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the chemicals titan who’s hoping to buy Manchester United, has shot into second after new information about his finances.
The Ineos boss is up an eyewatering £23.6bn to £29.69bn.
Read more:
SP Hinduja: Billionaire head of Britain’s richest family dies
Sunday Times Rich List 2022
However, it is not good news for one of the UK’s best-known billionaires, Sir Richard Branson, whose wealth is down £1.79bn – or more than 40%.
It is said to be mainly down to the falling share price of his space tourism and satellite divisions.
It was not a good year for Sir Richard, whose wealth dropped more than 40%
Virgin Orbit’s first mission from Cornwall in January failed and the venture is now scrambling to avoid bankruptcy.
For the first time in 14 years, the number of billionaires in the UK has actually fallen – down six to 171, according to The Sunday Times.
Others in the top 20 include familiar names such as inventor Sir James Dyson – the country’s fifth richest with £23bn; Primark owners the Weston family – number seven with £14.5bn; and Bet365 owners Denise Coates and family – 16th with almost £8.8bn.
Denise Coates and family have amassed over £8bn through Bet365
Former Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich does not appear in the 2023 chart as he no longer lives in the UK.
This year’s expanded list includes 350 people and families, with a minimum of £350m needed to be included.
David and Victoria Beckham, Sir Elton John and Lord Lloyd Webber are among other famous names who make the cut.
The Sunday Times says its list is based on identifiable wealth including land, property, other assets such as art, or significant shares in publicly quoted companies – but excludes bank accounts.