The rich are getting richer, with the combined wealth of Britain's richest 1,000 up 18% in the past year to £396bn. The BBC takes a look at the ten billionaires topping this year's Sunday Times Rich List.
LAKSHMI MITTAL AND FAMILY
Mr Mittal owns a stake in Queens Park Rangers football club A familiar face on the Sunday Times Rich List, steel tycoon Lakshmi Mittal has topped the rankings for seven consecutive years.
The Indian businessman is the highest faller in this year's list in terms of total wealth, because of the plunging share price of his business AcelorMittal.
Mr Mittal has not been afraid to enjoy his riches. He bought his main house in West London for £57m from Bernie Ecclestone. He owns a 20% stake in Queens Park Rangers football club, and has offered to stump up most of the £22m cost for a 377-ft twisting tower in time for the 2012 Olympic Games.
His daughter, Vanisha Mittal, meanwhile made headlines after holding one of the most expensive weddings in history when she married Amit Bhatia in 2005, racking up a bill of some £60m.
Speaking to Tatler recently, Mr Mittal's wife, Usha, said the attention did not bother her. "We are what we are and we live a normal life," she said.
ALISHER USMANOV
Steel (Worth £12.4bn; Up £7.7bn )
Mr Usmanov has moved from sixth position to second on the list A football fan, Mr Usmanov holds a 27% stake in Arsenal, declaring his love for the club as "like that of a man for a woman" - however his bid to control the club was thwarted by rival US investor Stan Kroenke last month.
He has resolved to retain his stake, worth around £198m.
The 57-year-old became rich through steel and iron ore mines before diversifying into timber, telecoms, and eventually the internet.
He is also a philanthropist, reportedly giving £78m to charity over the past year.Continued
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