The Sunday Times Rich List has been revealed for 2022 – and it shows that the wealthiest people in the UK have grown their fortunes to a record £170 billion this year.
The annual list details the wealthiest 250 people in the UK and, alongside the current Chancellor of the Exchequer, this year’s super-rich list features ten people from the North West – including a couple of lads from Salford.
According to The Times, Rishi Sunak is the first-ever frontline political figure to feature in its list since it began in 1989. He and his wife, Akshata Murty, join the 2022 list with a combined £730m fortune just days after the Chancellor told people the ‘next few months will be tough’.
This year’s list also includes a record number of 177 UK billionaires, six more than in 2021,
The full list, now in its 34th year, shows that whilst millions in the country are enduring extreme hardships as UK inflation hits its highest rate in 40 years, those at the other end of the scale are still enjoying all the spoils of the free market.
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As The Timesitself states: “This year’s analysis shows a golden era for the super rich has continued unchecked.
“This year’s top 250 now have more wealth than the entire 1,000 entries of the 2017 Rich List.”
On the 2022 North West list, Michael Platt, a 53-year-old Preston-born hedge fund manager and Tory donor who resides in Switzerland, has seen his fortune rise by £2bn in a year to make him the wealthiest in the region.
In 2020, Platt’s hedge fund BlueCrest Capital Management was fined $170million for misleading its investors and was accused of using a separate fund, run by its top traders, that invested employee’s money.
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Platt has knocked the Cheshire-based 7th Duke of Westminster, Hugh Grosvenor, off the top spot – placing Prince George’s billionaire godfather at second place in the North West with a fortune of £9.726bn.
In third place is Jim Ratcliffe, the Oldham-born CEO of the Ineos chemical group. Worth £6.075bn, he has recently made headlines for making a failed bid to buy Chelsea football club – leading to speculation that he may now turn his attention to Manchester United instead.
63-year-old Liverpudlian Tom Morris, the founder of the ever-popular Home Bargains, is fourth on the regional list – £766 million richer than last year.
Rochdale brothers Mohsin and Zuber, the Lancashire-born founders of Euro Garages and new majority shareholders in Asda, have increased their wealth by £50m. The duo is now worth £4.73bn.
Sixth on the list are B&M founders Simon, Bobby and Robin Arora with a combined wealth of £2.543bn, followed by former Trafford Centre owner John Whittaker (of the Peel Group) at £1.6bn.
Henry Moser of Cheadle-based finance group Together sits in ninth place with a fortune of £1.565bn, and last on the list are Fred and Peter Done, owners of the bookmaking chain Betfred.
The Rich List bases its findings on what is called ‘identifiable wealth’, meaning that which can be publicly seen. This includes values of land, property, art, horses, and shares in public companies.
The paper is unable to access bank accounts or other private finance records. The full list can be viewed on The Times website here.
Feature image – Flickr / Wikimedia Commons / Wikipedia
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A Christmas train in Wigan has been delivering donated toys galore
Thomas Melia
Yuletide wishes have come true as a donation of toys and goodies have been delivered via a Christmas train in Wigan, right in time for the big day.
The Amazon toy train, which is a new initiative running this festive season, is dropping off presents from now right up until Christmas day itself.
Already visiting Wigan earlier this month, the locomotive has its sites set on three more stops including London, Swansea and Scotland as it makes its journey across three nations.
In partnership with Multibank’s Brick-by-Brick project, the train hopes to provide and offer gifts to families in need across the UK with Wigan marking the closest stop off in Greater Manchester.
Credit: Lee Boswell (supplied)
All the toys that are being transported across the country in this Amazon-fronted train are featured on the company’s ‘Top Ten Toys 2024’ list.
Hatchimals, Screamerz and Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza were some of the exciting gifts found on the Christmas train in Wigan at the start of this month.
This lighthearted and fun-filled Christmas-themed project is kitted out with toys from top brands like Play-Doh and the brickmasters themselves, LEGO Star Wars.
So far, Multibank has helped over 400,000 families and provided three million essential items across their operations in England, Scotland and Wales since launching in 2022.
This collaborative local project doesn’t just operate at Christmastime either: Brick-to-Brick Multibank run all year round collecting surplus business requirements like furniture, hot water bottles and hygiene products to be used by those less fortunate.
The Christmas train in Wigan filled with Amazon’s top toys.The Wigan toy train features some well known brands.Credit: Supplied
This roster of children’s favourite companions and interactive games is inspired by the consumers themselves. Every toy is related to or the exact match of what Amazon customers have been searching for the most. A real Christmas list come true.
The list of the top toys isn’t extortionate either, offering customers some affordable and still as fascinating options with prices starting from £9.99.
Even old-school classics like Play-Doh have a spot on this wish list. This poses the really big question: where’s the adult version?
You may have finished your Christmas shopping not too long ago or might still be looking for inspiration, browse the top-ranked teddies and more HERE.
Floral tributes laid for Baby A after remains found in Salford, as police hunt ‘answers’
Daisy Jackson
Floral tributes have begun to pile up outside the Salford park where the remains of a baby were found earlier this week.
The child, who is being called Baby A, was discovered near Ashtons Field on Wednesday 20 November.
Their identity is not yet known, and police are trying to determine ‘who this baby could be, how long they have been here, and how they have sadly died’.
In an update shared last night, GMP said their investigation was continuing and the force will do ‘everything we can to get answers’.
They also shared images of cuddly toys, flowers and letters that have been left at the snowy scene by officers and by the local community.
In the latest update, GMP said: “Our investigation continues after the remains of a young baby were tragically found in Little Hulton yesterday.
“The thoughts of everyone at Greater Manchester Police are with Baby A, and we will do everything we can to get answers.
“We would like to thank the community for their tributes to Baby A and their support and compassion at this time. We are truly grateful.”
Floral tributes laid for Baby A after remains found in Salford. Credit: GMP
GMP are appealing for anyone with any information to come forward so they can ‘find answers for this baby’.
Chief Superintendent Neil Blackwood said: “Even the most minor detail could be crucial to our investigation. If you have seen anyone in the area over the last few days, or know who the parents could be, please call us as soon as you can.
“As soon as we are in a position to confirm further details about the circumstances, we will do so.
“Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting log 1319 of 20/11/24. If you would prefer to remain anonymous, call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
Georgina Pellant -
20th May 2022 
