Newcastle United boss Mike Ashley is one of five billionaires whose combined wealth exceeds that of the 12.6million poorest Britons.
They are valued at almost £30billion together, but the bottom 20% of the nation are worth £28.1billion, according to Oxfam research.
Oxfam said it feared the growing gulf could become even wider with £12billion more welfare cuts to come and many families already resorting to food banks just to eat.
Others making up the rich list include the Grosvenor family, headed by the Duke of Westminster, who are worth about £8billion. They are followed by the Reuben brothers, closely followed by the Hinduja brothers, and the Cadogans.