Continuous growth in dividend per share

We measure dividend per share on a declared basis in contrast to IFRS which measures dividend per share on a paid or approved basis.

Cumulative dividends have continued to grow, with a total of 15.0 pence per share declared for 2007.

For 2006 and 2007 we have returned surplus capital to shareholders through a special dividend of £42.7 million (8.0 pence per share) and a further £120.4 million B share issue (equivalent to 22.4 pence per share). The latter is not shown in the above chart.