|
7.
DIVIDENDS
| |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
pence
per share |
|
|
pence
per share |
|
|
pence
per share |
|
|
2007
£m |
|
|
2006
£m |
|
|
2005
£m |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Final
paid in respect of the prior year
|
|
|
7.60 |
|
|
6.50 |
|
|
5.30 |
|
|
631 |
|
|
551 |
|
|
454 |
|
|
Interim
paid in respect of the current year
|
|
|
5.10 |
|
|
4.30 |
|
|
3.90 |
|
|
422 |
|
|
361 |
|
|
332 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
12.70 |
|
|
10.80 |
|
|
9.20 |
|
|
1,053 |
|
|
912 |
|
|
786 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The directors
are proposing that a final dividend in respect of the
year ended 31 March 2007 of 10.0 pence per share will
be paid to shareholders on 17 September 2007, taking
the full year proposed dividend in respect of the 2007
financial year to 15.1 pence (2006: 11.9 pence,
2005: 10.4 pence). This dividend is subject to approval
by shareholders at the Annual General Meeting and therefore
the liability of £825 million (2006: £631
million) has not been included in these financial statements.
The proposed dividend will be payable to all shareholders
on the Register of Members on 24 August 2007.
|
