32. Audit and non audit services

The following fees for audit and non audit services were paid or are payable to the company’s auditors, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, for the three years ended 31 March 2008.

The audit fee of the company was £40,000 (2007: £38,600, 2006: £37,700).
     ‘Audit services’ represents fees payable for services in relation to the audit of the parent company and the consolidated financial accounts and also includes fees for reports under section 404 of the US Public Company Accounting Reform and Investor Protection Act of 2002 (Sarbanes-Oxley).
     ‘Other services pursuant to legislation’ represents fees payable for services in relation to other statutory filings or engagements that are required to be carried out by the appointed auditor. In particular, this includes fees for audit reports issued on the group’s regulatory financial statements.
     ‘Tax services’ represents fees payable for tax compliance and advisory services.
     ‘Services relating to corporate finance transactions’ represent fees payable in relation to due diligence work completed on acquisitions and disposals.
     ‘All other services’ represents fees payable for non-regulatory reporting on internal controls and other advice on accounting matters.

In order to maintain the independence of the external auditors, the Board has determined policies as to what non audit services can be provided by the company’s external auditors and the approval processes related to them. Under those policies work of a consultancy nature will not be offered to the external auditors unless there are clear efficiencies and value added benefits to the company.