Interim results - 6 months ended 30 June 2006
Operating and financial review
Dividends
Ordinary dividends
The Board has recommended a 10% increase in the interim dividend to 10.82 net pence per share (2005: 9.83 pence) payable on 17 November 2006 to shareholders on the register on 18 August 2006. This follows the removal of the 5% growth target at the end of 2005 while enabling the Group to invest in its future growth.
Preference dividends
8 3/8 % cumulative irredeemable preference shares of £1 each
The Board has recommended a dividend of 4 3/16 % per share for the six month period ending 30 September 2006 payable on 30 September 2006 to preference shareholders on the register on 1 September 2006.
8 3/4 % cumulative irredeemable preference shares of £1 each
The Board has recommended a dividend of 4 3/8 % per share for the six month period ending 31 December 2006 payable on 31 December 2006 to preference shareholders on the register on 1 December 2006.
