Consolidated cash flow statement
for the years ended 31 March



Notes
2009
£m
2008
£m
2007
£m
Cash flows from operating activities        
Total operating profit   2,623 2,964 2,513
Adjustments for:        
Exceptional items, remeasurements and stranded cost recoveries   292 (369) (482)
Depreciation and amortisation   1,122 994 871
Share-based payment charge   22 18 15
Changes in working capital   54 (150) 127
Changes in provisions   (99) (5) (31)
Changes in pensions and other post-retirement benefit obligations   (678) (333) (125)
Cash flows relating to exceptional items   (131) (132) (86)
Cash flows relating to stranded cost recoveries   359 278 288
Cash flows generated from continuing operations   3,564 3,265 3,090
Cash flows relating to discontinued operations (excluding tax) 27(a) (8) 10 181
Cash generated from operations   3,556 3,275 3,271
Tax paid   (143) (110) (313)
Net cash inflow from operating activities   3,413 3,165 2,958
Cash flows from investing activities        
Acquisition of subsidiaries, net of cash acquired 28 (3,502) (269)
Acquisition of other investments   (73) (26)
Sale of investments in subsidiaries and other investments   55 19
Purchases of intangible assets   (78) (45) (33)
Purchases of property, plant and equipment   (3,107) (2,832) (2,185)
Disposals of property, plant and equipment   27 26 21
Interest received   85 206 216
Purchases of financial investments   (6,173) (8,788) (3,699)
Sales of financial investments   6,272 8,833 1,974
Cash flows used in continuing operations – investing activities   (3,047) (6,073) (3,956)
Cash flows relating to discontinued operations – investing activities (net of tax) 27(b) 1,049 3,050 (105)
Net cash flow used in investing activities   (1,998) (3,023) (4,061)
Cash flows from financing activities        
Proceeds from issue of share capital and sale of treasury shares   8 23 16
Proceeds from loans received   4,892 1,568 5,519
Repayment of loans   (2,618) (650) (2,311)
Net movements in short-term borrowings and derivatives   (633) 671 (163)
Interest paid   (1,061) (900) (813)
Exceptional finance costs on the repayment of debt   (45)
Dividends paid to shareholders   (838) (780) (730)
Cash paid to shareholders under B share scheme   (26) (26)
Repurchase of share capital and purchase of treasury shares   (627) (1,498) (169)
Net cash flow (used in)/from financing activities   (877) (1,592) 1,278
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents   538 (1,450) 175
Exchange movements   18 4 (14)
Cash included within assets of businesses held for sale   23 (23)
Net cash and cash equivalents at start of year   164 1,587 1,449
Net cash and cash equivalents at end of year (i) 20 720 164 1,587
(i)
Net of bank overdrafts of £17m (2008: £10m; 2007: £6m).

Back to top