Notes to the consolidated financial statements

19. Trade and other receivables


 

 

 

 

 
2009
£m
2008*
£m
Trade receivables         1,569 1,158
Other receivables         47 80
Commodity contract assets         41 78
Prepayments and accrued income         1,015 949
          2,672 2,265
*
Comparatives have been restated for the finalisation of the fair value exercise on the acquisition of KeySpan Corporation (see note 28)

Trade receivables are non interest-bearing and generally have a 30-90 day term. Due to their short maturities, the fair value of trade and other receivables approximates their book value. Commodity contract assets are recorded at fair value. For further details of commodity risk, refer to note 34. All other receivables are recorded at amortised cost.

Provision for impairment of receivables

 

 

 

 

2009
£m
2008*
£m
At 1 April         159 102
Exchange adjustments         72 (1)
Charge for the year, net of recoveries         206 108
Acquisition of subsidiary undertaking         41
Uncollectable amounts written off against receivables         (134) (91)
At 31 March         303 159
*
Comparatives have been restated for the finalisation of the fair value exercise on the acquisition of KeySpan Corporation (see note 28)

As at 31 March 2009, trade receivables of £283m (2008: £188m) were past due but not impaired. The ageing analysis of these trade receivables is as follows:


 

 

 

 

 
2009
£m
2008
£m
Up to 3 months past due         160 100
3 to 6 months past due         45 36
Over 6 months past due         78 52
          283 188

For further information on our wholesale and retail credit risk, refer to note 33. For further information on our commodity risk, refer to note 34.

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