Vp PLC : Interim Results
Press Release 29 November 2011
Vp plc
("Vp" or the "Group")
Interim Results
Vp plc, the equipment rental specialist, today announces its Interim Results for
the six months ended 30 September 2011.
Highlights
*  Profit before tax and amortisation increased 21% to £10.4 million (H1
2010: £8.6 million)
*  Revenues increased 18% to £84.0 million (H1 2010: £71.1 million)
*  Capital investment in the fleet increased to £15.9 million (H1 2010: £8.9
million) to support growth opportunities across all the businesses
*  Net debt increased by £2.9 million to £43.4 million (FY 2010: £40.5
million)
* Â Interim dividend maintained at 3.1 pence per share
* Â Solid balance sheet with strong cash generation
Jeremy Pilkington, Chairman of Vp plc, commented:
"I am pleased to report an outstanding set of results demonstrating strong
revenue and profit growth along with excellent cash generation. Â The impact of
individual sector weaknesses continues to be mitigated through the diversity of
the Group's activities, a strong balance sheet and significant investment into
growth opportunities."
- Ends -
Enquiries:
Vp plc
Jeremy Pilkington, Chairman Tel: +44 (0) 1423 533 405
jeremypilkington@vpplc.com
Neil Stothard, Group Managing Director Tel: +44 (0) 1423 533 445
neil.stothard@vpplc.com
Allison Bainbridge, Group Finance Director Tel: +44 (0) 1423 533 445
allison.bainbridge@vpplc.com www.vpplc.com
Media enquiries:
Abchurch Communications
Sarah Hollins / Mark Dixon Tel: +44 (0) 20 7398 7729
mark.dixon@abchurch-group.com www.abchurch-group.com
CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT
I am very pleased to be able to report another set of excellent results.
In the six months to 30 September 2011, profit before tax and amortisation
increased 21% to £10.4 million (H1 2010: £8.6 million) on revenues ahead 18% at
£84.0 million (H1 2010: £71.1 million).  The markets within which we operate,
both domestically and internationally, have all presented their various
challenges during the period and the six businesses in the Group have all had to
work hard to deliver these excellent results.
Capital investment in the fleet rose strongly to £15.9 million (H1 2010: £8.9
million) as we supported growth opportunities across all the businesses. Â We
remain very mindful, however, of the quality of the returns from these
investments and monitor and manage allocations on a very proactive basis.
 Notwithstanding this growth in fleet expenditure, borrowings at the period end
had increased by only £2.9 million to £43.4 million (FY 2010: £40.5 million),
illustrating the strongly cash generative nature of the Group.
Your Board is declaring the payment of a maintained interim dividend of 3.1
pence per share, payable on 4 January 2012 to shareholders registered as at 9
December 2011.
Review of Operations
Groundforce
Groundforce delivered another very solid result, maintaining profitability
against the backdrop of a limited contribution, thus far, from the AMP5 water
industry capital investment programme. Â Construction activity was generally
subdued, although demand was noticeably stronger in the South East region.
 Pleasingly, demand for our more specialist, large bracing systems remained more
robust. Â The Groundforce sub-divisions, which provide products complementary to
the mainstream shoring activity, generally performed well. Â This illustrates how
strength from diversity exists not only at Group level but is also replicated
within the respective divisions.
Our European activity is stable and although it remains in its early phase of
development, we are investing in personnel and infrastructure to create a
platform from which to support future growth.
Looking forward we anticipate flat general construction demand supplemented by
increasing AMP5 related activity in the UK.
UK Forks
The turnaround in performance at UK Forks began in the first half of 2010 and
has pleasingly continued since. Â Both revenues and profitability are
substantially ahead of the prior year period. Â Whilst the general construction
market remains quiet, housebuilding has rebounded, albeit from a severely
reduced base, and remains a positive sector for us. Â Machine utilisation has
recovered to a level where we have committed new investment, continuing the
recovery towards a pre-recession sized hire fleet. Â Prices from manufacturers
have escalated significantly since we last added to the rental fleet and hire
rates have had to move upwards in order to protect levels of return on
investment.
The prospects for UK Forks in the second half of the financial year remain
positive.
Airpac Bukom
Airpac Bukom reported a very pleasing improvement in performance with revenues
and profitability substantially ahead of last year. Â Given the global spread of
this business it is unsurprising that regional disparities in performance arise.
 The North Sea region performed well with a healthy spread of activity in well
test, maintenance and high pressure applications. Â In North Africa, social and
political instability has depressed demand but the longer term prospects are
excellent. Â We have improved our performance in the Middle East region and we
remain positive about prospects for further progress. Â The Pluto LNG derived
activity in Australia contributed well in the period, though the contract is now
winding down. Â Over the medium term, there is the promise of further substantial
investment in LNG production though we do expect a workload gap between the
programmes. Â South America and particularly the Brazilian market offers great
potential but it will be a little time before this opportunity translates into
meaningful results. Â This business has enjoyed tangible recovery in certain
geographic markets and despite the expected drop off in LNG related activity, we
anticipate further progress in other territories.
We remain very positive about the prospects for growth in this business over the
longer term.
Torrent Trackside
This has been an outstanding start to the year for Torrent and pleasingly, one
which is based upon successes across a wide range of markets and projects. Â The
five year Network Rail contract which we secured at the end of 2010 is operating
satisfactorily and performing ahead of expectations. Â London Underground,
lighting works and other maintenance contracts have also all performed well in
the period.
Torrent has made a strong start to the year and with forecasts for increasing
investment in the rail sector, prospects remain very favourable for the
division.
TPA
TPA delivered revenue and profit growth in the period, though margins reduced
due to a combination of pricing pressure in the market and higher operational
costs in transport and temporary labour. Â The business continues to work on
optimising management of the activity base with a view to enhancing
profitability not only in the quieter winter months, but also in the busy summer
trading period.
Germany delivered a solid performance and we continue to build the
infrastructure in Europe to support our aspirations for further growth in the
region.
Hire Station
The Hire Station division experienced mixed fortunes as revenue growth did not
translate into profit. Â The tool hire market remains very dependent on general
construction activity which shows no near term signs of recovery. Â This part of
the business has undertaken a number of initiatives to improve margins including
price increases and a thorough overhaul of operational procedures to improve
both service and quality of delivery. Â The two specialist businesses performed
well, with ESS Safeforce in particular, enjoying a strong first half.
Whilst the fortunes of the division are, to an extent, governed by general
construction activity, the combination of our actions to improve margins in
tools and strong market prospects for the specialist businesses should deliver
good progress over the medium term.
Outlook
Vp is a profitable, strongly cash generative and conservatively leveraged
business with excellent prospects. Â Our combination of consistency, resilience,
and financial strength has contributed to an outstanding first half performance.
Looking forward, the economy shows little sign of returning to any reasonable
level of sustainable growth and the Eurozone problems provide further negative
sentiment.
However, we continue to demonstrate our ability to deliver success, even in the
most challenging circumstances, which, combined with our strong financial
position, give the Board confidence that Vp can continue to deliver satisfactory
results in the future.
Jeremy Pilkington
Chairman
29 November 2011
Condensed Consolidated Income Statement
For the period ended 30 September 2011
 Note Six months to 30  Six months to 30  Full year to
Sep 2011 Sep 2010 31 Mar 2011
  (unaudited)  (unaudited)  (audited)
£000 £000 £000
Revenue 3 84,008 71,095 140,959
Cost of sales (60,945) (51,501) (106,461)
------------------------------------------------------
Gross profit 23,063 19,594 34,498
Administrative (11,756) (9,967) (19,577)
expenses
------------------------------------------------------
Operating profit 3 11,307 9,627 14,921
Net financial (1,260) (1,400) (2,687)
expenses
------------------------------------------------------
+-----------------+ +-----------------+ +------------+
Profit before  |  | |  | |  |
amortisation, | Â | | Â | | Â |
exceptional items | 10,364| | 8,586| | 13,785|
and taxation | | | | | |
| | | | | |
  |  | |  | |  |
Amortisation of | (317)| | (359)| | (962)|
intangibles | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Exceptional items 4 | -|Â | -|Â | (589)|
+-----------------+ +-----------------+ +------------+
Profit before 10,047 8,227 12,234
taxation
Income tax expense 5 (2,244) Â (2,040) (2,451)
------------------------------------------------------
Net profit for the 7,803 6,187 9,783
period
------------------------------------------------------
Basic earnings share 7 18.84p  14.81p  23.42p
Diluted earnings 7 18.07p  14.60p  23.24p
share
Dividend per share 8 3.10p  3.10p  10.80p
Dividends paid and  1,278  1,294  4,474
proposed (£000)
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
For the period ended 30 September 2011
Six months to  Six months to  Full year to
30 Sep 2011 Â 30 Sep 2010 Â 31 Mar 2011
(unaudited) Â (unaudited) Â (audited)
£000  £000  £000
Profit for the period 7,803 Â 6,187 Â 9,783
Other comprehensive income:
Actuarial gains on defined benefit
pension scheme - - 526
Tax on items taken direct to equity - Â - Â (147)
Impact of tax rate change (39) Â (44) Â (77)
Effective portion of changes in
fair value of cash flow hedges 60 634 1,493
Foreign exchange translation
difference (81) (105) 11
---------------------------------------------
Other comprehensive income (60) Â 485 Â 1,806
---------------------------------------------
Total comprehensive income for the 7,743 6,672 11,589
period
---------------------------------------------
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
For the period ended 30 September 2011
 Six months to  Six months to  Full year to
 30 Sep 2011  30 Sep 2010  31 Mar 2011
 (unaudited)  (unaudited)  (audited)
 £000  £000  £000
Total comprehensive income for the 7,743 6,672 11,589
period
Tax movements to equity 56 - 24
Impact of tax rate change - - 5
Share option charge in the period 567 542 624
Net movement relating to Treasury
Shares and shares held by Vp (1,354) (282) (392)
Employee Trust
Dividends to shareholders (3,180) (3,215) (4,509)
---------------------------------------------
Change in equity during the period 3,832 3,717 7,341
Equity at the start of the period 91,528 84,187 84,187
---------------------------------------------
Equity at the end of the period 95,360 Â 87,904 Â 91,528
---------------------------------------------
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet
At 30 September 2011
Note 30 Sep 2011 Â 31 Mar 2011 Â 30 Sep 2010
 (unaudited)   (audited)   (unaudited)
 £000  £000  £000
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment 6 105,869 101,286 96,234
Goodwill  33,989  33,989  34,269
Intangible assets  5,293  5,610  5,933
Employee benefits  41  -  -
-----------------------------------------
Total non-current assets  145,192  140,885  136,436
-----------------------------------------
Current assets
Inventories 5,859 5,388 4,114
Trade and other receivables  39,029  33,307  31,446
Cash and cash equivalents  6,643  5,509  3,603
-----------------------------------------
Total current assets  51,531  44,204  39,163
-----------------------------------------
Total assets 196,723 185,089 175,599
-----------------------------------------
Current liabilities
Interest bearing loans and (10) (20,020) (18,037)
borrowings
Income tax payable  (2,673)  (897)  (2,936)
Trade and other payables  (40,143)  (37,178)  (30,460)
-----------------------------------------
Total current liabilities  (42,826)  (58,095)  (51,433)
-----------------------------------------
Non-current liabilities
Interest bearing loans and (50,000) (26,001) (26,005)
borrowings
Employee benefits  -  (178)  (919)
Deferred tax liabilities  (8,537)  (9,287)  (9,338)
-----------------------------------------
Total non-current liabilities  (58,537)  (35,466)  (36,262)
-----------------------------------------
Total liabilities (101,363) (93,561) (87,695)
-----------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------
Net assets  95,360  91,528  87,904
-----------------------------------------
Equity
Issued capital 2,309 2,309 2,309
Share premium  16,192  16,192  16,192
Hedging reserve  (1,614)  (1,674)  (2,533)
Retained earnings  78,446  74,674  71,909
-----------------------------------------
Total equity attributable to  95,333  91,501  87,877
equity
holders of parent
Non-controlling interest  27  27  27
-----------------------------------------
Total equity  95,360  91,528  87,904
-----------------------------------------
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
For the period ended 30 September 2011
 Note Six months to  Six months to  Full year to
  30 Sep 2011  30 Sep 2010  31 Mar 2011
 (unaudited)  (unaudited)  (audited)
 £000  £000  £000
Cash flows from operating
activities
 10,047 8,227 12,234
Profit before taxation
Adjustment for:
Pension fund contributions in
excess of service cost (219) (208) (423)
Share based payment charges  567  542  624
Depreciation 6 9,902 Â 9,208 Â 18,558
Amortisation of intangibles  317  359  962
Net financial expense  1,260  1,400  2,687
Profit on sale of property, Â (755) Â (1,280) Â (2,348)
plant and equipment
---------------------------------------------
Operating cash flow before  21,119  18,248  32,294
changes in working capital and
provisions
Increase in inventories  (471)  (297)  (1,571)
Increase in trade and other  (5,722)  (4,037)  (5,898)
receivables
Increase in trade and other  1,691  2,542  9,029
payables
---------------------------------------------
Cash generated from operations  16,617  16,456  33,854
Interest paid  (1,255)  (1,347)  (2,677)
Interest element of finance  (3)  (16)  (31)
lease rental payments
Interest received  -  -  2
Income tax paid  (1,201)  (394)  (3,065)
---------------------------------------------
Net cash from operating  14,158  14,699  28,083
activities
Investing activities
Proceeds from sale of  3,482  4,105  7,188
property, plant and equipment
Purchase of property, plant  (19,084)  (9,884)  (21,911)
and equipment
Acquisition of businesses and  -  (690)  (690)
subsidiaries (net of cash and
overdrafts)
---------------------------------------------
Net cash from investing  (15,602)  (6,469)  (15,413)
activities
Cash flows from financing
activities
Purchase of Treasury Shares  (1,354)  (282)  (392)
and own shares by Employee
Trust
Repayment of loans  (26,000)  (40,500)  (46,500)
New loans  30,000  35,000  43,000
Payment of hire purchase and  (11)  (168)  (189)
finance lease liabilities
Dividends paid 8 - Â - Â (4,509)
---------------------------------------------
Net cash from financing  2,635  (5,950)  (8,590)
activities
---------------------------------------------
Net increase in cash and cash 1,191 2,280 4,080
equivalents
Effect of exchange rate  (57)  (62)  44
fluctuations on cash held
Cash and cash equivalents at  5,509  1,385  1,385
beginning of period
---------------------------------------------
Cash and cash equivalents at  6,643  3,603  5,509
end of period
---------------------------------------------
Notes to the Condensed Financial Statements
1. Â Basis of Preparation
Vp plc (the "Company") is a company domiciled in the United Kingdom. Â The
Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements of the Company for the half
year ended 30 September 2011 comprise the Company and its subsidiaries (together
referred to as the "Group").
This interim announcement has been prepared in accordance with the Disclosure
and Transparency Rules of the UK Financial Services Authority and the
requirements of IAS34 ("Interim Financial Reporting") as adopted by the EU. Â The
accounting policies applied are consistent for all periods presented and are in
line with those applied in the annual financial statements for the year ended
31 March 2011, which were prepared in accordance with International Financial
Reporting Standards ("IFRS") as adopted by the EU.
The interim announcement was approved by the Board of Directors on 28 November
2011.
The Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements do not include all the
information required for full annual Financial Statements.
The comparative figures for the financial year ended 31 March 2011 are extracted
from the Company's statutory accounts for that financial year. Â Those accounts
have been reported on by the Company's auditors and delivered to the Registrar
of Companies. Â The report of the auditors was (i) unqualified, (ii) did not
include a reference to any matters to which the auditors drew attention by way
of emphasis without qualifying their report, and (iii) did not contain a
statement under section 498 (2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with IFRS requires
management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the
application of policies and reported amounts of assets and liabilities, income
and expenses. Â The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical
experience and various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under
the circumstances; these form the basis of the judgements relating to carrying
values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other
sources. Â Actual results may differ from these estimates.
The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis.
 Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the
estimate is revised if the revision affects only that period, or in the period
of the revision and future periods if the revision affects both current and
future periods.
As stated in the year end accounts, the Group continues to be in a healthy
financial position.  Since the year end net debt has increased by £2.9m to
£43.4m and the Group has put in place a £30m committed revolving facility to
replace the existing £20m committed revolving facility which was due to expire
in September 2011.  The Group's total banking facilities are now £70m, including
an overdraft facility. Â The Board has evaluated these facilities and the
associated covenants on the basis of current forecasts, taking into account the
current economic climate and an appropriate level of sensitivity analysis. Â On
this basis the Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Group has
adequate resources to continue in operation for the foreseeable future and to
manage its business risks. Â For this reason the going concern basis has been
adopted in the preparation of these financial statements.
2. Â Risks and Uncertainties
The risks and uncertainties for the Group have not changed from those disclosed
in the last statutory accounts. Â In particular the Group comprises six
businesses serving different markets and manages the risks inherent to these
activities. Â The key external risks include general economic conditions,
competitor actions, the effect of legislation, credit risk and business
continuity. Â Internal risks relate mainly to investment and controls failure
risk. Â The Group seeks to mitigate exposure to all forms of risk where
practicable and to transfer risk to insurers where cost effective. Â The
diversified nature of the Group limits the exposure to external risks within
particular markets. Â Exposure to credit risk in relation to customers, banks and
insurers is managed through credit control practices including credit insurance
which limits the Group's exposure to bad debts via an aggregate first loss
policy which covers the majority of the Group's accounts receivable. Â Business
continuity plans exist for key operations and accounting centres. Â The Group is
an active acquirer and acquisitions may involve risks that might materially
affect the Group performance. Â These risks are mitigated by extensive due
diligence and appropriate warranties and indemnities from the vendors.
Taking into account these risk mitigation actions and the treasury management
policies described in the 31 March 2011 accounts, the Group's exposure to
market, liquidity and credit risk is considered by the Board to be within normal
parameters and represents an acceptable level of risk.
3. Â Summarised Segmental Analysis
 Revenue  Operating Profit
 Sept 2011  Sept 2010  Sept 2011 Sept 2010
 £000  £000  £000 £000
------------- ------------- ------------------------
Groundforce 17,293 Â 15,572 Â 3,453 3,506
UK Forks 6,646 Â 5,256 Â 1,014 590
Airpac Bukom 10,269 Â 8,544 Â 2,048 1,451
Torrent Trackside 10,007 Â 6,196 Â 1,447 577
TPA 10,512 Â 9,349 Â 2,205 2,146
Hire Station 29,281 Â 26,178 Â 1,457 1,716
------------- ------------- ------------------------
 84,008  71,095  11,624 9,986
------------- -------------
Amortisation     (317) (359)
Exceptional items     - -
------------------------
     11,307 9,627
------------------------
 4.  Exceptional Items
There were no exceptional items during the current period or the prior year
period. The full year results for the year ended 31 March 2011 included
exceptional costs of £589,000 in relation to employment termination and
restructuring costs.
5. Â Income Tax
The effective tax rate of 22.3% in the period to 30 September 2011 (30 September
2010: 24.8%) is made up of two elements. Firstly, an estimated underlying tax
rate of 26.0% which reflects the current standard rate of tax of 26%, as
adjusted for estimated permanent differences for tax purposes offset by gains
covered by exemptions and a small net credit for share options. Secondly there
is a release of £0.4m (3.7%) from the deferred tax balance as a result of the
change in the future UK corporation tax rate from 26% to 25% with effect from 1
April 2012.
6. Â Property, Plant and Equipment
 Sept 2011 Sept 2010 Mar 2011
 £000 £000 £000
Carrying amount 1 April 101,286 98,635 98,635
Additions 17,233 9,677 26,066
Acquisitions - 4 4
Depreciation (9,902) (9,208) (18,558)
Disposals (2,727) Â (2,825) (4,840)
Effect of movements in exchange rates (21) (49) (21)
-----------------------------------
Closing carrying amount 105,869 96,234 101,286
-----------------------------------
The value of capital commitments at 30 September 2011 was £3,316,000 (31 March
2011 £1,197,000).
7. Â Earnings Per Share
Earnings per share have been calculated on 41,406,830 shares (2010: 41,772,783)
being the weighted average number of shares in issue during the period. Â Diluted
earnings per share have been calculated on 43,175,440 shares (2010: 42,388,177)
adjusted to reflect conversion of all potentially dilutive ordinary shares.
 Basic earnings per share before the amortisation of intangibles was 19.41 pence
(2010: 15.43 pence) and was based on an after tax add back of £235,000 (2010:
£258,000).  Diluted earnings per share before amortisation of intangibles was
18.62 pence (2010: 15.21 pence).
8. Â Dividends
The Directors have declared an interim dividend of 3.10 pence (2010: 3.10 pence)
per share payable on 4 January 2012 to shareholders on the register at 9
December 2011. Â The dividend proposed at the year end was subsequently approved
at the AGM in September and therefore accrued, but was not paid in the period
(2010 paid: nil). Â The cost of dividends in the Statement of Changes in Equity
is after adjustments for the interim and final dividends waived by the Vp
Employee Trust in relation to the shares it holds for the Group's share option
schemes together with dividends waived in relation to treasury shares.
9. Â Analysis of Net Debt
 As at  Cash  As at
 1 Apr 11  Flow  30 Sep 11
 £000  £000  £000
Cash in hand and at bank less overdrafts 5,509 1,134 Â 6,643
Revolving credit facilities (46,000) (4,000) (50,000)
Finance leases and hire purchases (21) 11 (10)
---------- --------- ----------
(40,512) (2,855) (43,367)
---------- --------- ----------
The Group's bank facilities comprise of a £35m committed three year revolving
credit facility which expires in May 2013, a £30m committed four year revolving
credit facility expiring in August 2015 and overdraft facilities totalling £5m.
10. Â Related Party Transactions
Transactions between Group Companies, which are related parties, have been
eliminated on consolidation and therefore do not require disclosure.
11. Â Forward Looking Statements
The Chairman's Statement includes statements that are forward looking in nature.
 Forward looking statements involve known and unknown risks, assumptions,
uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance
or achievements of the Group to be materially different from any future results,
performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward looking
statements. Â Except as required by the Listing Rules and applicable law, the
Company undertakes no obligation to update, review or change any forward looking
statements to reflect events or developments occurring after the date of this
report.
Responsibility statement of the directors in respect of the half-yearly
financial report
We confirm that to the best of our knowledge:
· the condensed set of financial statements has been prepared in accordance with
IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting as adopted by the EU
· the interim management report includes a fair review of the information
required by:
(a) DTR 4.2.7R of the Disclosure and Transparency Rules, being an indication of
important events that have occurred during the first six months of the financial
year and their impact on the condensed set of financial statements; and a
description of the principal risks and uncertainties for the remaining six
months of the year; and
(b) DTR 4.2.8R of the Disclosure and Transparency Rules, being related party
transactions that have taken place in the first six months of the current
financial year and that have materially affected the financial position or
performance of the entity during that period; and any changes in the related
party transactions described in the last annual report that could do so.
By order of the Board
29 November 2011
The Board
The Directors who served during the 6 months to 30 September 2011 were:
Jeremy Pilkington (Chairman)
Neil Stothard
Allison Bainbridge
Peter Parkin
Steve Rogers
Independent Review Report to Vp plc
Introduction
We have been engaged by the Company to review the condensed set of financial
statements in the half-yearly financial report for the six months ended 30
September 2011 which comprises the condensed consolidated interim income
statement, the condensed consolidated interim statement of comprehensive income,
the condensed consolidated interim balance sheet, the condensed consolidated
interim statement of changes in shareholders' equity, the condensed consolidated
interim cash flow statement and the related explanatory notes. Â We have read the
other information contained in the half-yearly financial report and considered
whether it contains any apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies with
the information in the condensed set of financial statements.
This report is made solely to the Company in accordance with the terms of our
engagement to assist the Company in meeting the requirements of the Disclosure
and Transparency Rules ("the DTR") of the UK's Financial Services Authority
("the UK FSA"). Â Our review has been undertaken so that we might state to the
Company those matters we are required to state to it in this report and for no
other purpose. Â To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or
assume responsibility to anyone other than the Company for our review work, for
this report, or for the conclusions we have reached.
Directors' responsibilities
The half-yearly financial report is the responsibility of, and has been approved
by, the Directors. Â The Directors are responsible for preparing the half-yearly
financial report in accordance with the DTR of the UK FSA.
As disclosed in note 1, the annual financial statements of the Group are
prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the EU. Â The condensed set of
financial statements included in this half-yearly financial report has been
prepared in accordance with IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting as adopted by the
EU.
Our responsibility
Our responsibility is to express to the Company a conclusion on the condensed
set of financial statements in the half-yearly financial report based on our
review.
Scope of review
We conducted our review in accordance with International Standard on Review
Engagements (UK and Ireland) 2410 Review of Interim Financial Information
Performed by the Independent Auditor of the Entity issued by the Auditing
Practices Board for use in the UK. Â A review of interim financial information
consists of making enquiries, primarily of persons responsible for financial and
accounting matters, and applying analytical and other review procedures. Â A
review is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with
International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland) and consequently does not
enable us to obtain assurance that we would become aware of all significant
matters that might be identified in an audit. Â Accordingly, we do not express an
audit opinion.
Conclusion
Based on our review, nothing has come to our attention that causes us to believe
that the condensed set of financial statements in the half-yearly financial
report for the six months ended 30 September 2011 is not prepared, in all
material respects, in accordance with IAS 34 as adopted by the EU and the DTR of
the UK FSA.
Chris Hearld
For and on behalf of KPMG Audit Plc
Chartered Accountants
Leeds
29 November 2011
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