Directors' responsibility statement

Responsibility statement of the directors in respect of the annual financial report

We confirm that to the best of our knowledge:

the Group and parent company financial statements, prepared in accordance with the applicable United Kingdom law and in conformity with IFRS, give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit or loss of the company and the undertakings included in the consolidation taken as a whole; and


the Business Review includes a fair review of the development and performance of the business and the position of the issuer and the undertakings included in the consolidation taken as a whole, together with a description of the principal risks and uncertainties that they face.



Signed on behalf of the Board by:


Terry Burman Group Chief Executive


Walker Boyd Group Finance Director


9 April 2008