1 Accounting policies

A Basis of preparation

The Group financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) as adopted by the European Union, and with those parts of the UK Companies Act 1985 applicable to companies reporting under IFRS. The Group’s financial statements also comply with IFRS as issued by the IASB.

The Group presents its balance sheet broadly in order of liquidity. This is considered to be more relevant than a before or after 12 months presentation, given the long term nature of the Group’s core business. However, for each asset and liability line item which combines amounts expected to be recovered or settled before and after 12 months from the balance sheet date, disclosure of the split is made by way of a note.

Financial assets and financial liabilities are disclosed gross in the balance sheet unless a legally enforceable right of offset exists and there is an intention to settle recognised amounts on a net basis. Income and expenses are not offset in the income statement unless required or permitted by any accounting standard or International Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee (IFRIC) interpretation, as detailed in the applicable accounting policies of the Group.

The Group has chosen to adopt IFRS 8, ‘Operating Segments’, in 2008, in advance of the 31 December 2009 deadline. IFRS 8 supersedes the disclosure requirements of IAS 14, ‘Segment Reporting’ and reflects the basis on which the business is managed. In accordance with the provisions of the standard, comparatives have been restated. There is no impact on current or prior year profit or net assets resulting from the adoption of this standard, as its provisions relate to disclosure.

B Use of estimates

The preparation of the financial statements includes the use of estimates and assumptions which affect items reported in the consolidated balance sheet and income statement and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements. Although these estimates are based on management’s best knowledge of current circumstances and future events and actions, actual results may differ from those estimates, possibly significantly. This is particularly relevant to the determination of fair values of unquoted financial investments (Notes 18 and 19), estimation of deferred acquisition costs (Note 22), tax balances (Notes 23 and 24), and insurance and investment contract liabilities (Notes 33 and 34) and associated balances.

The significant estimates and assumptions used are disclosed in the relevant notes to these financial statements, including Note 37 on Long term insurance valuation assumptions.

C Summary of significant accounting policies

The Group has selected accounting policies which fairly state its financial position and financial performance for a reporting period. The accounting policies have been consistently applied to all years presented, unless otherwise stated.

The principal accounting policies adopted in preparing these financial statements are set out below.

D Consolidation principles

Subsidiary undertakings
The consolidated financial statements incorporate the assets, liabilities, equity, revenues, expenses and cash flows of the Company and of its subsidiary undertakings drawn up to 31 December each year. All intra-group balances, transactions, income and expenses are eliminated in full. Subsidiaries are those entities (including special purpose entities, mutual funds and unit trusts) over which the Group directly or indirectly has the power to govern the operating and financial policies in order to gain economic benefits (Note 45). Profits or losses of subsidiary undertakings sold or acquired during the period are included in the consolidated results up to the date of disposal or from the date of gaining control.

Acquisitions
The Group applies the purchase method in its accounting for the acquisition of subsidiaries. The cost of an acquisition is measured as the fair value of the assets transferred, equity instruments issued and liabilities incurred or assumed at the date of exchange, plus costs directly attributable to the acquisition. The excess of the cost of acquisition over the fair value of the Group’s share of the net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. If the cost of acquisition is less than the fair value of the Group’s share of the net assets of the subsidiary acquired, the difference is recognised directly in the income statement.

Associates and joint ventures
Associates are entities over which the Group has significant influence but which it does not control. Consistent with IAS 28, ‘Investments in Associates’, it is presumed that the Group has significant influence where it has between 20% and 50% of the voting rights in the investee. Joint ventures are entities where the Group and other parties undertake an activity which is subject to joint control.

The Group has interests in associates and joint ventures which form part of an investment portfolio held through private equity partnerships, mutual funds, unit trusts and similar entities. In accordance with the choices permitted by IAS 28 and IAS 31, ‘Interests in Joint Ventures’, these interests have been classified as fair value through profit or loss and measured at fair value within financial investments, with changes in fair value recognised in the income statement.

Associates which do not form part of an investment portfolio are initially recognised in the balance sheet at cost. The carrying amount of the associate is increased or decreased to reflect the Group’s share of the profit or loss after the date of the acquisition.

Investment vehicles
Investment vehicles such as Open Ended Investment Companies, where a Group company exerts control over financial and operating policy, are consolidated. The interests of parties other than the Group in such vehicles are classified as liabilities and appear as ‘Net asset value attributable to unit holders’ in the consolidated balance sheet.

E Product classification

The Group’s products are classified for accounting purposes as either insurance contracts (participating and non-participating) or investment contracts (participating and non-participating). Insurance contracts are contracts which transfer significant insurance risk to the insurer at the inception of the contract. Contracts which do not transfer significant insurance risk to the insurer are classified as investment contracts. Hybrid contract types, containing both insurance and investment features, have been treated as investment contracts when accounting for premiums, claims and other revenue.

A number of insurance and investment contracts contain discretionary participating features (DPF) which entitle the policyholders to receive guaranteed benefits as well as additional benefits:

• the amount or timing of which is contractually at the discretion of the Group; and
• which are contractually based on:
  • the performance of a specified pool of contracts or a specified type of contract;
  • realised and/or unrealised investment returns on a specified pool of assets held by the issuer; or
  • the profit or loss of the Company, fund or other entity which issues the contract.

Contracts with DPF are referred to as participating contracts. With-profits contracts in the UK and most Guarantie Long Terme contracts in France are classified as participating.

F Long term insurance contracts

Premium income
Premiums are recognised as revenue when the liabilities arising from them are created.

Claims
Death claims are accounted for on notification of death. Surrenders for non-linked policies are accounted for when payment is made. Critical illness claims are accounted for when admitted. All other claims and surrenders are accounted for when payment is due. Claims payable include the direct costs of settlement.

Acquisition costs
Acquisition costs comprise direct costs, such as initial commission, and the indirect costs of obtaining and processing new business. Acquisition costs relating to non-participating insurance contracts written outside the with-profits part of the UK Long Term Funds (LTFs) which are incurred during a financial year are deferred by use of an asset which is amortised over the period during which the costs are expected to be recoverable, and in accordance with the expected incidence of future related margins. For participating contracts, acquisition costs are charged to the income statement when incurred.

Insurance contract liabilities 
Under current IFRS requirements, insurance contract liabilities are measured using local Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), as permitted by IFRS 4, ‘Insurance Contracts’.

In the UK, insurance contract liabilities are determined following an annual investigation of the LTFs in accordance with regulatory requirements.

For non-participating insurance contracts, the liabilities are calculated on the basis of current information using the gross premium valuation method. This brings into account the full premiums receivable under contracts written, having prudent regard to expected lapses and surrenders, estimated renewal and maintenance costs and contractually guaranteed benefits. For unit linked insurance contract liabilities the provision is based on the fund value together with an allowance for any excess of future expenses over charges where appropriate.

For participating contracts, the liabilities to policyholders are determined on a realistic basis in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard (FRS) 27, ‘Life Assurance’. This includes an assessment of the cost of any future options and guarantees granted to policyholders valued on a market consistent basis. The calculation also takes account of bonus decisions which are consistent with Legal & General Assurance Society Ltd.’s (Society’s) Principles and Practices of Financial Management (PPFM). The shareholders’ share of the future cost of bonuses is excluded from the assessment of the realistic liability.

In determining the realistic value of liabilities for participating contracts, the value of future profits on non-participating business written in the with-profits part of the fund is accounted for as part of the calculation. The present value of future profits (VIF) on this business is separately determined and its value is deducted from the sum of the liabilities for participating contracts and the unallocated divisible surplus.

The long term insurance contract liabilities for business transacted by overseas subsidiaries are determined on the basis of recognised actuarial methods which reflect local supervisory principles or, in the case of the USA, on the basis of US GAAP.

Long term business liabilities can never be definitive as to their timing or the amount of claims and are therefore subject to regular reassessment.

Unitised liabilities are recognised when premiums are received and non-unitised liabilities are recognised when premiums are due.

Unallocated divisible surplus
The nature of benefits for participating contracts is such that the allocation of surpluses between ordinary equity holders and participating policyholders is uncertain. The amount of surplus which has not been allocated at the balance sheet date is classified within liabilities as the unallocated divisible surplus. Adjustments made to comply with FRS 27 are charged to the unallocated divisible surplus.

G Investment contracts

Premium income
For investment contracts, amounts collected as premiums are not included in the income statement but are reported as contributions to investment contract liabilities in the balance sheet.

Revenue from investment contracts

Fees charged for investment management services are recognised as revenue as the services are provided. Initial fees, which exceed the level of recurring fees and relate to the future provision of services, are deferred and amortised over the anticipated period in which the services will be provided.

Fees charged for investment management services for institutional and retail fund management are also recognised on this basis.

Claims
Claims are not included in the income statement but are deducted from investment contract liabilities. The movement in investment contract liabilities consists of claims incurred in the period less the corresponding elimination of the policyholder liability originally recognised in the balance sheet and the investment return credited to policyholders.

Acquisition costs
For participating investment contracts, acquisition costs comprise direct costs such as initial commission and the indirect costs of obtaining and processing new business. These costs are charged to the income statement when incurred.

For non-participating investment contracts, only directly related acquisition costs which vary with, and are related to, securing new contracts and renewing existing contracts, are deferred and amortised over the period during which the costs are expected to be recoverable from future revenue. All other costs are recognised as expenses when incurred.

Trail commission
The Group operates distribution agreements with intermediaries where further commission costs are payable in each period which a relevant policy remains in-force. For relevant non-participating investment contracts, a liability for the present value of this future commission cost is recognised in the balance sheet on inception of the contract. The present value of future commission costs is deferred as an asset and amortised over the period during which the related revenue will be recognised. At each subsequent reporting date, the liability is remeasured to fair value because this financial liability is part of a portfolio of unit linked assets and liabilities whose performance is evaluated on a fair value basis. Any increase in the liability is recognised as an additional deferred cost. Any change in lapse assumptions or revisions to the underlying assumptions for future cash flows will be reflected in the fair value movement for a period. If the future commission liability decreases, a corresponding adjustment is made to the amortisation of the asset.

Investment contract liabilities
Under current IFRS requirements, participating investment contract liabilities are measured using local GAAP, as permitted by IFRS 4 (see above for insurance contract liabilities). In the UK, participating investment contract liabilities are determined in accordance with FRS 27, including a value for guarantees, in the same way as insurance contracts.

Non-participating investment contracts consist of unit linked contracts. Unit linked liabilities are measured at fair value by reference to the value of the underlying net asset values of the Group’s unitised investment funds at the balance sheet date.

Unitised liabilities are recognised when premiums are received and non-unitised liabilities are recognised when premiums are due.

H General insurance business

Results for the General insurance business are determined after taking account of unearned premiums, outstanding claims and unexpired risks using the annual basis of accounting.

Premium income
Premiums are accounted for in the period in which the risk commences. Estimates are included for premiums not notified by the year end and provision is made for the anticipated lapse of renewals not yet confirmed. Those proportions of premiums written in a year which relate to periods of risk extending beyond the end of the year are carried forward as unearned premiums.

Acquisition costs
A proportion of commission and other acquisition costs relating to unearned premiums is carried forward as deferred acquisition costs or, in respect of reinsurance outwards, as deferred income.

Technical liabilities
Liabilities, together with related reinsurance recoveries, are established on the basis of current information. Such liabilities can never be definitive as to their timing or the amount of claims and are therefore subject to subsequent reassessment on a regular basis.

Claims and related reinsurance recoveries are accounted for in respect of all incidents up to the year end. Provision is made on the basis of available information for the estimated ultimate cost, including claims settlement expenses, of claims reported but not yet settled and claims incurred but not yet reported. An unexpired risk provision is made for any overall excess of expected claims and deferred acquisition costs over unearned premiums and after taking account of investment return.

I Liability adequacy tests

The Group performs liability adequacy testing on its insurance liabilities to ensure that the carrying amount of liabilities (less related deferred acquisition costs) is sufficient to cover current estimates of future cash flows. When performing the liability adequacy test, the Group discounts all contractual cash flows and compares this amount with the carrying value of the liability. Any deficiency is immediately charged to the income statement, initially reducing deferred acquisition costs and then by establishing a provision for losses.

J Reinsurance

The Group’s insurance subsidiaries cede insurance premiums and risk in the normal course of business in order to limit the potential for losses and to provide financing. Outwards reinsurance premiums are accounted for in the same accounting period as the related premiums for the direct or inwards reinsurance business being reinsured. Reinsurance assets include balances due from reinsurers for paid and unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses, ceded unearned premiums and ceded future life policy benefits. Amounts recoverable from reinsurers are estimated in a manner consistent with the claim liability associated with the reinsured policy. Reinsurance is recorded as an asset in the consolidated balance sheet unless a right of offset exists, in which case the associated liabilities are reduced commensurately.

K Intangible assets

Goodwill
Goodwill on the acquisition of subsidiaries prior to 1998 has been charged directly to reserves. On disposal, goodwill held in reserves is transferred directly to retained earnings. From 1998, the Group’s policy is to recognise goodwill on the balance sheet as an intangible asset, measured at cost less any accumulated impairment losses.

Purchased interest in long term businesses and other intangible assets
Portfolios of in-force insurance or investment contracts acquired either directly or through the acquisition of a subsidiary undertaking are capitalised at fair value. The value of business acquired represents the present value of anticipated future profits in acquired contracts. These amounts are amortised over the anticipated lives of the related contracts in the portfolio. Other intangible assets acquired via business combinations are recognised at fair value and are subsequently amortised over their useful life in line with the expected emergence of profit from the business.

L Investments

Investment property
Investment property comprises land and buildings which are held for long term rental yields and capital growth. It is carried at fair value with changes in fair value recognised in the income statement within investment return. Investment property in the UK is valued bi-annually by external chartered surveyors at open market values in accordance with the ‘Appraisal and Valuation Manual’ of The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. Outside the UK, valuations are produced in conjunction with external qualified professional valuers in the countries concerned. In the event of a material change in market conditions between the valuation date and balance sheet date, an internal valuation is performed and adjustments made to reflect any material changes in fair value.

Financial investments
The Group classifies its financial investments on initial recognition as held for trading (HFT), designated at fair value through profit or loss (FVTPL), available-for-sale (AFS) or loans and receivables. Initial recognition of financial investments is on the trade date.

The Group’s policy is to measure investments at FVTPL except for certain overseas assets where the related liability is valued on a passive basis (not using current information), in which case investments are classified as AFS. All derivatives other than those designated as hedges are classified as HFT.

Certain financial investments held by the Group are designated as FVTPL as their performance is evaluated on a total return basis, consistent with asset performance reporting to the Group Investment and Market Risk Committee and the Group’s investment strategy. Assets designated as FVTPL include debt securities and equity instruments which would otherwise have been classified as AFS under IAS 39, ‘Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement’. Assets backing participating and non-participating policyholder liabilities outside the US are designated as FVTPL. For participating contracts the assets are managed on a fair value basis to maximise the total return to policyholders over the contract life. The Group’s non-participating investment contract liabilities outside of the US are measured on the basis of current information and are designated as FVTPL to avoid an accounting mismatch in the income statement.

The fair values of quoted financial investments are based on current bid prices. If the market for a financial investment is not active, the Group establishes fair value by using valuation techniques such as recent arm’s length transactions, consensus market pricing, reference to similar listed investments, discounted cash flow models or option pricing models.

Private equity investments are valued in accordance with the International Private Equity and Venture Capital Valuation Guidelines, which represent current best practice, developed by the Association Français des Investisseurs en Capital, the British Venture Capital Association and the European Private Equity and Venture Capital Association. The techniques used for determining fair value include earnings multiples, the price of a recent investment or a net asset basis.

Financial investments classified as HFT and FVTPL are measured at fair value with gains and losses reflected in the income statement.

Financial investments classified as AFS are measured at fair value with unrealised gains and losses recognised in a separate reserve within equity. Realised gains and losses, impairment losses, dividends, interest and foreign exchange movements on non-equity instruments are reflected in the income statement.

Loans and receivables are initially measured at fair value less acquisition costs, and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

M Plant and equipment

The initial cost of an item of plant or equipment is capitalised where it is probable that future economic benefits associated with the item will flow to the Group and the cost of the item can be measured reliably. The cost is then depreciated on a straight line basis over the item’s estimated useful working life. No residual values are imputed to any item of plant and equipment.

N Impairment policy

The Group reviews the carrying value of its financial assets (other than those held at FVTPL) at each balance sheet date. If the carrying value of a financial asset is impaired, the carrying value is reduced through a charge to the income statement. There must be objective evidence of impairment as a result of one or more events which have occurred after the initial recognition of the asset. Impairment is only recognised if the loss event has an impact on the estimated future cash flows of assets held at amortised cost or fair value of assets classified as AFS.

Non-financial assets which have an indefinite useful life are not subjected to amortisation and are tested annually for impairment. Assets which are subject to amortisation are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. The recoverable amount is the higher of an asset’s fair value less costs to sell and value in use.

O Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, treasury bills and other short term highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less.

P Derivative financial instruments and hedge accounting

The Group’s activities expose it to the financial risks of changes in foreign exchange rates and interest rates. The Group uses derivatives such as foreign exchange forward contracts and interest rate swap contracts to hedge these exposures. The Group uses hedge accounting, provided the prescribed criteria in IAS 39 are met, to recognise the offsetting effects of changes in the fair value or cash flow of the derivative instrument and the hedged item. The Group’s principal uses of hedge accounting are to:

1. recognise in shareholders’ equity the changes in the fair value of derivatives designated as hedges of a net investment in a foreign operation. Any cumulative gains and/or losses are recognised in the income statement on disposal of the foreign operation;
2. defer in equity the changes in the fair value of derivatives designated as the hedge of a future cash flow attributable to a recognised asset or liability, a highly probable forecast transaction, or a firm commitment until the period in which the future transaction affects profit or loss or is no longer expected to occur; and
3. hedge the fair value movements in loans due to interest rate and exchange rate fluctuations. Any gain or loss from remeasuring the hedging instrument at fair value is recognised immediately in the income statement. Any gain or loss on the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk is adjusted against the carrying amount of the hedged item and recognised in the income statement.

The relationship between the hedging instrument and the hedged item, together with the risk management objective and strategy for undertaking the hedge transaction, are documented at the inception of the transaction. The effectiveness of the hedge is documented and monitored on an ongoing basis. Hedge accounting is only applied for highly effective hedges (between 80% and 125% effectiveness) with any ineffective portion of the gain or loss recognised in the income statement, within other expenses, in the current period.

Certain derivative instruments do not qualify for hedge accounting. Changes in the fair value of any derivative instruments which do not qualify for hedge accounting are recognised immediately in the income statement.

Where the risks and characteristics of derivatives embedded in other contracts are not closely related to those of the host contract and the whole contract is not carried at fair value, the derivative is separated from that host contract and measured at fair value, with fair value movements reflected within investment return, unless the embedded derivative itself meets the definition of an insurance contract.

Q Borrowings

Borrowings are recognised initially at fair value, net of transaction costs. Borrowings classified as liabilities are subsequently stated at amortised cost. The difference between the net proceeds and the redemption value is recognised in the income statement over the borrowing period using the effective interest method.

Borrowings comprise unsecured subordinated debt such as Tier 1 and Tier 2 bond issues, short and long term unsecured senior debt such as long dated bond issues, commercial paper issuance and bank borrowings under both committed and uncommitted debt facilities including bank overdrafts. Borrowings raised from individual banks, syndicated banks and capital markets secured on specific assets/cash flows such as Triple X securitisations and property partnerships’ assets are included as non recourse borrowings, as are mortgage loans raised by SIPP clients secured on their properties invested in their portfolio of linked SIPP investments which we manage on their behalf.

R Income taxes

Income tax

Income tax comprises current and deferred tax. Income tax is recognised in the income statement except where it relates to an item which is recognised in equity.

Current tax is the expected tax payable on the taxable profit for the period and any adjustment to the tax payable in respect of previous periods.

The total income tax expense for the period includes income tax paid by Society in respect of UK life policyholder returns, which is not related to profits earned by equity holders for the period. The income tax charge in the income statement has therefore been apportioned between the element attributable to policyholder returns and the element attributable to equity holders’ profits (equity holder tax).

Deferred income tax
Deferred income tax is provided in full, using the balance sheet liability method, on temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for tax purposes. Deferred tax is measured using tax rates expected to apply when the related deferred income tax asset is realised or the deferred income tax liability is settled, based on tax rates and law which have been enacted or substantively enacted at the balance sheet date.

Deferred income tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profits will be available against which the temporary differences can be utilised.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are not discounted.

Deferred income tax is provided on temporary differences arising on investments in subsidiaries and associates, except where the Group controls the timing of the reversal of the temporary difference and it is probable that the temporary difference will not reverse in the foreseeable future (or if it will, then it will not generate any incremental tax liability for the Group).

No deferred tax is provided on the undeclared surplus in Society’s LTF represented by the Shareholder Retained Capital (SRC) on the grounds that, at the balance sheet date, no obligation to make a declaration of surplus exists and there is no expectation that such a declaration will occur. At 31 December 2007, there was an expectation that a future declaration of surplus would be made and deferred tax was therefore provided at the incremental tax rate on the balance of the SRC which remained in Society’s LTF.

S Leases

Where a significant proportion of the risks and rewards of ownership is retained by the lessor, leases are classified as operating leases. Payments made as lessees under operating leases (net of any incentives from the lessor) are charged to the income statement on a straight line basis over the period of the lease.

T Employee benefits

Pension obligations
The Group operates a number of defined benefit and defined contribution pension schemes in the UK and overseas. The assets of all UK defined benefit schemes are held in separate trustee administered funds which are subject to regular actuarial valuation every three years, updated by formal reviews at reporting dates.

The liability recognised in the balance sheet in respect of defined benefit pension schemes is the present value of the defined benefit obligation at the balance sheet date less the fair value of plan assets. Plan assets exclude any insurance contracts issued by the Group. The defined benefit obligation is actuarially calculated each year using the projected unit credit method. The present value of the defined benefit obligation is determined by discounting the estimated future cash outflows. The discount rate is based on market yields of high quality corporate bonds which are denominated in the currency in which the benefits will be paid, and that have terms to maturity which approximate to those of the related pension liability.

Where the unallocated divisible surplus or equity holders’ funds are affected as a result of actuarial gains and losses on the defined benefit pension scheme, the charge or credit is not recognised in the income statement but through the statement of recognised income and expense (SORIE).

The Group pays contractual contributions in respect of defined contribution schemes. The Group has no further payment obligations once the contributions have been paid. The contributions are recognised as employee benefit expenses when they are due. Prepaid contributions are recognised as an asset to the extent that a cash refund or a reduction in future payments is available. Obligations under defined benefit pension schemes are included within provisions.

Share-based payments
The Group operates a number of share-based payment schemes. The fair value at the date of grant of the equity instrument is recognised as an expense, spread over the vesting period of the instrument. The total amount to be expensed is determined by reference to the fair value of the awards, excluding the impact of any non-market vesting conditions. At each balance sheet date, the Group revises its estimate of the number of equity instruments which are expected to become exercisable. It recognises the impact of the revision of original estimates, if any, in the income statement, and a corresponding adjustment is made to equity. On vesting or exercise, the difference between the expense charged to the income statement and the actual cost to the Group is transferred to retained earnings. Where new shares are issued, the proceeds received are credited to share capital and share premium.

U Share capital and employee scheme shares

Equity instruments
An equity instrument is any contract which evidences a residual interest in the net assets of an entity. It follows that a financial instrument is treated as equity if:

• there is no contractual obligation to deliver cash or other financial assets or to exchange financial assets or liabilities on unfavourable terms; and
• the instrument is either a non-derivative which contains no contractual obligation to deliver a variable number of own equity instruments, or is a derivative which will be settled only by the Group exchanging a fixed amount of cash or other financial assets, for a fixed number of its own equity instruments.

Share issue costs
Incremental costs directly attributable to the issue of new shares are shown in equity as a deduction, net of tax, from the proceeds. An incremental share issue cost is one which would not have arisen if shares had not been issued.

Legal & General shares
Where any Group entity purchases the Company’s equity share capital, the consideration paid, including any directly attributable incremental costs (net of income taxes), is deducted from equity attributable to shareholders. Where such shares are subsequently sold, reissued or otherwise disposed of, any consideration received is included in equity attributable to shareholders, net of any directly attributable incremental transaction costs and the related income tax effects. Shares held on behalf of employee share schemes are disclosed as such on the balance sheet.

Where shares are cancelled under the share buyback programme, the consideration paid, including any directly attributable incremental costs, is deducted from equity attributable to shareholders. As required by Companies Act 1985, the equivalent of the nominal value of shares cancelled is transferred to a capital redemption reserve.

Dividend recognition
A dividend distribution to the Company’s shareholders is recognised as a liability in the period in which the dividends are authorised and are no longer at the discretion of the Company. Final dividends are accrued when approved by the Company’s shareholders at a general meeting and interim dividends are recognised when paid.

V Fiduciary activities

Assets and income arising from fiduciary activities, together with associated commitments to return such assets to customers, are not included in these financial statements. Where the Group acts in a fiduciary capacity, for instance as a trustee or agent, it has no contractual rights over the assets concerned.

W Provisions

Provisions are recognised when the Group has a present legal or constructive obligation as a result of past events, it is probable that an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation and a reliable estimate of the amount of the obligation can be made. Where the Group expects a provision to be reimbursed, for example under an insurance contract, the reimbursement is recognised as a separate asset but only when the reimbursement is virtually certain. The Group recognises a provision for onerous contracts when the expected benefits to be derived from a contract are less than the unavoidable costs of meeting the obligations under the contract.

X Foreign currency translation

Foreign currency transactions
Foreign currency transactions are translated into the functional currency using the exchange rate prevailing at the date of the transactions. The functional currency of the Group’s foreign operations is the currency of the primary economic environment in which these entities operate. Foreign exchange gains and losses are recognised in the income statement, except when recognised in equity as qualifying cash flow or net investment hedges.

Overseas subsidiaries
The assets and liabilities of all of the Group’s foreign operations are translated into sterling, the Group’s presentational currency, at the closing rate at the date of the balance sheet. The income and expenses for each income statement are translated at average exchange rates. On consolidation, exchange differences arising from the translation of the net investment in foreign entities, and of borrowings and other currency instruments designated as hedges of such investments, are taken to a separate component of shareholders’ equity.

Y Investment return

The reporting of investment return comprises investment income, unrealised gains and losses from financial investments held at FVTPL and realised gains and losses from all financial assets.

Investment income includes dividends, interest and rent. Dividends are accrued on an ex-dividend basis. Interest and rent are included on an accruals basis. Interest income for financial assets which are not classified as FVTPL is recognised using the effective interest method.

Z Operational income and expenses

Operational income comprises fee income from estate agency operations and agency fee income relating to distribution services. Operational income is accounted for when due.

Other expenses comprise primarily the expenses incurred in estate agency operations, institutional fund management and retail investment business, together with unallocated corporate expenses. Other costs are accounted for as they arise.

AA Earnings per share

Earnings per share
Earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income attributable to ordinary equity holders by the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the year, excluding employee scheme shares and shares acquired under the share buyback programme prior to cancellation. For this purpose, net income is defined as the profit after tax derived from continuing operations, or as the profit after tax derived from both continuing and discontinued operations.

Diluted earnings per share
For diluted earnings per share, the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue, excluding employee scheme shares, is adjusted to assume conversion of all dilutive potential ordinary shares, such as share options granted to employees. Potential or contingent share issuances are treated as dilutive when their conversion to shares would decrease net earnings per share.

AB Segmental reporting

Under the requirements of IFRS 8, operating and reportable segments are presented in a manner consistent with the internal reporting provided to the chief operating decision maker, which has been identified as the Board of Legal & General Group Plc.

AC Standards, interpretations and amendments to published standards that are not yet effective

Certain new standards, amendments and interpretations to existing standards have been published which are mandatory for the Group’s accounting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2009 or later periods but which the Group has not adopted early, as follows:

• Revised IAS 1, ‘Presentation of financial statements’ – Comprehensive revision including requiring a statement of comprehensive income (effective from 1 January 2009). The revision is aimed at improving users’ ability to analyse and compare the information given in financial statements. It prohibits the presentation of items of income and expenses in the statement of changes in equity, and requires changes in equity attributable to shareholders to be presented separately to changes in equity resulting from transactions and other events other than those resulting from transactions with shareholders. These amendments are presentational and are not likely to have a material impact on the Group accounts.
• Revised IAS 1, ‘Presentation of financial statements’ and IAS 32, ‘Financial instruments –presentation’– Amendments relating to disclosure of puttable instruments and obligations arising on liquidation (effective from 1 January 2009). The amendments require the following disclosures if an entity has a puttable instrument that is presented as equity : summary quantitative data about the amount classified as equity and the entity’s objectives, policies and processes for managing its obligation to repurchase or redeem the instruments when required to do so by the instrument holders, including any changes from the previous period. These amendments are presentational and are not likely to have a material impact on the Group accounts.
• There are various amendments resulting from the IASB’s annual improvements project published in May 2008 (effective from both 1 January 2009 and 1 July 2009), these are unlikely to have a material impact on the Group accounts.
• Revised IFRS 7, ‘Financial instruments disclosures’. In March 2009, the IASB issued ‘Improving Disclosures about Financial Instruments (Amendments to IFRS 7)’ requiring enhanced disclosures about fair value measurements and liquidity risk. The disclosures include a three-level hierarchy for reporting the fair value movements: Level 1 – fair values measured using quoted prices in an active market for identical assets or liabilities, Level 2 – fair values measured using valuation techniques for which all inputs significant to the measurement are based on observable market data and Level 3 – fair values measured using valuation techniques for which any input significant to the measurement is not based on observable market data. The amendments are required for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2009 with earlier application permitted. These amendments are presentational and are not likely to have a material impact on the Group accounts.
• Revised IAS 23, ‘Borrowing costs’ (effective from 1 January 2009). The revision requires an entity to capitalise borrowing costs directly attributable to the acquisition, construction or production of a qualifying asset as part of the cost of that asset with the removal of the option to immediately expense those costs. The Group considers that this amendment will have an immaterial impact on the financial statements.
• Amendments to IFRS 2, ‘Share-based payment’ (effective from 1 January 2009). The amendments clarify what vesting conditions are, and specify the accounting treatment for cancellations of granted equity instruments. The anticipated impact is not expected to be material.
• Revised IAS 27, ‘Consolidated and separate financial statements’ (effective from 1 July 2009). This standard requires the effect of all transactions with non-controlling interests to be recorded in equity if there is no change in control. It also specifies the accounting when control is lost. The Group does not consider that this amendment will result in any significant impact on the financial statements.
• Revised IFRS 3, ‘Business combinations’ – This standard comprehensively revises the acquisition method of accounting with consequential amendments to IAS 27 ‘Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements’, IAS 28 ‘Investments in Associates’ and IAS 31 ‘Interests in Joint Ventures’ (effective from 1 July 2009). The standard continues to apply the acquisition method to business combinations, with some significant changes e.g. all payments to purchase a business are to be recorded at fair value at the acquisition date, with some contingent payments subsequently re-measured at fair value through income. Goodwill may be calculated based on the parent’s share of net assets or may include goodwill related to the minority interest. All transaction costs will be expensed. The requirements of this standard will be considered for future business acquisitions.
• Amendment to IAS 39, ‘Financial Instruments: Recognition and measurement’ – This standard amends eligible hedged items (effective from 1 July 2009). The amendment clarifies how the existing principles underlying hedge accounting should be applied in two particular situations. The responses to an exposure draft of proposed guidance (published in September 2007) indicated that diversity in practice existed, or was likely to exist, in the designation of a one-sided risk in a hedged item and inflation in a financial hedged item. The IASB has therefore focused on developing application guidance to illustrate how the principles underlying hedge accounting should be applied in those situations. The Group does not consider that these amendments will have a material impact on the financial statements.
• Revised IFRS 1, ‘First-time adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards’ – This standard amends the rules on cost of an investment on first-time adoption and IAS 27, ‘Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements’ (effective from 1 January 2009). This amendment is not relevant to the Group’s financial statements.
• Amendment to IAS 39, ‘Financial Instruments: Recognition and measurement’ and IFRS 7, ‘Financial Instruments: Disclosures’ (effective 30 June 2009). The amendments permit reclassification of some financial instruments out of the fair-value-through-profit-or-loss category (FVTPL) and out of the available-for-sale category. The amendments do not permit reclassification into FVTPL. These amendments are not relevant to the Group’s financial statements as the Group has not made use of the reclassification amendments.
• IFRIC 15, ‘Agreements for construction of real estates’ (effective from 1 January 2009). This interpretation clarifies whether IAS 18, ‘Revenue’, or IAS 11, ‘Construction contracts’, should be applied to particular transactions. IFRIC 15 is not relevant to the Group’s operations as all revenue transactions are accounted for under IAS 18 and not IAS 11.
• IFRIC 16, ‘Hedges of a net investment in a foreign operation’ (effective from 1 October 2008). This clarifies the accounting treatment in respect of net investment hedging. The IFRIC is not expected to have a material impact on the Group’s financial statements.
• IFRIC 17, ‘Distributions of non-cash assets to owners’ (effective from 1 July 2009). The interpretation clarifies that a dividend payable should be recognised when the dividend is appropriately authorised and is no longer at the discretion of the entity; an entity should measure the dividend payable at the fair value of the net assets to be distributed; an entity should recognise the difference between the dividend paid and the carrying amount of the net assets distributed in profit or loss; and an entity will provide additional disclosures if the net assets being held for distribution to owners meet the definition of a discontinued operation. The IFRIC is not expected to have a material impact on the Group’s financial statements.
• IFRIC 18, ‘Transfers of assets from customers’ (effective from 1 July 2009). This IFRIC clarifies the requirements of IFRSs for agreements in which an entity receives from a customer an item of property, plant, and equipment that the entity must then use either to connect the customer to a network or to provide the customer with ongoing access to a supply of goods or services (such as a supply of electricity, gas or water). This IFRIC is not relevant to the Group’s operations as the Group does not have such agreements with customers.