Continued, strong operational cash and [net cash generation], coupled with the Board’s confidence in the prospects for further growth in cash generation underpins the decision to recommend an 25% increase in the final dividend to 3.42p (2009: 2.73p) per share at a cost of £201m (2009: £160m).

As economic and regulatory uncertainty recede, the Board intends to reduce cash coverage of the dividend towards two times over the medium term.