Basis of preparationThe financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis, as modified by the revaluationof certain financial assets and liabilities and investment properties measured at fair value through profitor loss.The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the entity.---------TaxationThe taxation expense represents the aggregate amount of current and deferred tax recognised in thereporting period. Tax is recognised in the statement of comprehensive income, except to the extent thatit relates to items recognised in other comprehensive income or directly in capital and reserves. In thiscase, tax is recognised in other comprehensive income or directly in capital and reserves, respectively.Current tax is recognised on taxable profit for the current and past periods. Current tax is measured atthe amounts of tax expected to pay or recover using the tax rates and laws that have been enacted orsubstantively enacted at the reporting date.Deferred tax is recognised in respect of all timing differences at the reporting date. Unrelieved taxlosses and other deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is probable that they will berecovered against the reversal of deferred tax liabilities or other future taxable profits. Deferred tax ismeasured using the tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted by thereporting date that are expected to apply to the reversal of the timing difference.-----------Financial instrumentsA financial asset or a financial liability is recognised only when the company becomes a party to thecontractual provisions of the instrument.Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at the transaction price, unless the arrangementconstitutes a financing transaction, where it is recognised at the present value of the future paymentsdiscounted at a market rate of interest for a similar debt instrument.Debt instruments are subsequently measured at amortised cost.Where investments in non-convertible preference shares and non-puttable ordinary shares orpreference shares are publicly traded or their fair value can otherwise be measured reliably, theinvestment is subsequently measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognised in profit or loss.All other such investments are subsequently measured at cost less impairment.Other financial instruments, including derivatives, are initially recognised at fair value, unless paymentfor an asset is deferred beyond normal business terms or financed at a rate of interest that is not amarket rate, in which case the asset is measured at the present value of the future paymentsdiscounted at a market rate of interest for a similar debt instrument.Other financial instruments are subsequently measured at fair value, with any changes recognised inprofit or loss, with the exception of hedging instruments in a designated hedging relationship.Financial assets that are measured at cost or amortised cost are reviewed for objective evidence ofimpairment at the end of each reporting date. If there is objective evidence of impairment, animpairment loss is recognised in profit or loss immediately.For all equity instruments regardless of significance, and other financial assets that are individuallysignificant, these are assessed individually for impairment. Other financial assets or either assessedindividually or grouped on the basis of similar credit risk characteristics.Any reversals of impairment are recognised in profit or loss immediately, to the extent that the reversaldoes not result in a carrying amount of the financial asset that exceeds what the carrying amount wouldhave been had the impairment not previously been recognised.