SHAREHOLDER RETURNS
Cash generation has increased for the third consecutive year. In line with our capital allocation policy, the Board has proposed a 2.6% increase in the final dividend to 11.9p, subject to approval of shareholders at the Annual General Meeting, to be held on 12 July 2016. This will result in a total dividend of 18.7p, up 3.9% on last year. As part of our ongoing programme of enhanced returns, we have also announced a special dividend amounting to 4.6p per share (c.£75m) for the first half of the 2016/17 financial year. Both the final and the special dividend will be paid on 15 July 2016 to shareholders on the register of members as at close of business on 3 June 2016.
In the year we completed the return of £150m of cash to shareholders through the previously announced share buyback programme.
