The item includes this on another dividend payment;
Capital return plan
Given the substantial and immediate uncertainties facing the UK economy at the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, in late March, the Board cancelled the interim dividend for the 2019 financial year which was to be paid in early April. Remaining mindful of the challenges facing the UK economy the Board also decided to postpone the payment of the 2019 final dividend of 110p per share, due to be paid in early July, to enable the Board to assess the pandemic's impact on the Group.
Given the progress the business has made in these difficult circumstances, the Board made a part payment (of 40p per share) of the postponed final dividend for 2019 in September. In light of the continued strong performance and in line with the long term strategic objectives of the Group, which includes recognising the importance of dividend receipts to pension schemes in supporting retired workers and their families, the Board is pleased to announce a second interim dividend of 70p per share which will be paid on 14 December 2020 to shareholders on the register on 27 November 2020 in satisfaction of the Board's previously indicated final dividend for 2019. No further dividend payments will be made in relation to the 2019 financial year.
An update on the Group's capital return plan will be provided in the Group's 2020 full year results announcement on 3 March 2021.