united-utilities-annual-report-2015

UNITED UTILITIES GROUP PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2015Stock Code: UU.unitedutilities.comNotes to the financial statements2 DIRECTORS AND EMPLOYEES continuedAverage number of employees during the year (full-time equivalent including directors)2015number2014numberContinuing operations 5,278 5,329CompanyThe company has no employees.3 OPERATING PROFITThe following items have been charged/(credited) to the income statement in arriving at the group’s operating profit fromcontinuing operations:2015£mRestated*2014£mOther operating costsHired and contracted services 87.3 85.8Property rates 80.5 86.2Power 68.2 63.3Materials 58.5 50.4Charge for bad and doubtful receivables (see note 15) 52.9 37.1Regulatory fees 29.2 36.2Accommodation 7.0 6.7Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment 5.1 6.4Legal and professional 4.2 5.0Operating leases payable:Property 3.7 3.6Plant and equipment 0.7 0.8Research and development 2.1 2.4Cost of properties disposed 0.6 3.9Loss on disposal of intangible assets 0.5 –Movement in other provisions (see note 20) (3.4) 10.9Amortisation of deferred grants and contributions (see note 21) (7.7) (7.4)Other 34.9 34.3424.3 425.6Other incomeOther income (3.3) (2.7)(3.3) (2.7)Depreciation and amortisation expenseDepreciation of property, plant and equipment (see note 10) 323.6 312.9Amortisation of intangible assets (see note 11) 29.0 24.0352.6 336.9* The comparatives have been restated to reflect the requirements of IFRS 11 ‘Joint Arrangements’. See accounting policies page 124 for details.128