22Pension and other schemes

Defined contribution pension scheme

The Group operates a defined contribution pension scheme. The pension cost charge for the year represents contributions payable by the Group to the scheme and amounted to £2,329 thousand (2024: £2,068 thousand). Contributions totaling £423 thousand (2024: £8 thousand) were payable to the scheme at the end of the year and are included in trade and other payables.