Provisions

12 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2026



16. Provisions

A provision is a liability recorded in the Consolidated statement of financial position, where there is uncertainty over the timing or amount that will be paid, and is therefore often estimated. The main provisions we hold are in relation to asset retirement obligations, which include the cost of returning network infrastructure sites to their original condition at the end of the lease and claims for legal and regulatory matters.

Accounting policies

Provisions are recognised when the Group has a present obligation (legal or constructive) as a result of a past event, it is probable that the Group will be required to settle that obligation and a reliable estimate can be made of the amount of the obligation. Provisions are measured based on the best estimate of the expenditure required to settle the obligation at the reporting date and are discounted to present value where the effect is material. Where the timing of settlement is uncertain amounts are classified as

non-current

where settlement is expected more than 12 months from the reporting date.

Asset retirement obligations

In the course of the Group’s activities, a number of sites and other assets are utilised which are expected to have costs associated with decommissioning. The associated cash outflows are substantially expected to occur at the dates of decommissioning of the assets to which they relate, and are long term in nature.

Legal and regulatory

The Group is involved in a number of legal and other disputes, including where the Group has received notifications of possible claims. The Directors of the Company, after taking legal advice, have established provisions considering the facts of each case. For a discussion of certain legal issues potentially affecting the Group see note 29 ‘Contingent liabilities and legal proceedings’ to the consolidated financial statements.

Restructuring

The Group undertakes periodic reviews of its operations and recognises provisions as required based on the outcomes of these reviews. The associated cash outflows for restructuring costs are primarily less than one year.

Other

Comprises various items that do not fall within the Group’s other categories of provisions.

The table below is a summary of provisions by type and between current and

non-current

amounts.



	Asset retirement obligations € m			Legal and regulatory € m			Restructuring € m			Other € m			Total € m

1 April 2024		933			269			942			304			2,448

Exchange movements		2			(12	)		1			(1	)		(10	)

Amounts capitalised in the year		71			–			–			–			71

Amounts charged to the income statement		–			85			133			280			498

Utilised in the year - payments		(38	)		(46	)		(238	)		(108	)		(430	)

Amounts released to the income statement		(9	)		(21	)		(7	)		(44	)		(81	)

31 March 2025		959			275			831			431			2,496

Exchange movements		(20	)		(18	)		(3	)		1			(40	)

Acquisitions		80			4			1			5			90

Amounts capitalised in the year		143			–			–			–			143

Amounts charged to the income statement		–			146			78			146			370

Utilised in the year - payments		(41	)		(31	)		(248	)		(104	)		(424	)

Amounts released to the income statement		(6	)		(50	)		(194	)		(60	)		(310	)

Other 1		–			–			(333	)		–			(333	)

31 March 2026		1,115			326			132			419			1,992



	Asset retirement obligations € m		Legal and regulatory € m		Restructuring € m		Other € m		Total € m

Current liabilities		62		283		72		314		731

Non-current liabilities		1,053		43		60		105		1,261

31 March 2026		1,115		326		132		419		1,992



	Asset retirement obligations € m		Legal and regulatory € m		Restructuring € m		Other € m		Total € m

Current liabilities		56		222		478		310		1,066

Non-current liabilities		903		53		353		121		1,430

31 March 2025		959		275		831		431		2,496

Note:

Other movements in respect of the Restructuring provision includes

re-classifications

to Trade and other payables of employee termination liabilities whose timing and value are no longer uncertain. Certain of these payments are long term in nature and are subject to change for prevailing inflation indices in the relevant market.