v3.26.3
Net debt (Tables)
6 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2026
Subclassifications of assets, liabilities and equities [abstract]  
Schedule of components of net debt
Net debt is comprised as follows:
30 September 202631 March 2026
£m£m
Cash and cash equivalents308 375 
Current financial investments3,015 2,453 
Borrowings and bank overdrafts(51,222)(46,755)
Financing derivatives1
(700)(233)
Net debt (net of related derivative financial instruments)(48,599)(44,160)
1.Includes £82 million liability (31 March 2026: £19 million liability) in relation to the hedging of capital expenditure. The cash flows related to these derivatives are included within investing activities in the consolidated cash flow statement which gives alignment with the presentation of the hedged item. The financing derivatives balance included in net debt exclude the commodity derivatives.
Schedule of balance sheet allocation of derivative balances
The following table splits out the total derivative balances on the face of the consolidated statement of financial position by category:
30 September 202631 March 2026
Assets
£m
Liabilities
£m
Total
£m
Assets
£m
Liabilities
£m
Total
£m
Financing derivatives572 (1,272)(700)717 (950)(233)
Commodity contract derivatives148 (113)35 121 (68)53 
Total derivative financial instruments720 (1,385)(665)838 (1,018)(180)