Notes to the financial statements

23 Called up share capital and share premium account

	2008 million	2007 million	2008 £m	2007 £m
Group and Company
Authorised share capital
Ordinary shares of 28⁴/₇ pence each (2007: 28⁴/₇ pence)	2,450	2,450	700	700
Preference B shares of 35 pence each (2007: 35 pence) (note 20)	2,100	2,100	735	735
Called up share capital
Allotted and fully paid - ordinary shares	1,747	1,734	499	495
Share premium account
Share premium			896	857

The movements in the called up share capital and share premium account are set out below:

	Ordinary shares million	Ordinary shares £m	Share premium £m
At 25 March 2007	1,734	495	857
Allotted in respect of share option schemes	13	4	39
At 22 March 2008	1,747	499	896
At 26 March 2006	1,711	489	782
Allotted in respect of share option schemes	23	6	75
At 24 March 2007	1,734	495	857