PipeHawk Regulatory News (PIP)

This announcement contains inside information as stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulations (EU) no. 596/2014 (which forms part of domestic UK law pursuant to the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018) ("MAR"). With the publication of this announcement via a Regulatory Information Service, this inside information is now considered to be in the public domain.

29 November 2022

PipeHawk plc

("PipeHawk", "Company" or the "Group")

Final Results for the year ended 30 June 2022

Highlights

- Turnover of £6.2 million, a decrease of 7.5% (2021: £6.7 million)

- Loss before taxation for the financial year of £1,576,000 (2021: profit £79,000)

- QM Systems completed a move into a modern and far larger facility on the Hartlebury Trading Estate, providing approx. 200% more office space and 600% more manufacturing capacity

- TED has moved into a significantly larger premises and since the financial year end has signed a global distribution memorandum of understanding with Unipart Rail Limited

The Group reported an operating loss in the year ended 30 June 2022 (the "financial year" and the "2021/22 FY") of £1,312,000 (2021: £257,000), a loss before taxation for the financial year of £1,576,000 (2021: profit £79,000) and a loss after taxation of £868,000 (2021: profit £522,000). Turnover for the financial year reduced to £6.2million (2021: £6.7 million). The loss per share for the financial year was 2.42p (2021: profit 1.50p).

In line with the outlook expressed in my Chairman's Statement last year, like others in the industry, we have been faced with difficult market conditions this financial year. As outlined on 24 March 2022 in the Group's unaudited results for the six months ended 31 December 2021 this has been an extremely challenging year. Just when we thought we were getting over the vicissitudes of the Coronavirus ("COVID-19") pandemic with its consequent delays caused by material shortages, extended lead times and increased costs, all suffered without the furlough buffer - then Russia invades the Ukraine, fuel costs soar and suddenly the world realises that energy is the key to our standard of living and economic livelihood at all levels.

As a consequence, the Group continued to see decisions across all levels of the chain be deferred and/or delayed throughout the financial year. The impact of the delay in receiving contract decisions continued to impact the Group right up to late September 2022. However, following September 2022, the Group has seen a number of larger orders that have previously been in abeyance for several months placed. In addition, the Group notes a shift in market sentiment, namely, that there appears to be a general willingness to actively re-engage and commit to forward-looking business decisions (as opposed to remaining in tick-over mode).

Despite the disappointing results for the financial year, the directors believe, for the reasons outlined above, that this merely represents a temporary blip in our growth trajectory. Notwithstanding this result, this financial year has been critical for the Group as seen by our underlying positive direction of travel. In addition, we have invested significantly to be able to take advantage of the opportunities evident from our groundwork. Not only have we expanded Thomson Engineering Design's ("TED") footprint fourfold (we have decided to retain, and rebuild its original premises whilst retaining its new premises, as we foresee the need for further growth), QM Systems Limited ("QM") footprint has increased fivefold, and a new line to QM business, contract manufacturing, has been established. Lastly, Adien is now fully engaged in 5G work and the integration of Utsi and PipeHawk's technology bodes well for the future.

I am confident therefore that the future looks very promising.

QM Systems

QM Systems has completed a challenging financial year where for a large part of that time the orderbook has been significantly below management expectation. This trend continued longer than expected into the 2021/22 FY resulting in the inability of QM Systems to pull through the expected level of revenue and profit. It does seem as though the effect of the pandemic eventually rippled through QM Systems later than initially anticipated. In addition, following Russia's invasion of the Ukraine, decision makers decided to defer making capital commitments, which manifested into expected orders being delayed by several months.

During the second half of the financial year, QM Systems completed a move into a modern and far larger facility on the Hartlebury Trading Estate. The move expands the available facilities from approximately 8,000 sq ft to approximately 45,000 sq ft; providing approx. 200% more office space and 600% more manufacturing capacity. The move was required to facilitate not only the anticipated growth in the company's project business but also the housing of the newly established contract manufacturing business unit. In addition, QM Systems has secured two manufacturing contracts with both expected to begin operation with manufactured product towards the end of the current 2022/23 FY. Both contract manufacturing projects bring the capacity for rapid growth in a new and exciting direction for QM Systems. Inevitably a move to a new facility of this size and scale brings commercial challenges and has required significant investment. In this regard, QM have invested over £750k in securing and fitting out the new facility to a very high standard.

Looking ahead, I am pleased to report that as we approached the end of the previous 2021/22 FY and entered the current FY order enquiries have increased dramatically. A number of projects that have been slow to gestate have now arrived resulting in an order intake for the first four months of the current FY alone at QM Systems being in excess of £3 million. Historically, this is an unprecedented order intake in such a short period of time and should enable QM Systems to rapidly recover the ground lost during the 2021/22 FY. In addition to orders received the order pipeline has again returned to a very healthy level with further significant order intake expected through the second quarter of the current FY and anticipated for the following quarter. It is also important to recognise that the projects won are sizeable projects that are expected to run across several months. This brings a further level of stability to QM Systems project business. To support the significant growth in the QM Systems projects business a number of new roles have been advertised for and subsequently filled across the engineering, projects and sales departments during the first third of the current FY. In addition to recruitment to support the project business the start and growth of the contract manufacturing business will see approximately 30 new employees join the QM Systems team over the next few months to support the production and administration activities required across the three contract manufacturing projects.

As a result of the above I fully expect to see QM Systems recover to a position of significant growth in both sales and profit during this current FY whilst securing a stable platform from which healthy growth can continue for the foreseeable future.

Thomson Engineering Design ("TED")

Revenue at Thomson Engineering Design ("TED") continued to grow into this financial year, with the best quarter on record achieved during the final quarter of the financial year. Revenue for FY2021/22 compared with the previous financial increased from approx. £1.2 million to £1.4 million (representing a circa16% increase). This did not however translate through into profit with a loss before taxation of £57k.

There are three key drivers within the year resulting in the reduction in profit versus expectation. The first is the significant upwards inflationary pressure regarding raw material cost which skewed the material content to be considerably higher than previous years. The second key factor was rising facility costs and investment into the new premises required during the 2021/22 FY. The third factor is that whilst we received a rent-free period in order to settle into and upgrade the new premises there is an accounting standard which requires us to amortise that rent free period over the life of the lease. The first two issues have been addressed through re-balancing margin on material and labour to accommodate higher material content and to provide for increased overhead recovery. The third is a non-cash cost in the short term.

Order intake at TED during the current 2022/23 FY continues to be strong, predominantly focused on the UK market with some export. Post the financial year, on 20 September 2022, TED entered into a memorandum of understanding with Unipart Rail Limited ("Unipart Rail"), a global retailer of Rail equipment for Unipart Rail to be the exclusive partner for sales and distribution of TED rail equipment into territories in Europe, Asia, New Zealand, Australia and the Americas. This enables TED to facilitate its strategy for global growth by utilising an established and well-respected distribution partner. Unipart and TED jointly attended the InnoTrans Expo in Berlin to launch the new partnership, where a number of key TED products have been on display to premium rail clients. Since the year end, TED has also entered into a partnership with a key client to provide rail conversions for Kawasaki Utility vehicles. This innovative approach allows capital outlay and emissions to be significantly reduced and eliminates the need to use high-cost excavators when carrying smaller loads and tools. We expect this partnership to add substantial additional revenue potential to TED's current portfolio over the next few years.

Overall, having taken measures to address profitability the future for TED both in the UK and the wider global market appears significantly positive.

Adien

After a very promising start last year's results ended with a disappointing loss of £15k due to work volumes dropping in the last few months of the year. This was, mainly due to continually delayed starts from the 5G telecom sector. The order lethargy continued into July and August this year, but has picked up dramatically since the start of September.

Adien now supplies the majority of the key contractors to the telecom providers.

Adien's Ministry of Defence projects are also starting to come on stream after a slow start following the renewal of the framework contracts in April this year. Similarly, Scottish & Southern Electricity Networks has recently put significant funding in place which will allow us to progress with their larger sites.

Positively, clients in the construction and infrastructure sectors are showing increased activity both in volume of the orders placed and enquiries for new projects.

Hybrid working for staff in the Doncaster office and the rationalisation of the Scottish operation has resulted in efficiencies, cost reductions and reduced travel times as well as a reduction in the carbon footprint of the business.

Recent investment in new vehicles that are more efficient, cost effective, greener and continued investment in new hardware and software for the computer-aided design as well as field teams ensure Adien is able to survey and process data effectively to all our clients' various requirements.

The outlook for the current year remains positive.

UTSI

As enquiry levels have steadily risen through the 2022 calendar year, so too have material costs, component shortages and delivery timescales with the resulting lengthening transition times between enquiry, order and payment making the business of doing business, severely challenging. Sales of our flagship products; those manufactured and ordered in the largest quantities, have been most disrupted by the continuing supply delays, whereas those for more specialist, made to order products and those requiring bespoke alteration, have been less affected. Moving from just in time supply to just in case, namely, the increased stockholding of major "at risk" and "long lead time" components will reduce exposure to the worst supply chain excesses over the medium term. However, this change in approach has had a notable immediate effect on UTSI's cashflow and profits in the short term. While external R&D opportunities remain in recovery, bringing forward internal R&D timescales has offered a way towards achieving near term cost savings as tighter integration of existing PipeHawk & UTSI's product lines, becomes possible, whilst also offering the promise of attractive hybrid hardware/software solutions on the near horizon. While UTSI continues to seek out new opportunities, new partners and new markets, the restrictions imposed by global supply chain issues are expected to remain a significant limiting factor into the second half of 2022 and beyond.

Financial position

The Group continues to be in a net liability position and is still reliant on my continuing financial support.

My letter of support dated 6 September 2021 was renewed on 11 October 2022 to provide the group with financial support until 31 December 2024. Loans due to me, other than those covered by the CULS agreement, are unsecured and accrue interest at an annual rate of Bank of England base rate plus 2.15%.

The CULS agreement for £1 million, provided by myself, was renewed on 30 June 2022 and extended on identical terms, such that the CULS are now repayable on 13 August 2026.

In addition to the loans I have provided to the Company in previous years, I have deferred a certain proportion of fees and the interest due until the Company is in a suitably strong position to make the full payments.

Historically, my fees and interest payable have been deferred. During the year under review, the deferred element amounted to £160,000. At 30 June 2022, these deferred fees and interest amounted to approximately £1.8 million in total, all of which have been recognised as a liability in the Company's accounts.

Strategy & Outlook

The Group remains committed to creating sustainable earnings-based growth and focusing on the expansion of its business with forward-looking products and services. PipeHawk acts responsibly towards its shareholders, business partners, employees, society and the environment in each of its business areas.

PipeHawk is committed to technologies and products that unite the goals of customer value and sustainable development. In light of market conditions, all divisions of the Group are currently performing well and I remain optimistic in my outlook for the Group.

Gordon Watt

Chairman

Date: 28 November 2022

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

For the year ended 30 June 2022

The notes form an integral part of these financial statements.

Consolidated Statement of Financial Position

at 30 June 2022

The notes form an integral part of these financial statements.

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flow

For the year ended 30 June 2022

The notes form an integral part of these financial statements.

Statement of Changes in Equity

For the year ended 30 June 2022

The share premium account reserve arises on the issuing of shares. Where shares are issued at a value that exceeds their nominal value, a sum equal to the difference between the issue value and the nominal value is transferred to the share premium account reserve.

The notes form an integral part of these financial statements.

1 Summary of significant accounting policies

1.1. General information

PipeHawk plc (the Company) is a limited company incorporated in the United Kingdom under the Companies Act 2006. The addresses of its registered office and principal place of business are disclosed in the company information on page 3 of the Report and Accounts. The principal activities of the Company and its subsidiaries (the Group) are described on page 9 of the Report and Accounts.

The financial statements are presented in pounds sterling, the functional currency of all companies in the Group. In accordance with section 408 of the Companies Act 2006 a separate statement of comprehensive income for the parent Company has not been presented. For the year to 30 June 2022 the Company recorded a net loss after taxation of £282,000 (2021: £236,000).

1.2. Basis of preparation

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with UK-adopted international accounting standards (IAS) The principal accounting policies are set out below.

1.3. Basis of preparation - Going concern

The directors have reviewed the Parent Company and Group's funding requirements for the next twelve months which show positive anticipated cash flow generation, prior to any repayment of loans advanced by the Executive Chairman. The directors have furthermore obtained a renewed pledge from G G Watt to provide ongoing financial support for a period of at least twelve months from the approval date of the Group and Parent Company statement of financial positions. The directors therefore have a reasonable expectation that the entity has adequate resources to continue in its operational exercises for the foreseeable future. It is on this basis that the directors consider it appropriate to adopt the going concern basis of preparation within these financial statements. However a material uncertainty exists regarding the ability of the Group and Parent Company to remain a going concern without the continuing financial support of the Executive Chairman.

1.4. Basis of consolidation

The consolidated financial statements incorporate the financial statements of the Company and entities controlled by the Company (its subsidiaries). Control is achieved where the Company has the power to govern the financial and operating policies of an entity so as to obtain benefits from its activities.

The results of subsidiaries acquired or disposed of during the year are included in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income from the effective date of acquisition or up to the effective date of disposal, as appropriate. Where necessary, adjustments are made to the financial statements of subsidiaries to bring their accounting policies into line with those used by other members of the Group. All intra-group transactions, balances, income and expenses are eliminated in full on consolidation.

1.5. Business combinations

Acquisitions of subsidiaries and businesses are accounted for using the acquisition method. The cost of the business combination is measured as the aggregate of the fair values (at the date of exchange) of assets given, liabilities incurred or assumed, and equity instruments issued by the Group in exchange for control of the acquiree. The acquiree's identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities that meet the conditions for recognition under IFRS 3 Business Combinations (revised) are recognised at their fair values at the acquisition date, except for non-current assets (or disposal groups) that are classified as held for sale in accordance with IFRS 5 Non-current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations, which are recognised and measured at fair value less costs to sell.

Goodwill arising on acquisition is recognised as an asset and initially measured at cost, being the excess of the cost of the business combination over the Group's interest in the net fair value of the identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities recognised.

1.6. Goodwill

Goodwill is initially recognised as an asset at cost and is subsequently measured at cost less any accumulated impairment losses.

For the purpose of impairment testing, goodwill is allocated to each of the Group's cash-generating units expected to benefit from the synergies of the combination. Cash-generating units to which goodwill has been allocated are tested for impairment annually, or more frequently when there is an indication that the unit may be impaired. If the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit is less than the carrying amount of the unit, the impairment loss is allocated first to reduce the carrying amount of any goodwill allocated to the unit and then to the other assets of the unit pro-rata on the basis of the carrying amount of each asset in the unit. An impairment loss recognised for goodwill is not reversed in a subsequent period.

On disposal of a subsidiary, the attributable amount of goodwill is included in the determination of the profit or loss on disposal.

1.7. Revenue recognition

For the year ended 30 June 2022 the Group used the five-step model as prescribed under IFRS 15 on the Group's revenue transactions. This included the identification of the contract, identification of the performance obligations under the same, determination of the transaction price, allocation of the transaction price to performance obligations and recognition of revenue.

The point of recognition arises when the Group satisfies a performance obligation by transferring control of a promised good or service to the customer, which could occur over time or at a point in time.

1.8. Sale of goods

Revenue generated from the sale of goods is recognised on delivery of the goods to the customer. On this basis revenue is recognised at a point in time.

1.9. Sale of services

In relation to the design and manufacture of complete software and hardware test solutions and the provision of specialist surveying, revenue is recognised through a review of the man-hours completed on the project at the year-end compared to the total man-hours required to complete the projects. Provision is made for all foreseeable losses if a contract is assessed as unprofitable.

Revenue represents the amount of consideration to which the Group expects to be entitled in exchange for transferring promised goods or services to a customer, excluding amounts collected on behalf of third parties.

Revenue from goods and services provided to customers not invoiced as at the reporting date is recognised as a contract asset and disclosed as accrued income within trade and other receivables.

Although payment terms vary from contract to contract invoices are in general raised in advance of services performed. Where billing has exceeded the revenue recognised in a period a contract liability is recognised and this is disclosed as payments received on account in trade and other payables.

1.10. Property, plant and equipment

Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment losses. Depreciation is charged so as to write off the cost of assets over their estimated useful lives, using the straight-line method. The estimated useful lives, residual values and depreciation method are reviewed at each year end, with the effect of any changes in estimate accounted for on a prospective basis. Assets held under leases are depreciated over their expected useful lives on the same basis as owned assets or, where shorter, the term of the relevant lease. Gains and losses on disposals are determined by comparing the proceeds with the carrying amount and are recognised within the Statement of Comprehensive Income.

The principal annual rates used to depreciate property, plant and equipment are:

Equipment, fixtures and fittings 25%

Motor vehicles 25%

1.11. Inventories and work in progress

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Costs, including an appropriate portion of fixed and variable overhead expenses, are assigned to inventories by the method most appropriate to the particular class of inventory, with the majority being valued on a first-in-first-out basis. Net realisable value represents the estimated selling price for inventories less all estimated costs of completion and costs necessary to make the sale.

Work in progress is valued at cost, which includes expenses incurred on behalf of clients and an appropriate proportion of directly attributable costs on incomplete assignments. Provision is made for irrecoverable costs where appropriate.

1.12. Financial assets

The Group's financial assets consist of cash and cash equivalents and trade and other receivables. The Group's accounting policy for each category of financial asset is as follows:

Financial assets held at amortised cost

Trade receivables and other receivables are classified as financial assets held at amortised cost. They are initially recognised at fair value plus transaction costs that are directly attributable to their acquisition or issue and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest rate method, less provision for impairment.

Impairment provisions are recognised based on its historical credit loss experience, adjusted for forward-looking factors specific to the debtors and the economic environment, the amount of such a provision being the difference between the net carrying amount and the present value of the future expected cash flows associated with the impaired receivable. For receivables, which are reported net, such provisions are recorded in a separate allowance account with the loss being recognised within administrative expenses in the statement of comprehensive income. On confirmation that the receivable will not be collectable, the gross carrying value of the asset is written off against the associated provision.

The Group's financial assets held at amortised cost comprise other receivables and cash and cash equivalents in the statement of financial position.

Derecognition of financial assets

The Group derecognises a financial asset only when the contractual rights to the cash flows from the asset expire; or it transfers the financial asset and substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership of the asset to another entity. 

Equity instruments

An equity instrument is any contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets of an entity after deducting all of its liabilities. Equity instruments issued by the Group are recorded at the proceeds received, net of direct issue costs.

Financial liabilities

Financial liabilities, including borrowings, are initially measured at fair value, net of transaction costs. Financial liabilities are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method, with interest expense recognised on an effective yield basis.

The effective interest method is a method of calculating the amortised cost of a financial liability and of allocating interest expense over the relevant period. The effective interest rate is the rate that exactly discounts estimated future cash payments through the expected life of the financial liability, or, where appropriate, a shorter period.

Derecognition of financial liabilities

The Group derecognises financial liabilities when, and only when, the Group's obligations are discharged, cancelled or they expire.

1.13. Leased/Right of Use assets

The leases liability is initially measured at the present value of the remaining lease payments, discounted using the individual entities incremental borrowing rate. The lease term comprises the non-cancellable period of the contract, together with periods covered by an option to extend the lease where the Group is reasonably certain to exercise that option based on operational needs and contractual terms. Subsequently, the lease liability is measured at amortised cost by increasing the carrying amount to reflect interest on the lease liability, and reducing it by the lease payments made. The lease liability is remeasured when the Group changes its assessment of whether it will exercise an extension or termination option.

Right-of-use assets are initially measured at cost, comprising the initial measurement of the lease liability adjusted for any lease payments made at or before the commencement date, lease incentives received and initial direct costs. Subsequently, right-of-use assets are measured at cost, less any accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses, and are adjusted for certain remeasurement of the lease liability.

Depreciation is calculated on a straight-line basis over the length of the lease. The Group has elected to apply exemptions for short-term leases and leases for which the underlying asset is of low value. For these leases, payments are charged to the income statement on a straight-line basis over the term of the relevant lease. Right-of-use assets are presented within non-current assets on the face of the statement of financial position, and lease liabilities are shown separately on the statement of financial position in current liabilities and non-current liabilities depending on the maturity of the lease payments.

Under IFRS16, right-of-use assets will be tested for impairment in accordance with IAS36 Impairment of Assets.

Payments associated with short-term leases are recognised on a straight-line basis as an expense in the profit or loss. Short term leases are leases with a lease term of 12 months or less.

1.14. Pension scheme contributions

Pension contributions are charged to the statement of comprehensive income in the period in which they fall due. All pension costs are in relation to defined contribution schemes.

1.15. Share based payments

Equity-settled share-based payments to employees and others providing similar services are measured at the fair value of the equity instruments at the grant date. Details regarding the determination of the fair value of equity-settled share-based transactions are set out in note 18.

The fair value determined at the grant date of the equity-settled share-based payments is expensed on a straight-line basis over the vesting period, based on the Group's estimate of equity instruments that will eventually vest. At each statement of financial position date, the Group revises its estimate of the number of equity instruments expected to vest. The impact of the revision of the original estimates, if any, is recognised in profit or loss over the remaining vesting period, with a corresponding adjustment to reserves.

1.16. Foreign currencies

Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into sterling at the rates of exchange ruling at 30 June. Transactions in foreign currencies are recorded at the rates ruling at the date of the transactions.

1.17. Taxation

Income tax expense represents the sum of the tax currently payable and deferred tax.

Current tax

The tax currently payable is based on taxable profit for the year. Taxable profit differs from profit as reported in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income because it excludes items of income or expense that are taxable or deductible in other years and it further excludes items that are never taxable or deductible. The Group's liability for current tax is calculated using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the year end date.

Deferred tax

Deferred tax is recognised on differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities in the financial statements and the corresponding tax bases used in the computation of taxable profit, and is accounted for using the statement of financial position liability method. Deferred tax liabilities are generally recognised for all taxable temporary differences, and deferred tax assets are generally recognised for all deductible temporary differences to the extent that it is probable that taxable profits will be available against which those deductible temporary differences can be utilised. Such assets and liabilities are not recognised if the temporary difference arises from goodwill or from the initial recognition (other than in a business combination) of other assets and liabilities in a transaction that affects neither the taxable profit nor the accounting profit.

Deferred tax liabilities are recognised for taxable temporary differences associated with investments in subsidiaries and associates, and interests in joint ventures, except where the Group is able to control the reversal of the temporary difference and it is probable that the temporary difference will not reverse in the foreseeable future. Deferred tax assets arising from deductible temporary differences associated with such investments and interests are only recognised to the extent that it is probable that there will be sufficient taxable profits against which to utilise the benefits of the temporary differences and they are expected to reverse in the foreseeable future.

The carrying amount of deferred tax assets is reviewed at each statement of financial position date and reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that sufficient taxable profits will be available to allow all or part of the asset to be recovered. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured at the tax rates that are expected to apply in the year in which the liability is settled or the asset realised, based on tax rates (and tax laws) that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the year end date. The measurement of deferred tax liabilities and assets reflects the tax consequences that would follow from the manner in which the Group expects, at the reporting date, to recover or settle the carrying amount of its assets and liabilities.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset when there is a legally enforceable right to set off current tax assets against current tax liabilities and when they relate to income taxes levied by the same taxation authority and the Group intends to settle its current tax assets and liabilities on a net basis.

Current and deferred tax for the year

Current and deferred tax are recognised as an expense or income in the statement of comprehensive income, except when they relate to items credited or debited directly to equity, in which case the tax is also recognised directly in equity.

1.18. Impairment of property, plant and equipment

At each year end date, the Group reviews the carrying amounts of its property, plant and equipment to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any). Where it is not possible to estimate the recoverable amount of an individual asset, the Group estimates the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit to which the asset belongs. Where a reasonable and consistent basis of allocation can be identified, corporate assets are also allocated to individual cash-generating units, or otherwise they are allocated to the smallest group of cash-generating units for which a reasonable and consistent allocation basis can be identified.

Recoverable amount is the higher of fair value less costs to sell and value in use. In assessing value in use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted to their present value using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset for which the estimates of future cash flows have not been adjusted.

If the recoverable amount of an asset (or cash-generating unit) is estimated to be less than its carrying amount, the carrying amount of the asset (or cash-generating unit) is reduced to its recoverable amount. An impairment loss is recognised immediately in profit or loss.

Where an impairment loss subsequently reverses, the carrying amount of the asset (or cash-generating unit) is increased to the revised estimate of its recoverable amount, but so that the increased carrying amount does not exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined had no impairment loss been recognised for the asset (or cash-generating unit) in prior years. A reversal of an impairment loss is recognised immediately in the statement of comprehensive income.

1.19. Research and development

The Group undertakes research and development to expand its activity in technology and innovation to develop new products that will begin directly generating revenue in the future. Expenditure on research is expensed as incurred, development expenditure is capitalised only if the criteria for capitalisation are recognised in IAS 38. The Company claims tax credits on its research and development activity and recognises the income in current tax.

1.20. Government grants

During the period, the Group received benefits from Government grants. Revenue based Government grants are recognised through the consolidated statement of comprehensive income by netting off against the costs to which they relate. Where the grant is not directly associated with costs incurred during the period, it is recognised as 'other income'.

1.21. Critical judgement in applying accounting policies and key sources of estimation uncertainty

The following are the critical judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty that the directors have made in the process of applying the entity's accounting policies and that have the most significant effect on the amounts recognised in these financial statements.

Impairment of goodwill

Determining whether goodwill is impaired requires an estimation of the value in use of the cash-generating units to which goodwill has been allocated. A similar exercise is performed in respect of investment and long term loans in subsidiary. 

The value in use calculation requires the directors to estimate the future cash flows expected to arise from the cash-generating unit and a suitable discount rate in order to calculate present value, see note 11 for further details.

The carrying amount of goodwill at the year-end date was £1,357,000 (2021: £1,357,000). The investment in subsidiaries at the year-end was £1,903,000 (2021: £1,903,000).

The methodology adopted in assessing impairment of Goodwill is set out in note 11 as is the sensitivity analysis applied in relation to the outcomes of the assessment.

Impairment investment in subsidiaries and inter-company receivables

As set out in note 12, an impairment assessment of the carrying value of investments in subsidiaries and inter-company receivables is in line with the methodologies adopted in the assessment of impairment of goodwill.

2 Segmental analysis

3 Finance costs

4 Operating profit for the year

5 Staff costs

6 Directors' remuneration

7 Taxation

8 Loss / profit per share

9 Property, plant and equipment

10 Right of use

11 Goodwill

12 Non-current investments