Pearson

Annual Report and Accounts 2010

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

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22. Trade and other receivables

All figures in £ millions 2010 2009
Current
Trade receivables 1,028 989
Royalty advances 111 99
Prepayments and accrued income 77 75
Other receivables 121 121
1,337 1,284
Non-current
Trade receivables 3
Royalty advances 89 86
Prepayments and accrued income 28 24
Other receivables 9 2
129 112

Trade receivables are stated at fair value, net of provisions for bad and doubtful debts and anticipated future sales returns. The movements on the provision for bad and doubtful debts are as follows:

All figures in £ millions 2010 2009
At beginning of year (76) (72)
Exchange differences (2) 5
Income statement movements (33) (26)
Utilised 26 20
Acquisition through business combination (3) (3)
Disposal through business disposal 5
At end of year (83) (76)

Concentrations of credit risk with respect to trade receivables are limited due to the Group’s large number of customers, who are internationally dispersed.

The ageing of the Group’s trade receivables is as follows:

All figures in £ millions 2010 2009
Within due date 1,180 1,096
Up to three months past due date 234 228
Three to six months past due date 39 51
Six to nine months past due date 6 20
Nine to 12 months past due date 13 4
More than 12 months past due date 21 20
Total trade receivables 1,493 1,419
Less: provision for bad and doubtful debts (83) (76)
Less: provision for sales returns (379) (354)
Net trade receivables 1,031 989

The Group reviews its bad debt provision at least twice a year following a detailed review of receivable balances and historic payment profiles. Management believe all the remaining receivable balances are fully recoverable.