Annual Report and
Accounts 2006

Year ended 31 July 2006


10. Employee information and Directors' remuneration

Employee benefit costs: 2006
£m
2005
£m
Wages and salaries 1,630 1,257
Social security costs 249 210
Pension costs - Defined contribution schemes 28 19
Pension costs - Defined benefit schemes (note 27) 14 17
Share options granted to directors and employees 22 23
Total employee benefit costs 1,943 1,526

Details of Directors' remuneration and share options are set out in the Remuneration report, which form part of these financial statements. The aggregate emoluments for all key management are set out in note 36.

Average weekly number of employees: 2006 2005
UK and Ireland 13,869 12,688
France 9,631 9,196
Central Europe 2,983 2,767
Europe 26,483 24,651
North America 38,740 29,017
Group 65,223 53,668

The average weekly number of Group and Europe head office employees is included in UK and Ireland in the above table.