24. Contingent liabilities

The Company has provided guarantees to other Group undertakings amounting to £13.4m (2007: £9.7m) in the ordinary course of business. It is not anticipated that any material liabilities will arise from the contingent liabilities.

VAT group registration

As a result of group registration for VAT purposes, the Company is contingently liable for VAT liabilities arising in other companies within the VAT group which at 31 December 2008 amounted to £5.0m (2007: £7.6m).