SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 6-K
Report of Foreign Private Issuer
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
01 December, 2003
BT Group plc
(Translation of registrant's name into English)
BT Centre
81 Newgate Street
London
EC1A 7AJ
England
(Address of principal executive offices)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual
reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Form 20-F..X... Form 40-F.....
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the
information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the
information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Yes ..... No ..X..
If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the
registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82- ________
Enclosures: 1. Response to OFTEL announcement made on 07 November 2003
2. Blocklisting Interim Review announcement made on
13 November 2003
3. BT sets 100 pc Broadband goal announcement made on
17 November 2003
4. Issue of Debt announcement made on 17 November 2003
5. Director Shareholding announcement made on 17 November 2003
6. Executive Appointment announcement made on 17 November 2003
7. Purchase of Own Securities announcement made on
17 November 2003
8. Director Shareholding announcement made on 17 November 2003
9. Issue of Debt announcement made on 17 November 2003
10. Director Shareholding announcement made on 18 November 2003
11. Children in Need launch announcement made on 20 November 2003
Enclosure No. 1
November 7, 2003
BT SAYS OFTEL'S DECISION IS ILL-CONCEIVED AND SPELLS MORE CONFUSION FOR PHONE
CUSTOMERS
BT today strongly criticised Oftel's decision to stop it calling customers who
switch phone companies as an ill-conceived move that will cause widespread
confusion for customers.
It could also open the floodgates for 'slamming', where customers are switched
without their knowledge or consent.
BT believes there will be no benefit to customers as a result of this decision.
Pierre Danon, chief executive of BT Retail, said: "This decision makes no sense
for the customer. The current system for transferring customers between
companies was designed with Oftel and as recently as July they were not minded
to change it. Now they have taken a decision to dismantle it without proper
consultation with the industry.
"Phone customers are only just getting over the confusion caused by Oftel's
handling of the 192 switch-off. Now they will be getting more of the same. This
will break an important link with our customers, which will not be in their best
interest or ours. Personal calls are crucial in ensuring each party is clear on
what is happening and they help customers make informed decisions about
switching to another company. We will not be able to call a customer until they
have left and they may not be clear which services have been terminated. The
potential for confusion is huge."
Danon added: "Only a matter of days after Oftel voiced publicly their concern at
the growth of mis-selling in the telco industry, they make a decision which will
make it easier for any unscrupulous operators to persuade consumers or
businesses to switch under false pretences, or even to switch them without their
knowledge. Oftel should be concentrating on achieving greater discipline within
the industry rather than removing an important means of customer protection.
"The potential impact on customers cannot be overestimated."
BT has already seen a sharp increase in the number of Unfair Trading complaints
received from its customers. Customer complaints to BT about competitors signing
them up to their schemes are increasing and currently running at more than 5,000
a month.
Amongst BT customers' complaints are allegations of their being approached at
home or on the high street with false but convincing claims by unscrupulous
competitors that they are "part of BT" or "doing a deal with BT for cheaper
calls".
In some circumstances some customers have found themselves signed up under false
pretences without consent. Others have felt sufficiently pressured to sign "for
information" as the only way to escape a persistent salesperson. As a result of
this and related practices many customers have claimed to know nothing about a
switch in their phone provider when BT has made contact with them.
Customers have also complained of being offered cheaper calls that never
materialised.
Danon added: "Follow-up calls to customers are an important safeguard to protect
the customer. It means they are able to verify exactly what they think they have
agreed to switch. Take these calls away and the rise in complaints about
mis-selling could become a flood.
"BT has always found innovative and creative ways to satisfy our customers and
we will continue to do so, despite not having the benefit of a level playing
field."
BT plans to appeal against Oftel's decision.
For more information please contact:
Jon Carter, BT Retail Press Office; 0207 356 4523
Mike Jarvis, BT Retail Press Office; 0207 356 6045
NOTES TO EDITORS:
BT Group
BT Group plc is the listed holding company for an integrated group of businesses
providing voice, data and video services in the UK and elsewhere in Europe.
British Telecommunications plc, a wholly-owned subsidiary of BT Group, holds
virtually all businesses and assets of the BT group.
BT is one of Europe's leading providers of telecommunications services. Its
principal activities include local, national and international
telecommunications services, higher-value broadband and internet products and
services, and IT solutions. In the UK, BT serves over 20 million business and
residential customers with more than 29 million exchange lines, as well as
providing network services to other licensed operators.
BT consists principally of three lines of business:
- BT Retail, serving businesses and residential customers and including BT
Openworld, one of the UK's leading ISPs.
- BT Wholesale, providing network services and solutions within the UK,
including ADSL, conveyance, transit, bulk delivery of private circuits,
frame relay and ISDN connections.
- BT Global Services, BT's managed services and solutions provider, serving
multi-site organisations worldwide. Its core target market is the top 10,000
global multi-site organisations with European operations.
There are a number of other businesses within the BT group, including BT Exact,
an internationally renowned centre of excellence in IT and networking
technologies. It is also BT's technology and research and development business.
In the year ended 31 March 2003, BT's turnover was GBP18,727m. with profit
before taxation of GBP1,829m.
For more information, visit www.bt.com
End
Enclosure No. 2
SCHEDULE 5
BLOCKLISTING SIX MONTHLY RETURN
1. Name of company: BT Group plc
2. Name of scheme:
a. BT Group executive option plans
b. BT Group employee savings related share schemes
3. Period of return:
From: 01 April 2003
To: 30 September 2003
4. Number and class of shares(s)
(amount of stock/debt security)
not issued under scheme
a. 23,210,689
b. 2,370,191
5. Number of shares issued/allotted
under scheme during period
a. nil
b. nil
6. Balance under scheme not yet issued/allotted
at end of period
a. 23,210,689
b. 2,370,191
7. Number and class of share(s)
(amount of stock/debt securities)
originally listed and the date of admission
a. 23,953,179 Ordinary Shares of 5p each listed between 19/12/01 and 22/03/02
b. 2,443,299 Ordinary Shares of 5p each listed between 05/02/02 and 11/02/02.
Please confirm total number of shares in issue at the end of the period
in order for us to update our records
8,670,849,554
Contact for queries:
Name: Maria Reeves
Address: pp A9D, BT Centre, 81 Newgate St, EC1A 7AJ
Telephone: 020 7356 5266
Date of Notification: 13 November 2003
End
Enclosure No. 3
NR 4503 November 17, 2003
BT SETS GOAL OF 100 PER CENT BROADBAND
Sets triggers for 2,300 more exchanges
Call for public sector involvement to help speed exchange upgrades
BT today declared that 100 per cent broadband coverage of every UK community is
achievable by 2005 if industry and government pull together. This would put the
UK in a position to lead the world.
BT currently makes mass market broadband available to more than 80 per cent of
households - more houses than are connected to mains gas - and the company is
set to upgrade exchanges serving 90 per cent during next year. That achievement
already puts the UK at the leading edge of G7 economies.
Today BT announced that it was extending its demand registration scheme for ADSL
broadband by setting triggers for a further 2,300 exchanges, serving two million
homes and businesses. The scheme drives BT's roll out programme by matching
supply to demand: BT sets trigger levels for communities to aim for and upgrades
the exchange when registrations for demand hit the trigger. Today's development
means 32 exchanges will be upgraded immediately.
Ben Verwaayen, BT Group chief executive, said: "BT's registration scheme has
been a world-leading success in focusing new investment where there is demand.
We have clear momentum and this, together with our latest understanding of
technology and costs and the growing enthusiasm for regional partnerships, means
we can take a new approach to broadband investment. We are now in a position to
extend trigger levels into the furthest parts of the UK.
"When all these exchanges are enabled more than 991 per cent of UK homes and
businesses would be connected to broadband exchanges.
"There's no doubt however that many of these trigger levels are very
challenging to hit. In some areas, market stimulation alone will not be
sufficient to deliver broadband. We are critically dependent on public
partnerships to stimulate demand and to intervene with support to get the
exchanges enabled early and even to help reduce the triggers. This will be
essential to deliver the benefits of broadband to every community.
"We are enormously encouraged by initiatives already under way to achieve 100
per cent availability at a local, regional or country level."
Today's announcement still leaves 600 of the very smallest exchanges without a
trigger level, each serving fewer than 300 customers. Ten of these serve fewer
than ten customers each. These areas, serving around 100,000 households, will
also require different partnership investment approaches to receive broadband.
There is then the issue of how to address the small percentage of people who
live in already enabled areas but who are currently unable to get DSL broadband.
BT is currently trialling encouraging new wireless solutions and is working to
extend the physical reach of DSL from enabled exchanges.
Ben Verwaayen said: "One hundred per cent broadband availability must be the
goal because of business demand for ICT, the imperative to share knowledge and
information quickly and the need to create a genuine knowledge economy.
"The important message is that we ask ourselves 'How can we do this?' and not '
Why should we do this?'. Setting out this clear and achievable goal for the
industry will energise the market to the benefit of everyone. Our industry,
along with government at all levels, has a huge role to play to accelerate
broadband availability, demand and take-up. Working together we can roll out
broadband to 100% of communities by 2005.
"This would put the UK at the head of the pack with all that means for our
economic success.
"Our announcement today creates great opportunities to extend the regional and
local partnership models already demonstrated to such effect in Cornwall,
Caerphilly and in our ground breaking approach with THUS and Highlands and
Islands Enterprise. Government plans to aggregate public sector demand in rural
areas and as a major purchaser of broadband for schools, hospitals and all
public services, will play a key role.
"Setting triggers does not by itself deliver broadband, and we should all be
impatient to speed the process up. Partnerships will do this and ensure that the
UK leads the world's large economies in becoming 100% broadband-enabled with
rapid take-up of broadband by citizens and business."
Note to editors: Demand registration triggers for the 2,300 exchanges have been
set by estimating the total cost of rollout to these exchanges and applying a
weighted average cost linked to the number of lines connected to the individual
exchange to calculate the trigger levels. Triggers will range from 100 to 500.
The new approach also acknowledges changes in the cost of equipment supply and
has enabled triggers for these exchanges to be lower than would previously have
been the case.
1 Average penetration of broadband on an enabled exchange is approximately 96%.
For information about broadband and availability go to www.bt.com/broadband
For information about partnerships go to www.bt.com/broadband-partnerships
-------------------------------
Inquiries about this news release should be made to the BT Group Newsroom on
its 24-hour number: 020 7356 5369. From outside the UK, dial + 44 20 7356 5369.
All BT Group news releases can be accessed at our web site:
www.btplc.com/mediacentre
End
Enclosure No. 4
Press Release
BT to monetise its interest in LG Telecom through an issue of exchangeable bonds
London, November 17th, 2003 - BT Group plc ("BT") announces today that it is
issuing bonds (the "Exchangeable Bonds") exchangeable into its 16.6% stake in LG
Telecom ("LGT"). Proceeds from the offering of approximately US$168-176 million
(GBP100-105m) will be used for general corporate purposes.
The Exchangeable Bonds will rank pari passu with the senior indebtedness of BT,
will be denominated in US dollars and will mature in December 2008. The
Exchangeable Bonds will pay a coupon of approximately 1.0-1.5% per annum, and
will be exchangeable into 45,992,408 shares in LGT at a premium of approximately
15-20% to LGT's current share price.
The final terms of the Exchangeable Bonds will be announced at the conclusion of
the bookbuilding process launched this morning. Bookbuilding is expected to
conclude tomorrow but may finish earlier.
BT has previously identified its interest in LGT as non-core, and this offering
forms part of BT's non-core asset disposal programme. Today's issue will enable
BT potentially to dispose of its stake in LGT at a price in excess of the
current share price if the share price appreciates during the life of the
Exchangeable Bond.
LGT is a leading Korean provider of wireless telecommunications services. It is
listed on KOSDAQ and has a market capitalisation of KRW 1,044bn (GBP523m).
Application has been made to list the Exchangeable Bonds on the Luxembourg Stock
Exchange. Prior to such listing, an offering circular will be published in order
to meet the listing requirements.
Lehman Brothers International (Europe) and Deutsche Bank AG London are Joint
Bookrunners to the Exchangeable Bond issue.
About BT
BT is one of Europe's leading providers of telecommunications services. Its
principal activities include local, national and international
telecommunications services, higher-value broadband and internet products and
services, and IT solutions. In the UK, BT serves over 20 million business and
residential customers with more than 29 million exchange lines, as well as
providing network services to other licensed operators.
In the year ended 31 March 2003, BT's turnover was GBP18,727 million, with
profit before taxation of GBP1,829 million.
Disclaimer
This is not an offer of securities. The securities will not be offered for sale
in the United States, Canada or Japan. The Bonds and the Shares are not being
registered under the US Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities
Act") and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to or for the
account or benefit of US persons (as such terms are defined in Regulation S
under the Securities Act) unless registered under the Securities Act or pursuant
to an exemption from registration. BT does not intend to register the securities
under the Securities Act.
In the United Kingdom, this announcement is directed exclusively at persons who
fall within article 19 or article 49 of the Financial Services and Markets Act
2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2001. The Exchangeable Bonds referred to in
this announcement will be issued only to such persons.
Stabilisation / FSA.
End
Enclosure No. 5
SCHEDULE 11
NOTIFICATION OF INTERESTS OF DIRECTORS AND CONNECTED PERSONS
1) Name of company
BT Group plc
2. Name of Director
Paul Reynolds
3) Please state whether notification indicates that it is in respect of holding
of the shareholder name in 2 above or in respect of a non-beneficial interest or
in the case of an individual holder if it is a holding of that person's spouse
or children under the age of 18 or in respect of a non-beneficial interest.
Director in 2) above
4) Name of the registered holder(s) and, if more than one holder, the number of
shares held by each of them (if notified)
Halifax Corporate Trustees Limited (as Trustee of the BT Group Employee Share
Investment Plan).
5) Please state whether notification relates to a person(s) connected with
the Director named in 2 above and identify the connected person(s)
n/a
6) Please state the nature of the transaction. For PEP transactions please
indicated whether general/single co PEP and if discretionary/non discretionary
Monthly purchase of shares under the terms of the BT Group Employee Share
Investment Plan.
7) Number of shares/amount of stock acquired:
Purchase of 69 shares at 181p per share.
8) Percentage of issued class
n/a
9) Number of shares/amount of stock disposed
n/a
10) Percentage of issued class
n/a
11) Class of security
Ordinary shares of 5p each
12) Price per share
181p
13. Date of transaction
14 November 2003
14) Date Company informed
14 November 2003
15) Total holding following this notification
Paul Reynolds:
1. 46,546 ordinary shares - personal holding;
2. 151,407 ordinary shares under BT Incentive Share Plan - contingent award;
3. 154,013 shares under BT Group Deferred Bonus Plan;
4. 11,824 shares under BT Executive Share Plan - contingent award;
5. Options over 4,555 shares under BT Group Employee Sharesave Scheme;
6. Options over 1,457,124 shares under BT Group Global Share Option Plan.
16) Total percentage holding of issued class following this notification
n/a
If a director has been granted options by the company please complete the
following boxes
17) Date of grant
n/a
18) Period during which or date on which exercisable
n/a
19) Total amount paid (if any) for grant of the option
n/a
20) Description of shares or debentures involved: class, number
n/a
21) Exercise price (if fixed at time of grant) or indication that price is
to be fixed at time of exercise
n/a
22. Total number of shares or debentures over which options held following this
notification
n/a
23) Any additional information
The above named Director has a technical interest, as at 14 October 2003 under
Section 13 of the Companies Act as follows:
- A technical interest, together with all employees of BT Group plc in
60,194 Ordinary Shares held by the Trustee, Halifax Corporate Trustees
Limited;
- A technical interest, together with all employees of BT Group plc in
30,495,650 Ordinary Shares held by Ilford Trustees (Jersey) Limited in
respect of contingent awards under executive share plans;
24) Name of contact and telephone number for queries
John Challis, 020 7356 4086
25) Name of signature or authorised company official responsible for making
this notification
John Challis
Date of Notification: 17 November 2003
End
Enclosure No. 6
November 17, 2003
TELEWEST CHIEF JOINS BT
One of the cable industry's top players is to join BT as group managing director
of its consumer and ventures division.
Gavin Patterson currently controls the largest part of Telewest's business as
managing director of its GBP950 million-turnover consumer division. He will fill
the vacancy left by the departure of Angus Porter from BT to the Abbey a few
months ago. Patterson, aged 36, will start in his new role on January 12.
As group managing director of BT's consumer and ventures division, Patterson
will be in charge of defending the company's fixed-line business in an
increasingly competitive marketplace and driving up sales of BT Broadband and
mobile services. He will also be responsible for setting the direction for BT's
new ventures that aim to generate additional revenue streams, including BT Home
Computing, BT Home Communications and BT Click&Buy.
Patterson will report to BT Retail CEO and plc director Pierre Danon and will
become a member of BT's management council. He has spent the past four years
with Telewest, first as marketing director of the company's telephone and
internet services, moving to become commercial director before taking up his
current post last year.
Prior to Telewest, Patterson worked for Procter and Gamble for nine years,
starting in brand management and rising to become European marketing director
for the company's third largest brand, Pantene. Patterson holds two masters
degrees in chemical engineering from Cambridge University.
Pierre Danon said: "We are delighted to welcome Gavin to our leadership team.
This is a crucial appointment for BT, as we are keen to maintain and build on
our success in competing aggressively in the fixed-line market, growing BT
Broadband numbers and developing our new ventures into strong and profitable
businesses. Gavin has the ability, experience and impressive track-record to
deliver a strong performance from a division which is an important contributor
to the overall success of BT."
Patterson said: "This is fantastic opportunity in a market that is more
competitive than ever. I am relishing the prospect of working for such a great
brand that is moving swiftly to achieve greater success with its traditional
services as well as new-wave areas that help customers get the most from
broadband and other exciting technology.''
- ends -
For interviews, photos or further information, please contact:
Michael Jarvis 020 7356 6045
Jon Carter 020 7356 4523
About BT
BT Group plc is the listed holding company for an integrated group of businesses
providing voice, data and video services in the UK and elsewhere in Europe.
British Telecommunications plc, a wholly-owned subsidiary of BT Group, holds
virtually all businesses and assets of the BT group.
BT is one of Europe's leading providers of telecommunications services. Its
principal activities include local, national and international
telecommunications services, higher-value broadband and internet products and
services, and IT solutions. In the UK, BT serves over 20 million business and
residential customers with more than 29 million exchange lines, as well as
providing network services to other licensed operators.
BT consists principally of three lines of business:
- BT Retail, serving businesses and residential customers and including BT
Openworld, one of the UK's leading ISPs.
- BT Wholesale, providing network services and solutions within the UK,
including ADSL, conveyance, transit, bulk delivery of private circuits,
frame relay and ISDN connections.
- BT Global Services, BT's managed services and solutions provider, serving
multi-site organisations worldwide. Its core target market is the top 10,000
global multi-site organisations with European operations.
There are a number of other businesses within the BT group, including BT Exact,
an internationally renowned centre of excellence in IT and networking
technologies. It is also BT's technology and research and development business.
In the year ended 31 March 2003, BT's turnover was GBP18,727m. with profit
before taxation of GBP1,829m.
For more information, visit www.bt.com
End
Enclosure No. 7
Monday, 17 November 2003
BT GROUP PLC
PURCHASE OF OWN SHARES
BT Group plc announces that it has today purchased for cancellation through
Merrill Lynch International 2,250,000 ordinary shares at an average price of
177.62 pence per share.
End
Enclosure No. 8
SCHEDULE 11
NOTIFICATION OF INTERESTS OF DIRECTORS AND CONNECTED PERSONS
1) Name of company
BT Group plc
2. Name of Director
Sir Christopher Bland
Ben Verwaayen
Ian Livingston
Pierre Danon
Andy Green
Paul Reynolds
3) Please state whether notification indicates that it is in respect of
holding of the shareholder name in 2 above or in respect of a non-beneficial
interest or in the case of an individual holder if it is a holding of that
person's spouse or children under the age of 18 or in respect of a
non-beneficial interest.
Adjustment in technical interest of the above directors
4) Name of the registered holder(s) and, if more than one holder, the number
of shares held by each of them (if notified)
Halifax Corporate Trustees Ltd
5) Please state whether notification relates to a person(s) connected with
the Director named in 2 above and identify the connected person(s)
n/a
6) Please state the nature of the transaction. For PEP transactions please
indicated whether general/single company PEP and if discretionary/non
discretionary
Adjustment in technical interest of the above directors
7) Number of shares/amount of stock acquired:
Recovery of 39,584 BT Group shares by Halifax Corporate Trustees Limited as
Trustee of the BT Group Employee Share Investment Plan from awards made to
non-eligible individuals.
8) Percentage of issued class
n/a
9) Number of shares/amount of stock disposed
n/a
10) Percentage of issued class
n/a
11) Class of security
Ordinary shares of 5p each
12) Price per share
n/a
13. Date of transaction
14 November 2003
14) Date Company informed
17 November 2003
15) Total holding following this notification
n/a
16) Total percentage holding of issued class following this notification
n/a
If a director has been granted options by the company please complete the
following details (17 - 22)
17) Date of grant
n/a
18) Period during which or date on which exercisable
n/a
19) Total amount paid (if any) for grant of the option
n/a
20) Description of shares or debentures involved: class, number
n/a
21) Exercise price (if fixed at time of grant) or indication that price is
to be fixed at time of exercise
n/a
22. Total number of shares or debentures over which options held following this
notification
No change
23) Any additional information
The above named Directors have technical interests, as at 17 November 2003 under
Section 13 of the Companies Act as follows:
- A technical interest, together with all employees of BT Group plc in
99,778 Ordinary Shares held by the Trustee, Halifax Corporate Trustees
Limited;
- A technical interest, together with all employees of BT Group plc in
30,495,650 Ordinary Shares held by Ilford Trustees (Jersey) Limited in
respect of contingent awards under executive share plans;
24) Name of contact and telephone number for queries
John Challis 020 7356 4086
25) Name of signature or authorised company official responsible for making
this notification
John Challis
Date of Notification: 17 November 2003
End
Enclosure No. 9
Press Release
BT prices its issue of bonds exchangeable into LG Telecom shares
London, November 17th, 2003 - BT Group plc ("BT") announces that it has
finalised the terms of its offering, announced this morning, of bonds
exchangeable into BT's shares in LG Telecom ("LGT").
After a successful bookbuilding exercise, which was heavily oversubscribed, the
bonds have been priced and fully allocated to institutional investors. They will
pay a coupon of 0.75% per annum, significantly lower than the indicated range,
and they will be convertible into LGT shares at a premium of 17.5% to LGT's
current share price. Proceeds from the offering will be US$172m (GBP102m).
Lehman Brothers International (Europe) and Deutsche Bank AG London are Joint
Bookrunners to the Exchangeable Bond issue.
Disclaimer
This is not an offer of securities. The securities will not be offered for sale
in the United States, Canada or Japan. The Bonds and the Shares are not being
registered under the US Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities
Act") and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to or for the
account or benefit of US persons (as such terms are defined in Regulation S
under the Securities Act) unless registered under the Securities Act or pursuant
to an exemption from registration. BT does not intend to register the securities
under the Securities Act.
In the United Kingdom, this announcement is directed exclusively at persons who
fall within article 19 or article 49 of the Financial Services and Markets Act
2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2001. The Exchangeable Bonds referred to in
this announcement will be issued only to such persons.
Stabilisation / FSA.
End
Enclosure No. 10
SCHEDULE 11
NOTIFICATION OF INTERESTS OF DIRECTORS AND CONNECTED PERSONS
1) Name of company
BT Group plc
2. Name of Director
Sir Anthony Greener
3) Please state whether notification indicates that it is in respect of holding
of the shareholder name in 2 above or in respect of a non-beneficial interest or
in the case of an individual holder if it is a holding of that person's spouse
or children under the age of 18 or in respect of a non-beneficial interest.
Purchase of shares by spouse
4) Name of the registered holder(s) and, if more than one holder, the number of
shares held by each of them (if notified)
Greenwood Nominees
5. Please state whether notification relates to a person(s) connected with the
Director named in 2 above and identify the connected person(s)
Spouse
6) Please state the nature of the transaction. For PEP transactions please
indicated whether general/single co PEP and if discretionary/non discretionary
purchase of shares
7) Number of shares/amount of stock acquired:
25,000
8) Percentage of issued class
n/a
9) Number of shares/amount of stock disposed
n/a
10) Percentage of issued class
n/a
11) Class of security
Ordinary shares of 5p each
12) Price per share
179.75p
13. Date of transaction
17 November 2003
14) Date Company informed
18 November 2003
15) Total holding following this notification
Sir Anthony Greener and Lady Greener:
36,167 ordinary shares of 5p each
16) Total percentage holding of issued class following this notification
n/a
If a director has been granted options by the company please complete the
following boxes
17) Date of grant
n/a
18) Period during which or date on which exercisable
n/a
19) Total amount paid (if any) for grant of the option
n/a
20) Description of shares or debentures involved: class, number
n/a
21) Exercise price (if fixed at time of grant) or indication that price is
to be fixed at time of exercise
n/a
22. Total number of shares or debentures over which options held following this
notification
n/a
23) Any additional information
n/a
24) Name of contact and telephone number for queries
John Challis, 020 7356 4086
25) Name of signature or authorised company official responsible for making
this notification
John Challis
Date of Notification: 18 November 2003
End
Enclosure No. 11
20 November 2003
S-CLUB 8 & PUDSEY'S "CALL" TO MAKE THIS YEAR'S
BBC CHILDREN IN NEED A WINNER!
Today S-Club 8 is officially launching the BBC Children in Need donation line,
0845 733 2233, ready for another night of fundraising on Friday November 21,
2003. The band will join Pudsey at the top of BT Tower to call for everyone's
support in raising as much cash as possible.
This year, as always BT, will be providing the telephony, network management and
call centres for the appeal, including BT Tower. Call centre operatives will be
joined by celebrities such as teen band Busted and Nicki Chapman, who will be
helping to take calls. BT is also providing an online donation service - via
www.bbc.co.uk/pudsey - so it could not be easier to make a pledge.
Calvin from S-Club 8 explains: "Every penny donated to BBC Children in Need goes
towards helping thousands of children across the UK. Please make a donation and
who knows, if you get through to the BT Tower during BBC Children in Need, you
might end up speaking to a celebrity!"
BT expects to handle more than 200,000 calls on the night. A total of 60 call
centres across the UK will be involved in the telethon with 3,000 lines in
action.
Beth Courtier, Head of charity programmes at BT said: "It's great to see so many
organisations come together to make BBC Children in Need so successful. BT would
like to thank all the hundreds of volunteers across the UK who give up their
time to take calls, helping us to raise as much cash as possible. They're doing
their bit, make sure you do yours, call 0845 733 22 33 today."
Last year over GBP26 million was raised for BBC Children in Need and every penny
donated went towards helping children and young people in the UK. The charity
spent GBP15m for children experiencing poverty, deprivation or homelessness;
GBP5m for children suffering from illness, abuse, distress or neglect; GBP5m
for children with mental or physical disabilities; and more than GBP1m for
children with behavioural and psychological disorders.
ENDS
For more information please contact James Wright (07747 106 900) or Justin
McKeown (0771 554 5973) on T.0870 606 0960 or Email jamesw@sinclairmason.com
Notes to Editor
1. S Club 8
S Club 8 will be performing on Friday November 21 for BBC Children in Need at a
concert, which features other acts including Holly Valance, Cheeky Girls and
Konnie Huq. The concert begins at 7pm and ends at 10pm and takes place Weymouth
Pavilion Theatre car park, The Esplanade, Weymouth, Dorset.
2. BT & BBC Children in Need 2003
BT has been an active supporter of BBC Children in Need since the early 1980s by
providing the telephone network management and call centres to help raise money
for disadvantaged children and young people. This year, BT will once again be
providing the telephone network management for this year's Appeal and will be
operating five call centres on the night in: Cardiff, Colwyn Bay, Lincoln, Stoke
and BT Tower.
3. BT online donation service for BBC Children in Need
This year BT are also providing a fully automated electronic payments service
for BBC Children in Need 2003 to enable online donations for this year's
fundraising event. Based on BT Card Payments, this online service is fully
integrated with the Appeal website allowing people to make fast and secure
donations via the internet and help Pudsey Bear in his quest to top the GBP26
million raised last year. To make an online donation visit www.bbc.co.uk/pudsey
4. BBC Children in Need registered charity 802052
BBC Children in Need helps disadvantaged children and young people in the UK,
including those who experience bereavement, homelessness, neglect, abuse and
poverty as well as those with disabilities, terminal illness and addiction.
5. How much did the 2002 Appeal raise altogether?
The final total for the 2002 Appeal came to a massive GBP26m. (This includes the
amounts raised on the night, and also the money sent in later by people who
raised funds.)
6. History of BBC Children in Need
- BBC Children in Need has been around longer than you might think. This
year sees the 24th annual TV show, but Children in Need has been helping the
nations' kids since the twenties. It started life as a 5-minute radio appeal
on Christmas Day 1927, which raised GBP1,143 (about
GBP27,150 in today's money).
- When it first appeared on TV in 1955, with a helping hand from Sooty, it
was still a Christmas appeal, and it remained a central part of the festive
schedule for the next 25 years.
- The first telethon appeal appeared on the nation's screens in 1980. Hosted
by Terry Wogan, Esther Rantzen and Sue Cook, it captured the public's
imagination, and for the first time the amount raised soared to over GBP1
million.
- Ever since then, there's been a star-studded telethon appeal every year,
and so far viewers have managed to raise a massive GBP325 million for
disadvantaged children throughout the UK. The charity has gone from strength
to strength, and last year alone distributed almost 2,000 grants to a
multitude of projects around the UK that help make a positive difference to
the lives of disadvantaged children throughout the UK.
7. Who Do You Help?
BBC Children in Need welcomes applications from properly constituted non-profit
organisations. The children helped are aged 18 years and under, and live in the
United Kingdom. You should only apply for a grant if it will benefit children
who are disadvantaged by:
- mental, physical or sensory disabilities
- behavioural or psychological problems
- living in poverty or situations of deprivation
- illness, distress, abuse or neglect
Every penny donated to BBC Children in Need is used to make a difference to
children and young people's lives. All administrative costs are paid for from
the interest accumulated on the money raised by the public.
End
Signatures
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf
by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
BT Group PLC
(Registrant)
By: /s/ Patricia Day
--------------------
Patricia Day, Assistant Secretary. Head of Shareholder Services
Date 01 December 2003