This report was created in order to communicate the performance of our company in achieving its five ambitions. Given their importance in delivering the ambitions, it was felt that the principal audience for the report should the EDF Energy employees, whilst keeping it relevant to other stakeholders.

We therefore sought input from our employees to create a report that covered the most important issues in an honest and transparent way. An employee group was formed, with volunteers from across the company to advise on the content and the tone of the report. They met to review the final draft and to provide general feedback on the report and on the reporting process. The group felt that the extent of its involvement in this year's process was insufficient for them to be able to provide a comprehensive assurance, but offered a number of comments, of which these are a sample:

'The fact that we've made firm commitments for 2005, particularly the carbon policy, is great. It will be interesting to review and report on these commitments next year.'

'The report did not mention the steps being taken to harmonise packages offered to all previously separate organisations that make up EDF Energy. However, the introduction of a final salary pension scheme and the commitment to UK-based call centres were encouraging signs of the will to achieve the ambition regarding staff. This ambition must remain at the forefront during this period of great change.'

Next year, we will expand the role of a similar staff group in order to include an element of stakeholder assurance.