Table:
| Adjusted earnings per share (£m) | 2018/19 | 2017/18 | Change |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Trading profit | 128.5 | 123.0 | +4.5% |
| Less: Net regular interest | (40.5) | (44.4) | +8.9% |
| Adjusted profit before tax | 88.0 | 78.6 | +12.1% |
| Less: Notional tax (19%) | (16.7) | (14.9) | (12.1%) |
| Adjusted profit after tax6 | 71.3 | 63.7 | +12.1% |
| Average shares in issue (millions) | 841.5 | 836.8 | +0.6% |
| Adjusted earnings per share (pence) | 8.5 | 7.6 | +11.5% |
Paragraphs:
The Group reported a loss before tax of £(42.7)m in the year, compared to a profit before tax of £20.9m in 2017/18. A loss after tax was £(33.8)m, compared to a £7.2m profit in the prior year.
Adjusted profit before tax was £88.0m in the year, an increase of £9.4m compared to the prior year due to growth both in Trading profit and lower interest costs as described above. Adjusted profit after tax increased £7.6m to £71.3m in the year after deducting a notional 19.0% tax charge of £16.7m. Based on average shares in issue of 841.5 million shares, adjusted earnings per share in the year was 8.5 pence, growth in the year of +11.5%.
Question:
What was the loss before tax reported in the year?
Answer: £(42.7)m