Table:
|  | 2019 | 2018 |
| --- | --- | --- |
|  | £m | £m |
| Adjusted operating profit | 282.7 | 264.9 |
| Depreciation and amortisation of property, plant and equipment, software and development | 34.3 | 32.9 |
| Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation | 317.0 | 297.8 |
| Net debt | 295.2 | 235.8 |
| Net debt to EBITDA | 0.9 | 0.8 |
Paragraphs:
2 Alternative performance measures continued
Net debt to earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA)
To assess the size of the net debt balance relative to the size of the earnings for the Group, we analyse net debt as a proportion of EBITDA. EBITDA is calculated by adding back depreciation and amortisation of owned property, plant and equipment, software and development to adjusted operating profit. Net debt excludes IFRS 16 lease liabilities. The net debt to EBITDA ratio is calculated as follows:
The components of net debt are disclosed in Note 24.
Question:
Why is net debt analysed as a proportion of EBITDA?
Answer: To assess the size of the net debt balance relative to the size of the earnings for the Group