UK dividends increased 18.4% in the second quarter of the year to a record high of £22.6 billion.
That outstripped the previous high point for the second quarter of £22bn which was set in 2007, according to the latest Dividend Monitor from Capita Registrars.
The surge meant figures for the first half of the year hit £41.4bn which was 21.3% up on 2011 and ahead of the £34.5bn in the first six months of 2008.
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