The Directors of BlackRock Smaller Companies Trust plc announced the payment of a second interim dividend of 19.70 pence per share (2019: 19.20 pence per share), making a total for the year of 32.50 pence per share, an increase of 4.2% over the total dividends of 31.20 pence per share paid in the previous year. In determining the level of dividend the board is mindful of upcoming that the company retains a buffer of revenue reserves for future years. The company has now increased its annual dividend every year since 2003. The second interim dividend will be paid on 29 June 2020 to shareholders on the register on 12 June 2020; the ex-dividend date is 11 June 2020.