The entries to show a decrease in the existing Allowance for receivables is Dr Allowance and Cr Irrecovable debt right? But the answer in the book says Dr Allowance and Cr SOPL (statement of Profit and Loss)?
You will Cr Irrecoverable debts, and this will end up on the Statement of profit or loss (either as a reduction in the total irrecoverable debts expense, or (if there are no other irrecoverable debts) and a negative expense).