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Share capital and shares held in treasury - Summary of number of ordinary shares (Details) - GBP (£)
£ / shares in Units, £ in Millions
 2 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Feb. 28, 2026
Dec. 31, 2025
Dec. 31, 2024
Dec. 31, 2023
Dec. 05, 2025
Share capital and shares held in treasury          
Shares issued at start of year 1,828,060,365 1,880,844,719 1,906,907,605    
Treasury shares at start of year (9,000,000) (24,900,000)      
Shares outstanding at start of year 1,819,061,446 1,855,941,895 1,881,500,000    
Issue of ordinary shares   2,215,646 2,937,114    
Repurchase of ordinary shares   (39,500,000) (28,900,000) (30,900,000)  
Net release of shares by the employee benefit trust   400,000 400,000    
Cancellation of ordinary shares   (55,000,000) (29,000,000)    
Cancellation of treasury share   55,000,000 29,000,000    
Shares issued at end of year   1,828,060,365 1,880,844,719 1,906,907,605  
Treasury shares at end of year   (9,000,000) (24,900,000)    
Shares outstanding at end of year   1,819,061,446 1,855,941,895 1,881,500,000  
Average price of ordinary shares repurchased   £ 37.97      
Repurchase of ordinary shares   £ 1,500 £ 1,000 £ 800  
Value of ordinary shares non-discretionary repurchase programme         £ 250
Accrual for ordinary shares non-discretionary repurchase programme   £ 250      
Number of ordinary shares repurchased under non-discretionary programme 8,800,000        
Shares purchased by Employee Benefit Trust   1,900,000      
Purchase of shares by Employee Benefit Trust   £ 76 75 50  
Shares held by the Employee Benefit Trust, amount   £ 153 £ 139 £ 117  
Treasury shares held by employee benefit trust   4,891,047 5,295,154 5,663,529  
Treasury shares held by parent company   4,107,872 19,607,670 19,712,193