v3.25.4
Taxation - Movements in deferred tax liabilities and assets (Details) - GBP (£)
£ in Millions
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2025
Dec. 31, 2024
Dec. 31, 2023
Disclosure Of Temporary Difference Unused Tax Losses And Unused Tax Credits      
Deferred tax (liability)/asset at start of year £ (389) £ (345)  
Credit/(charge) to profit 54 (6) £ 68
Credit/(charge) to equity/other comprehensive income (4) (7)  
Acquisitions (25) (15)  
Disposals and other   (2)  
Exchange translation differences 34 (14)  
Deferred tax (liability)/asset at end of year (330) (389) (345)
Acquired intangible assets      
Disclosure Of Temporary Difference Unused Tax Losses And Unused Tax Credits      
Deferred tax (liability)/asset at start of year (626) (652)  
Credit/(charge) to profit 52 52  
Acquisitions (25) (16)  
Exchange translation differences 36 (10)  
Deferred tax (liability)/asset at end of year (563) (626) (652)
Other temporary differences liabilities      
Disclosure Of Temporary Difference Unused Tax Losses And Unused Tax Credits      
Deferred tax (liability)/asset at start of year (183) (182)  
Credit/(charge) to profit 22 14  
Credit/(charge) to equity/other comprehensive income (8) (14)  
Exchange translation differences 7 (1)  
Deferred tax (liability)/asset at end of year (162) (183) (182)
Capitalised development costs      
Disclosure Of Temporary Difference Unused Tax Losses And Unused Tax Credits      
Deferred tax (liability)/asset at start of year (86)    
Deferred tax (liability)/asset at end of year (72) (86)  
Pension surplus      
Disclosure Of Temporary Difference Unused Tax Losses And Unused Tax Credits      
Deferred tax (liability)/asset at start of year (47)    
Deferred tax (liability)/asset at end of year (49) (47)  
Acquired intangible assets      
Disclosure Of Temporary Difference Unused Tax Losses And Unused Tax Credits      
Deferred tax (liability)/asset at start of year 66 99  
Credit/(charge) to profit (31) (31)  
Exchange translation differences 2 (2)  
Deferred tax (liability)/asset at end of year 37 66 99
Losses and other tax attributes      
Disclosure Of Temporary Difference Unused Tax Losses And Unused Tax Credits      
Deferred tax (liability)/asset at start of year 64 96  
Credit/(charge) to profit   (31)  
Acquisitions   1  
Exchange translation differences   (2)  
Deferred tax (liability)/asset at end of year 64 64 96
Pension balances      
Disclosure Of Temporary Difference Unused Tax Losses And Unused Tax Credits      
Deferred tax (liability)/asset at start of year 43 47  
Credit/(charge) to profit (3) (10)  
Credit/(charge) to equity/other comprehensive income 1 6  
Exchange translation differences (1)    
Deferred tax (liability)/asset at end of year 40 43 47
Other temporary differences assets      
Disclosure Of Temporary Difference Unused Tax Losses And Unused Tax Credits      
Deferred tax (liability)/asset at start of year 247 247  
Credit/(charge) to profit 14    
Credit/(charge) to equity/other comprehensive income 3 1  
Disposals and other   (2)  
Exchange translation differences (10) 1  
Deferred tax (liability)/asset at end of year 254 247 £ 247
Accruals and provisions      
Disclosure Of Temporary Difference Unused Tax Losses And Unused Tax Credits      
Deferred tax (liability)/asset at start of year 124    
Deferred tax (liability)/asset at end of year 127 124  
Share-based remuneration provision      
Disclosure Of Temporary Difference Unused Tax Losses And Unused Tax Credits      
Deferred tax (liability)/asset at start of year 63    
Deferred tax (liability)/asset at end of year £ 68 £ 63