v3.25.4
Classification of financial instruments - Additional Information (Detail) - GBP (£)
£ in Millions
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2025
Dec. 31, 2024
Dec. 31, 2023
Disclosure of financial liabilities [line items]      
Derivative assets £ 16 £ 51  
Derivative liabilities (3) (58)  
Financial assets 1,217 1,515  
Other financial assets 125 141 £ 143
Cash and cash equivalents 333 543  
Carrying Amount Of Investment 1    
Transfers out of Level 3 of fair value hierarchy, assets   £ 6  
Contingent consideration receivable as a percentage of proceeds received by the purchaser in relation to any future monetization event   27.50%  
Total market value for financial liabilities (1,761) £ (1,788)  
Six Years [member]      
Disclosure of financial liabilities [line items]      
Contingent consideration receivable as a percentage of positive adjusted earnings before interest tax depreciation and amortization   27.50%  
Investments in unlisted securities [member]      
Disclosure of financial liabilities [line items]      
Financial assets 125 £ 141  
Deferred And Contingent Consideration [Member]      
Disclosure of financial liabilities [line items]      
Total market value for financial liabilities (17) (22) (57)
Other Receivable [Member]      
Disclosure of financial liabilities [line items]      
Financial assets 16 12  
Level 2 of fair value hierarchy [member]      
Disclosure of financial liabilities [line items]      
Derivative assets 16 51  
Derivative liabilities 3 58  
Level 3 of fair value hierarchy [member]      
Disclosure of financial liabilities [line items]      
Other financial assets 137 147 £ 155
Transfers out of Level 3 of fair value hierarchy, assets 0 6  
Level 3 of fair value hierarchy [member] | Investments in unlisted securities [member]      
Disclosure of financial liabilities [line items]      
Other financial assets 124 135  
Transfers out of Level 3 of fair value hierarchy, assets 0    
Level 3 of fair value hierarchy [member] | Deferred And Contingent Consideration [Member]      
Disclosure of financial liabilities [line items]      
Total market value for financial liabilities 1 1  
Level 3 of fair value hierarchy [member] | Other Receivable [Member]      
Disclosure of financial liabilities [line items]      
Financial assets 13 12  
Other financial assets 13 12  
Transfers out of Level 3 of fair value hierarchy, assets 0    
Level 3 of fair value hierarchy [member] | Other Receivable [Member] | Pearson Online Learning Services [Member]      
Disclosure of financial liabilities [line items]      
Contingent consideration receivable on the disposal of business 13 12  
Level 1 of fair value hierarchy [member] | Money market funds [member]      
Disclosure of financial liabilities [line items]      
Group Bonds 685 918  
Cash and cash equivalents 11 62  
Level 1 of fair value hierarchy [member] | Other Receivables Related To Escrow Account [Member]      
Disclosure of financial liabilities [line items]      
Other receivables 3 0  
Level 1 of fair value hierarchy [member] | Listed Securities [Member]      
Disclosure of financial liabilities [line items]      
Financial assets, at fair value £ 1 £ 6