Disposals and business closures - Additional Information (Detail) - GBP (£) £ in Millions		12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2023	Dec. 31, 2025	Dec. 31, 2023
Disclosure of disposal of subsidiaries [line items]
Costs related to previous disposals			£ 12
Unused provisions other provisions		£ 7
Disposal Of Copp Clark [Member] \| Copp Clark [Member]
Disclosure of disposal of subsidiaries [line items]
Proceeds from disposal of subsidiary		9
Gains on disposals of subsidiary		£ 8
Immaterial Disposals [Member]
Disclosure of disposal of subsidiaries [line items]
Unused provisions other provisions			9
Immaterial Disposals [Member] \| Pearson College and the international courseware [Member]
Disclosure of disposal of subsidiaries [line items]
Loss on disposals of subsidiary			19
Disposal of POLS Business [Member] \| Pearson Online Learning Services [Member] \| US UK Australia And India [Member]
Disclosure of disposal of subsidiaries [line items]
Proceeds from disposal of subsidiary			12
Gains on disposals of subsidiary			£ 13
Consideration receivable from acquirer in respect of additional consideration	27.50%
Period over which deferred consideration is receivable	6 years
Deferred consideration receivable from the acquirer as a percentage of earnings before interest tax depreciation and amortization	27.50%