v3.25.4
Business combinations (Tables)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2025
Texts Block [Abstract]  
Schedule of the Assets Acquired, and the Associated Consideration
  All figures in
£
millions
   
2025
   Total
    
2024
   Total
     
2023
   Total
  
Intangible assets
   
 
71
 
     1        117  
Trade and other receivables
   
 
7
 
     –        8  
Cash and cash equivalents
   
 
8
 
     –        4  
Trade and other liabilities
   
 
(4
)
 
     –        (7 ) 
Provisions, including uncertain tax provisions
   
 
(5
)
 
     –        –  
Deferred revenue
   
 
(10
)
 
     –        –  
Deferred tax
   
 
(1
)
 
     –        (31 ) 
       
Net assets acquired
   
 
66
 
     1        91  
Goodwill
   
 
102
 
     1        61  
       
Total
   
 
168
 
     2        152  
       
Satisfied by:
        
Cash consideration
   
 
168
 
     1        152  
Contingent or deferred consideration
   
 
–
 
     1        –  
       
Total consideration
   
 
168
 
     2        152  
Schedule of Cash Flow on Acquisitions
  All figures in
£
millions
   
 
2025
   Total
    
2024
   Total
    
2023
   Total
  
Cash flow on acquisitions
        
Cash – current year acquisitions
   
 
(168
)
      (1 )      (152 ) 
Cash paid into escrow account
   
 
(3
) 
     –       –  
Cash and cash equivalents acquired
   
 
8
 
      –       4  
Deferred payments for prior year acquisitions and other items
   
 
(4
)
      (38 )      (23 ) 
       
Net cash outflow
   
 
(167
)
      (39 )      (171 )