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Analysis of cash flows - Summary of Analysis of Cash Flows (Detail) - GBP (£) £ in Millions | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2019 | Dec. 31, 2018 | Dec. 31, 2017
Disclosure Of Cash Flow Statement [line items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Profit for the year | [1] | £ 950.1 | £ 901.1 | [2] | £ 2,059.4 | [2]
Taxation | [1] | 353.8 | 323.9 |  | 197.0 |
Revaluation and retranslation of financial instruments | [1] | (154.4) | 72.8 |  | (409.3) |
Finance costs | [1] | 376.4 | 289.3 |  | 269.8 |
Finance and investment income | [1] | (102.6) | (104.8) |  | (95.2) |
Share of results of associates | [1] | (21.2) | (43.5) |  | (113.5) |
Goodwill impairment on classification as held for sale | [1] | 94.5 |  |  |  |
Gain on sale of discontinued operations | [1] | (73.8) |  |  |  |
Attributable tax expense on sale of discontinued operations | [1] | 157.4 |  |  |  |
Non-cash share-based incentive plans (including share options) | [1] | 71.4 | 84.8 |  | 105.0 |
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment | [1] | 203.2 | 225.1 |  | 230.7 |
Depreciation of right-of-use assets | [1] | 317.9 |  |  |  |
Impairment of goodwill | [1] | 47.7 | 176.5 |  | 27.1 |
Amortisation and impairment of acquired intangible assets | [1] | 135.6 | 280.0 |  | 195.1 |
Amortisation of other intangible assets | [1] | 29.6 | 38.7 |  | 36.3 |
Investment write-downs | [1] | 7.5 | 2.0 |  | 95.9 |
Gains on disposal of investments and subsidiaries | [1] | (45.1) | (235.5) |  | (129.0) |
(Gains)/losses on remeasurement of equity interests arising from a change in scope of ownership | [1] | (0.4) | (2.0) |  | 0.3 |
Gain on sale of freehold property in New York | [1] | (7.9) |  |  |  |
Losses on sale of property, plant and equipment | [1] | 3.2 | 0.6 |  | 1.1 |
Decrease/(increase) in trade receivables and accrued income | [1] | 159.0 | (298.9) |  | (90.4) |
Increase/(decrease) in trade payables and deferred income | [1] | 394.7 | 500.9 |  | (170.8) |
Increase in other receivables | [1] | (263.8) | (52.9) |  | (110.6) |
Decrease in other payables – short-term | [1] | (16.4) | (31.8) |  | (122.8) |
Increase in other payables – long-term | [1] | 53.7 | 0.4 |  | 20.1 |
Increase/(decrease) in provisions | [1] | 23.1 | 48.0 |  | (57.3) |
Corporation and overseas tax paid | [1] | (536.0) | (383.6) |  | (424.7) |
Payment on early settlement of bonds | [1] | (63.4) |  |  |  |
Interest and similar charges paid | [1] | (270.6) | (252.8) |  | (246.6) |
Interest paid on lease liabilities | [1] | (105.1) |  |  |  |
Interest received | [1] | 80.8 | 90.4 |  | 76.9 |
Investment income | [1] | 18.3 | 15.4 |  | 16.8 |
Dividends from associates | [1] | 33.3 | 49.7 |  | 46.8 |
Net cash inflow from operating activities | [1] | 1,850.5 | 1,693.8 |  | 1,408.1 |
Acquisitions and disposals: |  |  |  |  |  |
Initial cash consideration |  | (3.9) | (126.7) |  | (214.8) |
Cash and cash equivalents acquired |  | 0.0 | 11.3 |  | 28.9 |
Earnout payments |  | (130.2) | (120.2) |  | (199.1) |
Purchase of other investments (including associates) |  | (27.2) | (48.1) |  | (92.5) |
Acquisitions |  | (161.3) | (283.7) |  | (477.5) |
Proceeds on disposal of investments and subsidiaries | [3] | 2,468.5 | 849.0 |  | 296.0 |
Cash and cash equivalents disposed |  | (327.5) | (15.1) |  |  |
Disposals of investments and subsidiaries |  | 2,141.0 | 833.9 |  | 296.0 |
Cash consideration for non-controlling interests |  | (62.7) | (109.9) |  | (47.3) |
Net acquisition payments and disposal proceeds |  | 1,917.0 | 440.3 |  | (228.8) |
Share repurchases and buy-backs: |  |  |  |  |  |
Purchase of own shares by ESOP Trusts |  |  | (102.8) |  | (214.6) |
Shares purchased into treasury |  | (43.8) | (104.3) | [1] | (289.6) | [1]
Net cash outflow |  | (43.8) | (207.1) |  | (504.2) |
Net increase/(decrease) in borrowings: |  |  |  |  |  |
(Decrease)/increase in drawings on bank loans |  | (70.6) | (819.3) |  | 785.6 |
Net cash (outflow)/inflow |  | (1,713.2) | (440.6) |  | 599.6 |
Cash and cash equivalents: |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash at bank and in hand | [4],[5] | 10,442.1 | 10,433.4 |  | 11,509.2 |
Short-term bank deposits | [4],[5] | 863.6 | 632.4 |  | 341.8 |
Overdrafts | [4],[5] | (8,572.4) | (8,864.6) |  | (9,852.8) |
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year | [4],[5] | 2,733.3 | 2,201.2 |  | 1,998.2 |
Repayment of EURO 600 million bonds [member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Net increase/(decrease) in borrowings: |  |  |  |  |  |
Repayment of bonds |  | (512.7) |  |  |  |
Repayment of USD 812 million bonds [member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Net increase/(decrease) in borrowings: |  |  |  |  |  |
Repayment of bonds |  | (618.8) |  |  |  |
Partial repayment of USD 272 million bonds [member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Net increase/(decrease) in borrowings: |  |  |  |  |  |
Repayment of bonds |  | (135.4) | (20.8) |  |  |
Partial repayment of USD 450 million bonds [member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Net increase/(decrease) in borrowings: |  |  |  |  |  |
Repayment of bonds |  | (176.2) | (37.3) |  |  |
Repayment of GBP 200 million bonds [member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Net increase/(decrease) in borrowings: |  |  |  |  |  |
Repayment of bonds |  | £ (199.5) |  |  |  |
Proceeds from issue of EURO 250 million bonds [member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Net increase/(decrease) in borrowings: |  |  |  |  |  |
Proceeds from issues of bonds |  |  | 218.8 |  | 214.0 |
Proceeds from issue of EURO 500 million bonds [member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Net increase/(decrease) in borrowings: |  |  |  |  |  |
Proceeds from issues of bonds |  |  | 438.0 |  |  |
Repayment of EURO 252 million bonds [member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Net increase/(decrease) in borrowings: |  |  |  |  |  |
Repayment of bonds |  |  | £ (220.0) |  |  |
Repayment of GBP 400 million bonds [member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Net increase/(decrease) in borrowings: |  |  |  |  |  |
Repayment of bonds |  |  |  |  | £ (400.0) |
[1] | Figures have been restated, as described in the accounting policies.
[2] | Prior year figures have been re-presented in accordance with IFRS 5 Non-current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations, as described in the accounting policies.
[3] | Proceeds on disposal of investments and subsidiaries includes return of capital from investments in associates.
[4] | Bank overdrafts are included in cash and cash equivalents because they form an integral part of the Group’s cash management.
[5] | Figures have been restated to be in accordance with IAS 39 Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement, as described in the accounting policies of the consolidated financial statements.

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