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Deferred tax - Movements of Major Gross Deferred Tax Assets (Detail) - GBP (£) £ in Millions | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2019 | Dec. 31, 2018
Disclosure of temporary difference, unused tax losses and unused tax credits [line items] |  |  |
Beginning balance | [1] | £ 153.0 | £ 160.3
Ending balance | [1] | 187.9 | 153.0
Gross deferred tax assets [member] |  |  |
Disclosure of temporary difference, unused tax losses and unused tax credits [line items] |  |  |
Beginning balance |  | 412.0 | 411.8
Acquisition of subsidiaries |  |  | 2.0
Credit/(charge) to income |  | 57.6 | (16.6)
Charge to other comprehensive income |  | (3.2) | (0.2)
Credit/(charge) to equity |  | 30.9 | (1.6)
Transfer to disposal group classified as held for sale |  | (56.3) |
Exchange differences |  | (10.1) | 16.6
Ending balance |  | 430.9 | 412.0
Gross deferred tax assets [member] | Deferred compensation [member] |  |  |
Disclosure of temporary difference, unused tax losses and unused tax credits [line items] |  |  |
Beginning balance |  | 61.6 | 53.5
Credit/(charge) to income |  | (1.7) | 4.7
Transfer to disposal group classified as held for sale |  | (4.2) |
Exchange differences |  | (2.2) | 3.4
Ending balance |  | 53.5 | 61.6
Gross deferred tax assets [member] | Accounting provisions and accruals [member] |  |  |
Disclosure of temporary difference, unused tax losses and unused tax credits [line items] |  |  |
Beginning balance |  | 101.4 | 84.9
Credit/(charge) to income |  | 10.2 | 13.0
Transfer to disposal group classified as held for sale |  | (19.2) |
Exchange differences |  | (5.0) | 3.5
Ending balance |  | 87.4 | 101.4
Gross deferred tax assets [member] | Retirement benefit obligation [member] |  |  |
Disclosure of temporary difference, unused tax losses and unused tax credits [line items] |  |  |
Beginning balance |  | 68.5 | 75.6
Credit/(charge) to income |  | 6.7 | (11.2)
Charge to other comprehensive income |  | (3.2) | (0.2)
Transfer to disposal group classified as held for sale |  | (12.3) |
Exchange differences |  | (2.2) | 4.3
Ending balance |  | 57.5 | 68.5
Gross deferred tax assets [member] | Property, plant and equipment [member] |  |  |
Disclosure of temporary difference, unused tax losses and unused tax credits [line items] |  |  |
Beginning balance |  | 47.9 | 68.4
Credit/(charge) to income |  | 19.4 | (20.6)
Credit/(charge) to equity |  | 27.8 |
Transfer to disposal group classified as held for sale |  | (13.6) |
Exchange differences |  | 3.2 | 0.1
Ending balance |  | 84.7 | 47.9
Gross deferred tax assets [member] | Tax losses and credits [member] |  |  |
Disclosure of temporary difference, unused tax losses and unused tax credits [line items] |  |  |
Beginning balance |  | 67.1 | 72.7
Credit/(charge) to income |  | 24.2 | (8.9)
Transfer to disposal group classified as held for sale |  | (3.0) |
Exchange differences |  | (2.0) | 3.3
Ending balance |  | 86.3 | 67.1
Gross deferred tax assets [member] | Share-based payments [member] |  |  |
Disclosure of temporary difference, unused tax losses and unused tax credits [line items] |  |  |
Beginning balance |  | 16.8 | 33.0
Credit/(charge) to income |  | 2.9 | (15.3)
Credit/(charge) to equity |  | 3.1 | (1.6)
Transfer to disposal group classified as held for sale |  | (0.7) |
Exchange differences |  | (0.6) | 0.7
Ending balance |  | 21.5 | 16.8
Gross deferred tax assets [member] | Restructuring provisions [member] |  |  |
Disclosure of temporary difference, unused tax losses and unused tax credits [line items] |  |  |
Beginning balance |  | 17.3 | 5.8
Credit/(charge) to income |  | 12.5 | 10.7
Transfer to disposal group classified as held for sale |  | (3.4) |
Exchange differences |  | (0.6) | 0.8
Ending balance |  | 25.8 | 17.3
Gross deferred tax assets [member] | Other temporary differences [member] |  |  |
Disclosure of temporary difference, unused tax losses and unused tax credits [line items] |  |  |
Beginning balance |  | 31.4 | 17.9
Acquisition of subsidiaries |  |  | 2.0
Credit/(charge) to income |  | (16.6) | 11.0
Transfer to disposal group classified as held for sale |  | 0.1 |
Exchange differences |  | (0.7) | 0.5
Ending balance |  | £ 14.2 | £ 31.4
[1] | Figures have been restated, as described in the accounting policies.

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