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Financial instruments - Analysis of Financial Assets and Liabilities (Detail) - GBP (£) £ in Millions | Dec. 31, 2019 | Dec. 31, 2018 | Dec. 31, 2017
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Disclosure of detailed information about financial instruments [line items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Other investments | [1] | £ 498.3 |  | £ 666.7 |  | £ 1,153.5
Cash and short-term deposits | [1] | 11,305.7 |  | 11,065.8 |  | 11,851.0
Bank overdrafts, bonds and bank loans | [1] | (8,798.0) | [2] | (9,447.7) | [2] | (10,083.7)
Bonds and bank loans | [1] | (4,047.3) |  | (5,634.8) |  | (6,250.4)
Payments due to vendors (earnout agreements) (note 20) |  | (243.7) | [3] | (400.8) | [3] | £ (584.5)
Derivatives in designated hedge relationships [member] | Classification under IFRS 9 [member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Disclosure of detailed information about financial instruments [line items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Derivative liabilities |  |  |  | (14.2) |  |
Financial instruments |  |  |  | (14.2) |  |
Held at fair value through profit or loss [member] | Classification under IFRS 9 [member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Disclosure of detailed information about financial instruments [line items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Other investments |  | 255.7 |  | 319.6 |  |
Derivative assets |  | 1.4 |  | 9.7 |  |
Derivative liabilities |  | (22.7) | [1] | (2.6) |  |
Payments due to vendors (earnout agreements) (note 20) | [3] | (243.7) |  | (400.8) |  |
Liabilities in respect of put options | [3] | (204.5) |  | (208.0) |  |
Financial instruments |  | (213.8) |  | (282.1) |  |
Held at fair value through other comprehensive income [member] | Classification under IFRS 9 [member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Disclosure of detailed information about financial instruments [line items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Other investments |  | 242.6 |  | 347.1 |  |
Financial instruments |  | 242.6 |  | 347.1 |  |
Amortised cost [member] | Classification under IFRS 9 [member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Disclosure of detailed information about financial instruments [line items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash and short-term deposits | [2] | 11,305.7 |  | 11,065.8 |  |
Bank overdrafts, bonds and bank loans | [2] | (8,798.0) |  | (9,447.7) |  |
Bonds and bank loans |  | (4,047.3) |  | (5,634.8) |  |
Trade and other receivables: amounts falling due within one year |  | 7,530.8 |  | 8,545.6 |  |
Trade and other receivables: amounts falling due after more than one year |  | 59.3 |  | 68.3 |  |
Trade and other payables: amounts falling due within one year |  | (10,191.6) |  | (10,637.3) |  |
Trade and other payables: amounts falling due after more than one year |  | (2.6) |  | (8.4) |  |
Financial instruments |  | (4,143.7) |  | (6,048.5) |  |
Carrying value [member] | Classification under IFRS 9 [member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Disclosure of detailed information about financial instruments [line items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Other investments |  | 498.3 |  | 666.7 |  |
Cash and short-term deposits | [2] | 11,305.7 |  | 11,065.8 |  |
Bank overdrafts, bonds and bank loans | [2] | (8,798.0) |  | (9,447.7) |  |
Bonds and bank loans |  | (4,047.3) |  | (5,634.8) |  |
Trade and other receivables: amounts falling due within one year |  | 7,530.8 |  | 8,545.6 |  |
Trade and other receivables: amounts falling due after more than one year |  | 59.3 |  | 68.3 |  |
Trade and other payables: amounts falling due within one year |  | (10,191.6) |  | (10,637.3) |  |
Trade and other payables: amounts falling due after more than one year |  | (2.6) |  | (8.4) |  |
Derivative assets |  | 1.4 |  | 9.7 |  |
Derivative liabilities |  | (22.7) | [1] | (16.8) |  |
Payments due to vendors (earnout agreements) (note 20) | [3] | (243.7) |  | (400.8) |  |
Liabilities in respect of put options | [3] | (204.5) |  | (208.0) |  |
Financial instruments |  | £ (4,114.9) |  | £ (5,997.7) |  |
[1] | Figures have been restated, as described in the accounting policies.
[2] | 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.
[3] | Figures have been restated to be in accordance with IAS 39 Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement, as described in the accounting policies.

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