Sources of finance - Analysis of Changes in Financing Activities (Details) - GBP (£) £ in Millions	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Changes in Financial Instruments [Abstract]
Borrowings, beginning balance	£ 4,465.1	£ 4,441.7
Derivatives, beginning balance	52.3	50.6
Lease liabilities, beginning balance	2,210.6	2,041.8
Share repurchase commitments, beginning balance	0.0	211.7
Liabilities from financing activities, beginning balance	6,728.0	6,745.8
Cash and short-term deposits, beginning balance	(2,491.5)	(3,882.9)
Bank overdrafts, beginning balance	505.7	342.3
Opening balance	4,742.2	3,205.2
Cash flow	(387.1)	823.5
Acquisition of subsidiaries	28.3	(38.7)
Foreign exchange	(145.5)	325.2
Interest and other	389.5	427.0
Borrowings, ending balance	4,363.1	4,465.1	£ 4,441.7
Derivatives, ending balance	(30.9)	52.3	50.6
Lease liabilities, ending balance	2,154.5	2,210.6	2,041.8
Share repurchase commitments, ending balance		0.0	211.7
Liabilities from financing activities, ending balance	6,486.7	6,728.0	6,745.8
Cash and short-term deposits, ending balance	(2,217.5)	(2,491.5)	(3,882.9)
Bank overdrafts, ending balance	358.2	505.7	342.3
Closing balance	4,627.4	4,742.2	3,205.2
Interest expense related to lease liabilities	102.9	92.4	£ 88.4
Liabilities From Financing Activities
Changes in Financial Instruments [Abstract]
Cash flow	(456.5)	(834.3)
Acquisition of subsidiaries	50.8	0.1
Foreign exchange	(225.1)	389.4
Interest and other	389.5	427.0
Borrowings
Changes in Financial Instruments [Abstract]
Cash flow	(48.9)	(220.6)
Acquisition of subsidiaries	48.9	0.0
Foreign exchange	(98.7)	237.2
Interest and other	(3.3)	6.8
Derivatives
Changes in Financial Instruments [Abstract]
Cash flow	(46.0)	0.0
Acquisition of subsidiaries	0.0	0.0
Foreign exchange	(50.8)	6.4
Interest and other	13.6	(4.7)
Lease liabilities
Changes in Financial Instruments [Abstract]
Cash flow	(361.6)	(402.0)
Acquisition of subsidiaries	1.9	0.1
Foreign exchange	(75.6)	145.8
Interest and other	379.2	424.9
Share repurchase commitments
Changes in Financial Instruments [Abstract]
Cash flow		(211.7)
Acquisition of subsidiaries		0.0
Foreign exchange		0.0
Interest and other		0.0
Cash and short-term debt
Changes in Financial Instruments [Abstract]
Cash flow	216.9	1,494.4
Acquisition of subsidiaries	(22.5)	(38.8)
Foreign exchange	79.6	(64.2)
Interest and other	0.0	0.0
Bank overdrafts
Changes in Financial Instruments [Abstract]
Cash flow	(147.5)	163.4
Acquisition of subsidiaries	0.0	0.0
Foreign exchange	0.0	0.0
Interest and other	£ 0.0	£ 0.0

The amount that has been withdrawn from an account in excess of existing cash balances. This is considered a short-term extension of credit by the bank. [Refer: Cash and cash equivalents]

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The amount of outstanding funds that the entity is obligated to repay.

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The amount of cash on hand and demand deposits, along with short-term, highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash and that are subject to an insignificant risk of changes in value. [Refer: Cash; Cash equivalents]

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The amount of derivative financial liabilities held for hedging. [Refer: Derivative financial liabilities]

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The amount of exchange differences recognised in profit or loss that arise from foreign currency transactions, excluding those arising on financial instruments measured at fair value through profit or loss in accordance with IFRS 9. [Refer: At fair value [member]; Financial instruments, class [member]]

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The amount of liabilities related to the entity's leases. Lease is a contract, or part of a contract, that conveys the right to use an underlying asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration.

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The amount of liabilities for which cash flows were, or future cash flows will be, classified in the statement of cash flows as cash flows from financing activities. [Refer: Cash flows from (used in) financing activities; Liabilities]

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Acquisition of Subsidiaries

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Adjustments For Interest Expense On Lease Liabilities

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Cash Flow Movement

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Changes in Financial Instruments

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Financial Assets and Liabilities, Net

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Interest Income, Net And Other Adjustments

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Share purchases close period commitments.

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