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Analysis of cash flows - Summary of Analysis of Cash Flows (Details) - GBP (£)
£ in Millions
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2024
Dec. 31, 2023
Dec. 31, 2022
Cash flows from (used in) operating activities [abstract]      
Profit for the year £ 629 £ 197 £ 775
Taxation 402 149 385
Revaluation and retranslation of financial instruments 50 (7) (76)
Finance costs 417 389 359
Finance and investment income (137) (127) (145)
(Earnings)/losses from associates (36) (70) 60
Operating profit 1,325 531 1,358
Non-cash share-based incentive plans (including share options) 109 140 122
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment 156 165 167
Depreciation of right-of-use assets 213 257 262
Impairment charges included within restructuring costs 3 185 43
Goodwill impairment 237 63 38
Amortisation and impairment of acquired intangible assets 93 728 62
Amortisation of other intangible assets 32 25 22
Other impairment charges 26 18 77
(Gains)/losses on disposal of investments and subsidiaries (322) (7) 36
Gains on remeasurement of equity interests arising from a change in scope of ownership 0 0 (66)
Other transaction costs 10 0 0
Gains of sale of property, plant and equipment (7) 0 (6)
Operating cash flow before movement in working capital and provisions 1,875 2,105 2,115
Decrease/(increase) in trade receivables and accrued income 309 232 (499)
Increase/(decrease) in trade payables and deferred income 31 (238) 171
Decrease/(increase) in other receivables 16 125 (154)
Decrease in other payables (240) (445) (327)
Increase/(decrease) in provisions 69 66 (38)
Cash generated by operations 2,060 1,845 1,268
Corporation and overseas tax paid (392) (395) (391)
Interest paid on lease liabilities (95) (103) (92)
Other interest and similar charges paid (306) (275) (210)
Interest received 109 116 88
Investment income 11 13 25
Dividends from associates 31 43 38
Contingent consideration payments recognised in operating activities (10) (6) (25)
Net cash inflow from operating activities [1] 1,408 1,238 701
Acquisitions and disposals:      
Initial cash consideration (47) (227) (218)
Cash and cash equivalents acquired 14 23 39
Contingent consideration payments recognised in investing activities (87) (53) (47)
Purchase of other investments (including associates) (33) (10) (10)
Acquisitions [1] (153) (267) (236)
Proceeds on disposal of investments and subsidiaries 646 100 50
Cash and cash equivalents disposed (93) (1) (12)
Disposals of investments and subsidiaries [2] 553 99 38
Cash consideration received from non-controlling interests 0 46 0
Cash consideration for purchase of non-controlling interests (87) (16) (84)
Cash consideration for purchase of non-controlling interests (87) 30 (84)
Net acquisition payments and disposal proceeds 313 (138) (282)
Share repurchases and buybacks:      
Purchase of own shares by ESOP Trusts (82) (54) (55)
Shares purchased into treasury for cancellation 0 0 (807)
Share repurchases and buy-backs £ (82) £ (54) £ (862)
[1] Contingent consideration liability payments in excess of the amount determined at acquisition are recorded as operating activities.
[2] Disposals of investments and subsidiaries represents consideration received less cash and cash equivalents disposed.