v3.26.1
Analysis of cash flows (Details) - GBP (£)
£ in Millions
 6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2026
Jun. 30, 2025
Analysis of cash flows [Abstract]    
Profit for the period £ 37 £ 70
Taxation 69 28
Revaluation and retranslation of financial instruments 34 11
Finance costs 174 178
Finance and investment income (39) (49)
Earnings from associates (14) (17)
Profit (loss) from operating activities 261 221
Adjustments for:    
Non-cash share-based incentive plans (including share options) 49 41
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment 66 82
Depreciation of right-of-use assets 98 101
Goodwill impairment 0 116
Impairment of investments in associates 2 0
Property-related impairment charges 22 5
Amortisation and impairment of acquired intangible assets 26 32
Amortisation of other intangible assets 24 20
Losses/(gains) on disposal of investments and subsidiaries 4 (2)
Operating cash flow before movements in working capital and provisions 552 616
Decrease in working capital (1,001) (1,333)
Increase/(decrease) in provisions 14 (15)
Cash used by operations (435) (732)
Corporation and overseas tax paid (120) (168)
Interest paid on lease liabilities (47) (50)
Other interest and similar charges paid (129) (117)
Interest received 44 24
Investment income 6 5
Dividends from associates 26 15
Contingent consideration liability payments recognised in operating activities (5) (13)
Net cash outflow from operating activities [1] £ (660) £ (1,036)
[1] Contingent consideration liability payments in excess of the amount determined at acquisition are recorded as operating activities.