Dividends on ordinary shares (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2025

Disclosure of dividends [text block] [Abstract]

Schedule of Dividends On Ordinary Shares

Dividends paid during the year were as follows:

	2025 pence per share	2024 pence per share	2023 pence per share	2025 £m	2024 £m	2023 £m
Final dividend recommended by directors at previous year end	2.11	1.84	1.60	1,271	1,169	1,059
Interim dividend paid in the year	1.22	1.06	0.92	729	659	592
	3.33	2.90	2.52	2,000	1,828	1,651