The Bank of England has announced a shortlist of native wildlife that could appear on new UK banknotes, including puffins, bottlenose dolphins, and bumblebees. The move is part of a major design overhaul aimed at incorporating advanced anti-counterfeiting features, with the Bank stating that animals are especially well-suited for this purpose.
The decision has drawn criticism from some political figures, including Reform UK's Nigel Farage and Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, who questioned the replacement of historical figures like Winston Churchill with wildlife. However, the Bank defended the update, noting that banknotes are periodically refreshed to enhance security and accessibility. The RSPCA also criticised the choice, suggesting the Bank should focus on less popular species such as pigeons and rats.
A panel of wildlife experts helped compile the shortlist, which includes endangered species like the Atlantic salmon and marsh fritillary butterfly. The public can vote on the shortlist until 3 July, selecting up to two animals from each of three categories: mammals, birds, and a combined group of amphibians, insects, and fish. The winning animals will replace figures such as Jane Austen, Winston Churchill, and Alan Turing on £5, £10, £20, and £50 notes.
The Bank emphasised that the final selection will feature four distinct animals to ensure the notes are easily distinguishable, meaning the most popular choices may not all be used if they look too similar. Victoria Cleland, the Bank's chief cashier, encouraged public participation, saying the shortlist demonstrates the rich variety of UK wildlife. The new notes are expected to take several years to enter circulation due to the lengthy design and testing process.
