The Bank of England has announced a shortlist of native British wildlife that could appear on new banknotes, including puffins, dolphins, and bumblebees. The move aims to update imagery while incorporating advanced anti-counterfeiting features.
The decision has sparked criticism from political figures such as Nigel Farage and Kemi Badenoch, who opposed replacing historical figures like Winston Churchill with animals. However, the Bank emphasised that periodic updates are necessary for security and accessibility, and that wildlife imagery celebrates an important aspect of the UK.
The public can vote on the shortlist, which includes mammals like red foxes and bottlenose dolphins, birds such as puffins, and a combined category of amphibians, insects, and fish featuring Atlantic salmon and marsh fritillary butterflies. The consultation runs until 3 July.
The Bank will select four distinct animals to ensure the notes are easily distinguishable. Victoria Cleland, the Bank's chief cashier, encouraged public participation, noting that the chosen species will replace figures like Jane Austen and Alan Turing on £5, £10, £20, and £50 notes. The new notes are expected to enter circulation in several years.
