The Bank of England has defended its decision to feature wildlife on the next series of banknotes, a move that will see historical figures replaced. This comes after the Bank launched a public consultation earlier this month, inviting views on a selection of UK native wildlife.
Working with a panel of wildlife experts, the Bank compiled a shortlist of animals that could become the central image on the £5, £10, £20, and £50 notes. These include a dolphin, a fox, a butterfly, an owl, a bumblebee, and a shark. The overarching theme of nature for the new banknotes was initially announced in March, following a previous public consultation.
On Friday, The Telegraph reported the Bank dropped historical figures, including Sir Winston Churchill, Alan Turing and Jane Austen, from banknotes after research found they were “elitist” and “contentious and not representative of the UK’s cultural and natural diversity”.
The newspaper reported officials at the Bank were advised to replace portraits on notes as historical figures depicted “a backward-looking vision of the UK that carries too great a risk of division and controversy”.
It said the report by Savanta, a market research consultancy, was delivered just months before the Bank announced it would replace historical figures with wildlife on the next series of notes.
But the Bank said the theme for the new banknotes was selected after a public consultation was launched in July last year and received 44,000 responses.
Nature received the highest proportion of nominations in the consultation, as well as support in focus groups.
Other themes suggested in the consultation included notable historical figures; architecture and landmarks; arts, culture and sport; noteworthy events in history; and innovation.
A Bank of England spokesperson said: “To select the theme for our next series of banknotes, the Bank canvassed a range of opinion through a public consultation last year.
“This consultation received 44,000 responses and nature had the highest proportion of nominations and was the driver for our decision.
“This theme also received additional positive feedback in Bank-commissioned focus groups that took place once we had the results of the public consultation.”
Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey said: “Celebrating our country’s great heritage and the people who have contributed so much to it is important.
“That’s why we have been proud to honour individuals including William Shakespeare, Florence Nightingale and, more recently, Sir Winston Churchill.”
Mr Bailey will make the final decision on notes, taking into account feedback from the public, and the Bank will announce the outcome of its consultation by the end of 2026.
It will be a number of years before the next series is launched, with a detailed, multi-year process needed to design, test and print the banknotes, the Bank previously said.
This will help ensure they are resilient, accessible and include the latest anti-counterfeiting technology.
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