The Bank of England has initiated a public consultation to determine which British wildlife species will grace the next series of UK banknotes, moving away from historical figures for the first time since 1970. Eighteen animals, birds, and insects have been shortlisted, including the Atlantic puffin and the buff-tailed bumblebee, offering the public a month to cast their votes on these potential new symbols of national currency. This “wildlife beauty contest” follows earlier political controversy surrounding the decision to replace notable historical characters, such as Sir Winston Churchill, with depictions of British fauna.
The public engagement period, which commenced recently, allows individuals to offer their views on which species should be honoured across the £5, £10, £20, and £50 notes. Voters can select up to six of their favourite creatures from the shortlist, with a maximum of two choices permitted from each of the three distinct categories. The Bank has implemented a safeguard to prevent frivolous nominations, ensuring that no alternative suggestions can be submitted, thereby avoiding scenarios akin to “Stoaty McStoatface” jokes. Victoria Cleland, the Bank’s chief cashier, whose signature appears on all banknotes, expressed optimism about the initiative, stating, “I very much hope the public will enjoy engaging in our consultation to choose the animals to feature on our next series of banknotes.” She added that “The shortlisted animals demonstrate the rich variety of wildlife we have to celebrate in the UK.” The consultation period concludes at the end of July 3.
The shortlist, curated by a panel of wildlife experts, deliberately excluded household pets to maintain a focus on native British wildlife. The eighteen contenders are divided into three categories to ensure a broad representation of the UK’s biodiversity. The mammal category features six species: the bottlenose dolphin, the brown hare, the European hedgehog, the grey seal, the pine martin, and the red fox. The second category, dedicated to birds, includes the Atlantic puffin, the barn owl, the common kingfisher, the Eurasian curlew, the great spotted woodpecker, and the white-tailed eagle. Finally, the section for amphibians, insects, and fish comprises the Atlantic salmon, the basking shark, the buff-tailed bumblebee, the common frog, the Emperor dragonfly, and the marsh fritillary butterfly.
This shift in banknote imagery has not been without its critics. Earlier this year, the proposal to replace historical figures with wildlife ignited a “frenzy of condemnation” among political leaders. Reform leader Nigel Farage notably remarked, “They propose we replace people like him with a picture of a beaver,” although the beaver ultimately did not make the final shortlist. Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey questioned the timing, stating, “I can’t think of a worse time to do this with a war waging in Europe,” while Tory leader Kemi Badenoch dismissed it as “a silly thing to do.”
The Bank of England, however, has clarified that the primary motivation behind the redesign is to combat counterfeiting, necessitating the periodic replacement of all images on banknotes. Emma Soames, granddaughter of Sir Winston Churchill, whose image currently features on the £5 note, acknowledged the transient nature of such honours. She told the BBC she “never thought the image of her grandfather on the fiver ‘was going to go on forever’.” When asked about a potential replacement by a badger, which also failed to make the shortlist, she quipped, “Well, lucky badger or lucky grandpapa,” suggesting a suitable substitute should be a “very brave and courageous animal.” The RSPCA had advocated for “intelligent and ‘under-appreciated’ animals” such as rats, pigeons, foxes, and gulls, with only the red fox making the current shortlist.
The expert panel responsible for selecting the contenders includes prominent wildlife filmmakers and presenters Gordon Buchanan, Miranda Krestovnikoff, and Nadeem Perera, alongside Ulster Wildlife’s Katy Bell, and academics Steve Ormerod and Dawn Scott. Despite the public consultation, the ultimate decision on which four animals will feature on the banknotes rests with Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey, who is not bound to select the species receiving the highest number of public responses. The entire process of designing, testing, and printing the new notes is a multi-year endeavour before they can enter circulation. While the reverse side will feature wildlife, the notes will continue to include a portrait of the monarch and images representing the home nations. Currently, notes feature Sir Winston Churchill, author Jane Austen, artist JMW Turner, and mathematician Alan Turing in ascending order of value. Wildlife already appears on some UK currency, with mackerel, otters, red squirrels, and osprey featuring on notes issued by the Royal Bank of Scotland.
This public consultation represents a significant evolution in the visual identity of the UK’s currency, blending national heritage with a contemporary focus on biodiversity and public engagement. The initiative underscores the Bank of England’s commitment to maintaining secure, modern banknotes while fostering a connection between the public and the natural world. The final selection will not only adorn millions of transactions but also serve as a daily reminder of the UK’s rich ecological tapestry.
