Bank of England selects four native British species for future currency notes after public consultation, as new designs aim to celebrate wildlife and strengthen anti-counterfeiting features
The Bank of England has selected four native British species to feature on future banknotes, replacing the historical figures currently depicted on the country's currency. An Atlantic puffin, barn owl, buff-tailed bumblebee and European hedgehog will become part of the new designs as the central bank refreshes the appearance and security features of its notes.
The decision marks a significant change in the visual identity of British banknotes, which have traditionally featured prominent figures from the country's history and culture.
Winston Churchill, Jane Austen, JMW Turner and Alan Turing are among the figures currently represented on different denominations.
Nature Emerges as the Most Popular Theme
The Bank of England's decision follows a public consultation conducted last year to determine themes for future banknotes.
Around 44,000 people participated in the initial consultation, with nature emerging as the most popular theme. Historical figures ranked third among the preferences expressed by respondents.
The central bank subsequently conducted another consultation involving wildlife experts and around half a million members of the public before selecting the four species.
The chosen animals are intended to represent Britain's biodiversity while also providing opportunities to incorporate sophisticated security features into the new designs.
Four Species Selected for Future Notes
The four species chosen by the Bank of England are the Atlantic puffin, barn owl, buff-tailed bumblebee and European hedgehog.
Each represents a different aspect of Britain's native wildlife, ranging from seabirds and woodland species to pollinating insects and mammals.
The selection also reflects the growing public interest in biodiversity and conservation.
The Bank said the chosen animals would showcase the variety of wildlife found across the UK while helping enhance the security of future banknotes.
Churchill and Other Historical Figures to Exit
The change means Winston Churchill will eventually disappear from the front of the £5 note.
Churchill has featured on the denomination for roughly a decade. Other existing notes feature novelist Jane Austen, painter JMW Turner and Second World War code-breaker Alan Turing.
The move does not erase the historical significance of these personalities, but reflects the Bank's decision to adopt a new thematic approach to future currency designs.
King Charles III will continue to feature on the reverse side of UK banknotes, maintaining the monarch's presence across the currency series.
Decision Faces Political Criticism
The plan has also become part of Britain's political debate.
Right-wing politicians have criticised the decision to replace prominent historical figures with animals. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage previously described the move as “the definition of woke”.
Supporters of the new designs, however, point to the public consultation as evidence that the decision reflects public preferences rather than being imposed without consultation.
The Bank has emphasised that nature was the most popular theme among respondents, providing a public mandate for the direction of the new currency designs.
Security Will Be a Major Focus
The redesign is not solely about aesthetics.
The Bank of England said the new notes will incorporate features designed to make them more resistant to counterfeiting. Modern banknote production increasingly relies on sophisticated materials, security threads, holographic elements and other technologies to prevent forgery.
The new animal imagery will therefore need to be incorporated into designs that balance visual appeal with advanced security requirements.
The process is expected to take several years, and the Bank has not yet decided which species will appear on which denomination.
Why Banknote Design Matters
Banknotes are among the most visible symbols of a country's identity, making changes to their design more significant than a simple currency redesign.
Historical figures traditionally provide a connection with national achievements, while images of native wildlife can highlight environmental heritage and biodiversity.
The Bank's decision represents a broader shift towards using currency to reflect themes that resonate with contemporary public sentiment.
The new designs could also provide an opportunity to educate the public about species that are part of Britain's natural environment.
Cash Remains Part of the UK's Financial System
The redesign comes at a time when the use of physical cash has declined as digital payments and contactless transactions have expanded across the UK.
Despite this shift, banknotes remain an important part of the financial system, particularly for cash-dependent consumers and businesses.
Maintaining secure and durable notes is therefore still an important responsibility for the Bank of England.
The introduction of new designs also allows the central bank to update security technology while retaining physical currency for those who continue to rely on it.
New Notes Will Take Years to Arrive
The selected animals will not appear on banknotes immediately.
The Bank of England said the process of designing and introducing the new notes will take several years. A decision on which animal will be assigned to each denomination is also yet to be made.
The existing banknotes will continue to circulate until the new versions are ready, meaning the transition is expected to be gradual.
A New Visual Identity for British Currency
The move from historical personalities to native wildlife represents one of the most notable changes to Britain's modern banknote designs.
The Atlantic puffin, barn owl, buff-tailed bumblebee and European hedgehog will give future notes a distinctly natural theme while allowing the Bank of England to combine national identity with modern security technology.
For the public, the redesign will eventually mean seeing familiar British wildlife in place of some of the country's most famous historical personalities.
The debate surrounding the decision also highlights how something as ordinary as a banknote can become a reflection of changing cultural preferences, political debates and national identity.