Public Consultation Launched for New UK Banknotes Featuring Wildlife Images
Reaching into your pocket for a dolphin, or lending a mate a hedgehog? Brits can now vote on animal images for bank notes
Image: Mail Online
The Bank of England has announced a public consultation for new banknotes featuring wildlife images, replacing historical figures. A shortlist of 18 species includes mammals, birds, and amphibians. The consultation runs until July 3, with the final decision expected by year-end.
- 01The Bank of England revealed a shortlist of 18 species for new banknotes, including the bottlenose dolphin and European hedgehog.
- 02The public can vote for up to two animals from each of three categories: mammals, birds, and amphibians/insects/fish.
- 03The consultation is open until July 3, but the governor may not select the top choices to ensure distinct designs.
- 04Current banknotes feature historical figures like Winston Churchill and Jane Austen, which wildlife advocates argue should be replaced.
- 05The amount of cash in circulation has increased to £91.5 billion as of February 2026, despite a decline in cash transactions.
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The Bank of England has initiated a public consultation to select new wildlife images for its banknotes, which will replace historical figures such as Winston Churchill and Jane Austen. A shortlist of 18 species has been published, including mammals like the bottlenose dolphin and European hedgehog, birds such as the Atlantic puffin and barn owl, and amphibians/insects/fish like the Atlantic salmon and buff-tailed bumblebee. The consultation allows the public to vote for up to two species from each category until July 3, with the final decision expected by the end of the year. Bank of England chief cashier Victoria Cleland expressed hope that the public will engage with the consultation. While the consultation results will be considered, the governor may prioritize distinct designs over the most popular choices. The move has sparked controversy, with critics arguing it erases historical significance, but the Bank insists it aims to celebrate the UK's diverse wildlife.
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The decision to feature wildlife on banknotes may influence public perception of cash and its cultural significance.
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