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Business
Jun 03, 2026
Analyzed by GPT OSS 120B

Bank of England proposes wildlife designs for next UK banknotes

AI Summary
The Bank of England has unveiled a shortlist of native British animals – from puffins to dolphins – that could appear on the next series of £5, £10, £20 and £50 notes. The move, framed as an anti‑counterfeiting upgrade, has sparked political criticism and a public consultation that runs until 3 July.

The Bank of England announced a shortlist of native wildlife to feature on the next generation of UK banknotes, positioning the change as both a security upgrade and a celebration of Britain’s natural heritage.

Bank of England releases wildlife shortlist for new banknotes

The shortlist includes mammals such as bottlenose dolphins, red foxes and European hedgehogs; birds like Atlantic puffins, barn owls and white‑tailed eagles; and a mixed category of amphibians, insects and fish, featuring the Atlantic salmon and buff‑tailed bumblebee. These species are all native to Britain and many are endangered, aligning the design brief with conservation messaging.

Public consultation details and voting mechanics

  • Consultation opens 3 June 2026 and closes on 3 July 2026.
  • Participants may select up to two examples from each of the three categories (mammals, birds, amphibians/insects/fish).
  • The Bank will use the vote to choose four distinct animals that are visually distinct across the £5, £10, £20 and £50 notes.
  • Final designs will also incorporate additional natural elements to aid note differentiation.

Political and public reaction to animal imagery

Critics, including Nigel Farage and Conservative minister Kemi Badenoch, dismissed the proposal as “silly” and “absolutely crackers”. The RSPCA urged the Bank to consider less‑celebrated species such as pigeons, rats and seagulls. Despite the backlash, the Bank emphasised that no beaver made the shortlist and that the initiative reflects public interest – wildlife was the most popular theme in a prior consultation.

Security and anti‑counterfeiting rationale

Beyond aesthetics, the Bank argues that complex animal patterns provide a robust canvas for advanced security features, making counterfeiting more difficult. Updated notes will also incorporate the latest accessibility technologies, ensuring they meet modern standards for the visually impaired.

What the next few years could hold for UK currency

Design and testing phases are lengthy, so the new wildlife‑themed notes are unlikely to enter circulation for several years. If adopted, the change could set a precedent for other central banks to blend cultural symbolism with security, while also raising public awareness of Britain’s threatened species.