Key facts
- The Bank of England will feature the European hedgehog, buff-tailed bumblebee, barn owl, and Atlantic puffin on new banknotes.
- The puffin was included to celebrate marine life and the British coastline.
- The buff-tailed bumblebee received 360,399 votes in a public poll.
- The European hedgehog was the most popular mammal in its category.
- The new designs will replace historical figures, including Sir Winston Churchill.
- The monarch will continue to be featured on the other side of the banknotes.
The Bank of England has revealed the four animal species that will feature on future UK banknotes, marking a shift from historical figures to wildlife. The chosen creatures are the European hedgehog, buff-tailed bumblebee, barn owl, and Atlantic puffin.
The selection process involved public nominations and voting, with the bumblebee, barn owl, and hedgehog topping their respective categories. The puffin was added to represent marine life and the UK coastline, adding variety to the designs and aiding in distinguishing denominations.
Victoria Cleland, the Bank's chief cashier, stated that these animals were chosen for their distinctiveness and to enhance banknote security. A panel of wildlife experts initially shortlisted 18 species before the public cast over 2.5 million votes.
However, the decision to replace historical figures like Sir Winston Churchill has drawn criticism from political leaders, including Reform leader Nigel Farage and Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch called the move "a silly thing to do."
The Bank of England indicated that the move is partly to combat counterfeiting, as all images on banknotes are replaced over time. Rhys Phillips, the incoming chief cashier, noted that the design, testing, and printing of new banknotes is a multi-year process, with the final designs to be unveiled closer to their launch.