C1356 words2:40News Report British AccentPublished Mar 21, 2026 · Updated Mar 23, 2026

Society & Current AffairsAnimals Nature Economy

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The Bank of England has announced that native British wildlife will appear on the next generation of banknotes, replacing the historical figures currently depicted on currency.

the five, ten, twenty, and fifty pound notes.

Although the specific animals have yet to be determined, a panel of wildlife experts and academics will compile a shortlist for public consultation later this summer.

The decision to feature animals on banknotes has not been without controversy.

Several politicians, including Nigel Farage and Ed Davey, have expressed dissatisfaction with the removal of celebrated figures such as Winston Churchill and Jane Austen.

Nevertheless, public consultations conducted by the Bank suggest that the majority of citizens favour the transition to wildlife imagery.

Regularly updating the currency design also serves a practical purpose, as it helps authorities combat counterfeiting more effectively.

Early favourites among the candidates include beloved garden creatures such as the hedgehog and the robin, alongside charismatic predators like the barn owl.

Tony Juniper, chair of Natural England, has advocated that the selection criteria should prioritise species successfully reintroduced to England.

#10

Were the committee to adopt this approach, candidates might include the white-tailed eagle and the large blue butterfly.

#11

Scotland already features wildlife on its banknotes, with mackerel, otters, red squirrels, and osprey adorning notes issued by the Royal Bank of Scotland.

#12

Not all nominations have centred on conventionally appealing species.

#13

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has urged that overlooked and unfashionable animals deserve representation on the new banknotes.

#14

Among its suggestions are the feral pigeon, the urban fox, the herring gull, and the brown rat.

#15

Should such unconventional creatures ultimately feature on British currency, it would represent a bold departure from traditional design sensibilities.

#16

Wildlife broadcaster Chris Packham has nominated the red fox for the five pound note, describing foxes as bold, resilient, and quintessentially British.

#17

The final selection process is expected to generate considerable public interest, with millions of citizens likely to participate in the vote.

#18

Whichever animals are ultimately chosen, the new banknotes will serve as a celebration of Britain's rich natural heritage and may even raise awareness of endangered species across the nation.

Phrase List (9 phrases)

Phrases with type tags, bilingual definitions, usage notes, and example sentences.

not without controversy

idiom

Something that causes disagreement or debate; not universally accepted.

Example: The government's decision to increase taxes was not without controversy.

bold departure from

collocation

A significant and courageous change from traditional or previous methods.

Example: The director's new film is a bold departure from his previous romantic comedies.

raise awareness

collocation

To increase people's knowledge or understanding of a particular issue.

Example: The campaign aims to raise awareness about the importance of mental health.

compile a shortlist

collocation

To create a small list of candidates selected from a larger group for final consideration.

Example: The committee will compile a shortlist of three candidates for the position of CEO.

public consultation

technical term

A formal process in which government bodies or organizations seek the opinions of the public on new policies or changes.

Example: The local council is holding a public consultation on the new housing development.

charismatic predators

technical term

Predatory species that have widespread popular appeal and are often used by environmental groups to achieve conservation goals.

Example: Conservation efforts often focus on charismatic predators like lions to gain more funding.

reintroduced

technical term

The deliberate release of a species into the wild, from captivity or other areas, where it was once native but has since disappeared.

Example: Beavers have been successfully reintroduced to several rivers in England.

departure

technical term

A change from what is usual or expected; a deviation from a previous style or tradition.

Example: The director's new film is a major departure from his previous romantic comedies.

representation

technical term

The inclusion of different types of people, groups, or species in a way that is fair and gives them a voice or presence.

Example: The charity is calling for better representation of minority groups in advertising.

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