B1252 words2:06News Report British AccentPublished Mar 22, 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 set of banknotes.

Animals will be featured on the five, ten, twenty, and fifty pound notes.

This change in currency design means that famous historical figures will no longer appear on the money.

Some politicians have expressed unhappiness about removing figures like Winston Churchill and Jane Austen.

However, public consultations have shown that most people actually support the switch to wildlife.

The Bank regularly changes the images on banknotes because this helps to prevent counterfeiting.

A panel of experts, which includes wildlife broadcasters and academics, will create a shortlist of animals.

The public will then vote on the final selection criteria later this summer.

Early favourites include the hedgehog, the robin, and the barn owl, which are all well-loved British animals.

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Tony Juniper, the chair of Natural England, has suggested featuring species that have been brought back from extinction.

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These include the white-tailed eagle and the large blue butterfly.

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Meanwhile, the animal charity RSPCA has called for less popular animals to be represented on the new banknotes.

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The charity mentioned the feral pigeon, the fox, and the brown rat as possible candidates.

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In Scotland, banknotes issued by the Royal Bank of Scotland already feature wildlife.

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These notes show mackerel, otters, red squirrels, and osprey.

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The red fox has been nominated by the wildlife presenter Chris Packham for the five pound note.

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Packham has described foxes as bold and successful animals that deserve a place on British currency.

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