Bank of England banknotes to feature hedgehogs, puffins, owls and bees

The Bank of England has announced that barn owls, buff-tailed bumblebees, puffins and hedgehogs will replace historical figures on the next generation of British banknotes.

The four species will feature as the central image on future £5, £10, £20, and £50 notes. It marks the first time since 1970 that the reverse side of the Bank's notes will not feature prominent historical figures.

Currently, the banknotes feature former Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill, author Jane Austen, artist JMW Turner, and mathematician Alan Turing. King Charles III will remain on the front of all the notes.

While the Bank has decided which animals will appear, it has not yet decided which species will go on which denomination.

How the public voted

The selection follows a public consultation that drew more than 2.5 million votes from 478,531 people, ranging from school children to wildlife enthusiasts.

A panel of experts drew up a shortlist of 18 species, split into three categories. The buff-tailed bumblebee was the outright favourite, securing 360,399 votes. The barn owl won the bird division, while the European hedgehog topped the mammal category.

The Atlantic puffin was selected to represent marine and coastal life and to bring variety, despite receiving fewer nominations than the red fox and the common kingfisher.

Victoria Cleland, the Bank's chief cashier, said the selected animals would "enhance the security of our banknotes" while showcasing the UK's biodiversity.

Political backlash

The decision to drop historical figures, first announced in March, has drawn sharp criticism from political leaders.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch called the move "a silly thing to do" and accused the Bank of "erasing our history". Reform UK leader Nigel Farage described the decision as "absolutely crackers".

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey also criticised the move, releasing a social media video in which he brandished a £5 note and claimed that Churchill was "being replaced by a badger". Badgers were not on the Bank's 18-animal shortlist.

However, Churchill’s granddaughter has said she is happy with his picture being replaced.

The RSPCA also weighed in on the shortlist when it was published in June, complaining that the Bank had chosen only "cute" animals. The charity argued that controversial creatures like gulls, rats, and pigeons would have offered a better opportunity to discuss British wildlife.

When will the new notes appear?

Do not expect to see the new designs in your wallet anytime soon. Rhys Phillips, the Bank’s incoming chief cashier, said the process of designing, testing, and printing the new notes would take years to ensure they are secure and durable.

While this is a first for the Bank of England, wildlife is already a common feature on cash elsewhere in the UK. The Royal Bank of Scotland currently issues notes featuring mackerel, otters, red squirrels, and ospreys.