Former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill will no longer be featured on English banknotes as the Bank of England shifts to feature wildlife in his place.
Current banknotes feature either King Charles III or the late Queen Elizabeth II. The £5 also features Churchill, the £10 Jane Austen, the £20 JMW Turner, and the £50 Alan Turing.
Following a “public consultation,” the banknotes will now feature wildlife native to the United Kingdom.
“For more than 50 years, the Bank has proudly showcased many inspirational historical figures who have helped shape national thought, innovation, leadership and values on its banknotes. The change to wildlife imagery, supported by the public consultation and feedback, provides an opportunity to celebrate another important aspect of the UK,” the Bank of England said in a statement.
A second consultation will occur this summer.
Victoria Cleland, the Chief Cashier at the Bank of England, said she was “delighted by the level of public engagement during our banknote theme consultation last year.”
“The response underlines how important banknotes remain to people. The key driver for introducing a new banknote series is always to increase counterfeit resilience, but it also provides an opportunity to celebrate different aspects of the UK,” Cleland stated. “Nature is a great choice from a banknote authentication perspective and means we can showcase the UK’s rich and varied wildlife on the next series of banknotes. I look forward to hearing about the public’s favourite wildlife during our forthcoming summer consultation.”
Other options for the banknote included architecture and landmarks; historical figures; arts, culture and sport; innovation; and noteworthy milestones.
The Bank of England noted that it “will be a few years before the next generation of banknotes, which will incorporate the latest anti-counterfeiting technology, are issued.”
