The Bank of England has announced its intention to swap out famous figures on banknotes with animals, as selected by the public. Notable personalities like Sir Winston Churchill on the £5 note, Jane Austen on the £10 note, JMW Turner on the £20 note, and Alan Turing on the £50 note will be replaced with wildlife indigenous to the UK. The potential options include a dolphin, fox, butterfly, owl, bumblebee, and shark.
In the upcoming series of banknotes, these chosen animals will be featured alongside the monarch, maintaining the tradition. The public has been invited to participate in a consultation process to select up to two animals from each of the three categories representing various species and habitats. The consultation period will run until July 3, with the final decision resting with Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey, who will consider public feedback.
Residents of the UK and British citizens abroad are encouraged to share their opinions through the Bank’s website or by mail. The Bank aims to reveal the outcome of the consultation by the end of 2026. Victoria Cleland, the Bank of England’s chief cashier, expressed her hope that the public will actively engage in selecting the animals to be featured on the upcoming banknotes, showcasing the diverse wildlife in the UK.
Since 1970, historical figures have graced Bank of England banknotes, with the current series starting circulation in 2016 featuring Sir Winston Churchill on the £5 note. Despite the growing popularity of payment technologies like contactless and mobile wallets, cash remains a preferred method for about one in seven individuals. The circulation of cash has risen steadily, reaching £91.5 billion by the end of February 2026.