Hedgehog, Puffin, Barn Owl, and Bee to Feature on New UK Banknotes

The Bank of England has announced that the Atlantic puffin, barn owl, buff-tailed bumblebee, and European hedgehog will be featured on its next series of banknotes, marking a shift from historical figures to wildlife.

The selection followed a public consultation that garnered over 2.5 million votes from nearly half a million people. The buff-tailed bumblebee emerged as the most popular choice with 360,399 votes, while the barn owl topped the bird category and the European hedgehog led in the mammal category. The Atlantic puffin was included to represent marine life and the coastline, adding variety to the designs.

Victoria Cleland, the Bank's chief cashier, stated that these "four distinct and inspiring animals" were chosen not only for their representation of British wildlife but also to enhance banknote security. A panel of wildlife experts initially compiled a shortlist of 18 creatures across various categories, which were then put to public nomination.

This initiative represents a significant change, as it will be the first time since 1970 that the reverse side of Bank of England notes will not feature prominent historical individuals. Current designs include Winston Churchill, Jane Austen, JMW Turner, and Alan Turing. The decision to replace Churchill has drawn criticism from some political figures.

The Bank of England explained that the move is part of an ongoing effort to combat counterfeiting by periodically updating banknote designs. The process of designing, testing, and printing new banknotes is lengthy and can take several years. The specific animal designated for each denomination (£5, £10, £20, or £50) has not yet been determined, and further design elements, potentially including other shortlisted animals, may be incorporated alongside the central images. The monarch will continue to be depicted on the obverse side of the notes.

This move aligns with other recent currency updates, such as the Royal Mint's redesigned 20p and £1 coins, which also feature puffins and bees, respectively. Some Scottish banknotes, issued by the Royal Bank of Scotland, already feature wildlife such as mackerel, otters, red squirrels, and ospreys.