Overview
- The Bank of England opened a public consultation on June 2 that asks people to choose from an 18‑species shortlist for the £5, £10, £20 and £50 notes and will accept votes until 11:59pm on July 3, 2026.
- The shortlist, compiled with wildlife experts, is split into three groups — mammals, birds, and amphibians/insects/fish — and includes species such as the red fox, Atlantic puffin, basking shark and common frog.
- The public may select up to two animals in each category but only the 18 preselected species are eligible and Governor Andrew Bailey retains the final decision and may override popular rankings to ensure each denomination is visually distinct and hard to counterfeit.
- The proposal has drawn sustained political criticism and public debate, with polls showing many want Winston Churchill to remain on the £5 note even as advocates and some charities praise the chance to spotlight native wildlife.
- The Bank says the consultation outcome will be announced by the end of 2026 and that it will take several more years of design, testing and printing before any new notes enter circulation while the monarch’s portrait will stay on the obverse.