The Bank of England has unveiled the four animals that will grace the redesigned UK banknotes in the coming years. The Atlantic puffin, barn owl, buff-tailed bumblebee, and European hedgehog emerged as the winners from a public vote, though the specific denominations each will appear on have not yet been decided.
The buff-tailed bumblebee received the most votes with 360,399, followed by the barn owl and European hedgehog. The Atlantic puffin was included to celebrate marine life and the British coastline, despite receiving fewer nominations than the red fox and common kingfisher. The Bank emphasized that the new designs aim to enhance security and showcase the UK's wildlife diversity.
Victoria Cleland, the Bank's chief cashier, described the chosen animals as 'four distinct and inspiring animals' that reflect the variety of UK wildlife. The redesign process, which includes testing and printing, could take years. The Bank noted that this is the first time since 1970 that historical figures will not appear on the reverse side of the notes, a decision that has sparked controversy among some politicians.
Critics such as Nigel Farage and Sir Ed Davey expressed disapproval, particularly over the removal of Sir Winston Churchill from the banknotes. The Bank defended the change, stating it is necessary to update images and improve security features over time.