Winston Churchill and Jane Austen will be replaced by the likes of otters and badgers on UK banknotes – in a decision described as ‘total bonkers’ by critics.
The Bank of England said that after five decades of featuring historical figures, the next set of notes would instead be illustrated with animals native to the UK.
It comes after the Bank announced last summer that it was considering changing the theme of the images it used on Britan’s paper money to reflect ‘real diversity’.
A public consultation, which received 44,000 responses, found that ‘nature’ was the top choice ahead of ‘architecture and landmarks’ and ‘notable historical figures’.
The Bank has now appointed a panel of wildlife experts to draw up a shortlist of animals for the public to choose from in a consultation to be launched this summer.
Ditching the use of historical figures has previously been described as ‘wrongheaded wokery’.
It seems calculated to help avoid the controversy whipped up by campaigners about all manner of aspects of Britain’s past.
The new design idea will even steer clear of pitting dog lovers against cat lovers – as household pets will not be included.
Historical figures such as Churchill will not appear on the next series of notes
Victoria Cleland, chief cashier at the Bank of England, said the change ‘provides an opportunity to celebrate different aspects of the UK’ and would ‘showcase the UK’s rich and varied wildlife’.
But Kevin Holinrake, a former business minister, said: ‘Britain’s banknotes should celebrate the people who shaped our country and our history.
‘Replacing legendary figures like Winston Churchill and Jane Austen with animals is total bonkers.
‘Of course we value our wildlife but our national currency should have pride in, and honour, the giants of our past.’
Former business secretary Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg said: ‘It says all you need to know about the lack of seriousness of the Bank.
‘Notes use symbolism to express power and value, twee little furry things do neither.’
Key criteria for deciding on the theme included that it should symbolise the UK and resonate with the public as well as not being ‘divisive’.
The Bank said that wildlife images would also ‘be most effective for developing banknotes with security features that are easy for the public to recognise and distinguish’.
In addition to animals, the new series of notes may also incorporate other elements from nature such as plants and landscapes, to complete the design.
The use of historical figures began in 1970 with William Shakespeare.
UK banknotes currently feature Sir Winston Churchill, Jane Austen, artist JMW Turner and codebreaker Alan Turing.
The Bank has previously run into controversy over banknote designs after campaigners complained that too few women had featured in recent years, prior to Jane Austen appearing in 2017.
History has also proved uncomfortable due to links with slavery. In 2021 the Bank removed from display a series of paintings and busts of governors and directors who had connections to the slave trade in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.