The Bank of England has launched a public consultation for its new banknote design. The Bank of England has announced that it will begin a public consultation to hear the public’s thoughts on themes that will be used on the design of the next generation of banknotes. Since Shakespeare first appeared on banknotes in 1970, British banknotes have been centered around historical figures. The public consultation is being held to find opportunities to represent Britain in a more diverse way to keep up with the times.
The Bank of England has proposed six candidate themes: historical figures, buildings and landmarks, arts and culture and sport, historical events, innovation, and nature. The public can choose from these, and can also propose new themes. Victoria Cleland, chief cashier of the Bank of England, emphasized that banknotes are more than just a means of payment; they are a symbol of national identity and a way to celebrate Britain.
The new series of banknotes will continue to feature portraits of the monarchs, regardless of the theme chosen. Because banknote design is a complex process that requires advanced technology and security, it is likely to take several years before the banknotes are actually put into circulation. After the theme is decided, we plan to receive specific image suggestions from the public. The final design will be officially announced later.
The consultation will run until 11.59pm on 31 July 2025 and is open to UK residents and overseas citizens. You can submit your views via the online form on the Bank of England website or by post. For reference, the current banknotes are the £5 note in 2016, the £10 note in 2017, the £20 note in 2020 and the £50 note in 2021. The current banknotes feature Winston Churchill, Jane Austen, JMW Turner and Alan Turing.
