The change will affect banknotes in the value of 5, 10, 20 and 50 pounds, but the new banknotes will not be put into circulation for a few years at the earliest, reports the BBC.
“The main reason for introducing a new series of banknotes is always to strengthen resistance to counterfeiting, but it also represents an opportunity to celebrate different aspects of Great Britain,” said Bank of England Chief Treasurer Victoria Cleland.
Before deciding that animals will appear on the new series of banknotes, the bank conducted a survey in which 44,000 respondents participated. 60 percent of respondents expressed a positive view of nature on banknotes. Historical personalities ended up in third place with 38 percent, while architecture and monuments took second place with 56 percent. Art, culture and sport were supported by 30 percent of respondents, inventions by 23 percent and important milestones by 19 percent.
The shortlist of animals that could appear on the banknotes will be determined by a panel of experts made up of filmmakers and nature show presenters Gordon Buchanan, Miranda Krestovnikoff and Nadeem Perera, Katy Bell from the charity Ulster Wildlife and academics Steve Ormerod and Dawn Scott.
The only personality that will remain on British banknotes is the reigning British monarch. His likeness has appeared on banknotes since 1960. Historical figures appeared on banknotes ten years later, the first being William Shakespeare. The selection of personalities then changed with each series. Currently, they include former Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill, writer Jane Austen, painter William Turner and founder of modern computer science Alan Turing.
Animals for the bank may be a safer choice, as the choice of personalities has often been accompanied by controversy. The strongest was the one in 2013, when the new series of banknotes featured none other than the reigning Queen Elizabeth II. no woman. At the same time, the fact that a person from any of the many British ethnic minorities has never appeared on the banknotes was also often discussed publicly with the last rounds of selections.
Banknotes with animals are already in circulation in Britain, but they are banknotes issued by the Royal Bank of Scotland. Mackerel, otters, squirrels and eagles can be seen on them.
