UK £5 Note to Replace Churchill With Wildlife in New Design

The Bank of England has announced that future banknote series will feature images of British wildlife rather than historical figures, marking a significant shift in the design of the country’s currency. As part of the change, the portrait of former prime minister Winston Churchill currently displayed on the £5 note will be removed in future issues.

The decision follows a public consultation held in 2025 in which around 44,000 responses were submitted. According to the central bank, nature emerged as the most popular theme among respondents, prompting the move toward wildlife-focused designs. The Bank of England plans to run a second consultation later this year to gather public views on which specific animals, birds or natural elements should appear on the notes.

The move has sparked political debate in the UK. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage criticised the change, describing it as an example of “wokery.” However, Emma Soames, the granddaughter of Winston Churchill and a journalist, said she welcomed the redesign and dismissed Farage’s criticism during an interview with BBC Newsnight.

Officials at the Bank of England also highlighted practical reasons behind the decision. Chief cashier Victoria Cleland noted that nature-themed imagery can help improve anti-counterfeiting features while allowing the currency to showcase the United Kingdom’s rich biodiversity.