Bank of England picks four animals for a banknote series redesigned against forgery

For a business that counts cash, the Bank has now committed to one thing: a full replacement series built around security. The Bank said the change was primarily to stop counterfeiting, so every image on its notes needed replacing over time ^[4]. Victoria Cleland, the chief cashier, said: "We have chosen four distinct and inspiring animals that not only showcase the great variety of wildlife we have in the UK but will also enhance the security of our banknotes." ^[5] Phillips described the next stage in the same terms. "We'll now work to design, test and produce the banknotes, combining the imagery we've announced today with cutting-edge security features and materials science," he said ^[7].

The loudest objection has been to the subject matter. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch called the move "a silly thing to do" ^[12], and Reform UK leader Nigel Farage called it "absolutely crackers" ^[13]. The counterfeiting case explains why every image has to change. It does not, on its own, explain the wildlife. That came from a consultation that settled on wild animals as the theme before the public chose from 18 options in three categories ^[15].

The Bank is also presenting the vote as evidence about cash. Cleland said: "I am delighted that nearly half-a-million people responded to our wildlife imagery consultation, showing that cash still matters." ^[16] Respondents cast more than five votes each on average ^[22]. The buff-tailed bumblebee drew 360,399 votes ^[18], equal to about 75 per cent of the people who took part ^[21].

One design statement bears directly on staff who sort notes at speed. The puffin made the four as the most popular marine animal, though the red fox and the common kingfisher drew more nominations ^[10]. The Bank said its inclusion made the denominations easier to distinguish ^[11]. Phillips said the Bank had to make sure the notes were high-quality, resilient and accessible ^[8].

The reports do not say what the security features will be, when the Churchill, Austen, Turner and Turing notes now in circulation ^[20] stop being issued, or how much notice businesses will get. In my view that makes this a budget line for a later year. The Guardian reported that the notes are expected to take several years to design ^[17]. The sequence Phillips described also means the security specification will reach cash handlers late, because the designs are to be unveiled only as launch approaches ^[6].