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Bank Notes: Design

Asked by Mike WoodConservativeTreasuryTabled Answered 27 March 2026UIN 121749

The question

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the Bank of England still has a sitting Banknote Character Advisory Committee.

Answered by Lucy Rigby

The Banknote Character Advisory Committee, whose members had a five-year term starting in 2015, advised the Governor of the Bank of England on the choice of field and character for the current £20 and £50 banknotes.

In July 2025 the Bank of England asked the public for their views on what the theme should be for the next series of banknotes. The Bank of England decided the theme for the next series of banknotes based on the feedback from this public consultation and focus groups.

The Bank of England will launch another consultation in summer 2026 to seek the views of the public again on images for the next banknote. Further detail can be found on the Bank of England’s website.

The final decision about what imagery will appear on the next series of banknotes will be made by the Governor.

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