Petition

Prevent the removal of historic British figures from Bank of England banknotes.

Rejected 15 signatures

What the petition asks

We call on the Government and the Chancellor to intervene and ensure the Bank of England maintains historic figures, specifically Sir Winston Churchill, on our banknotes. The Treasury should direct the Bank to preserve our national heritage alongside any new wildlife themes on currency.
Banknotes are more than currency; they are a daily celebration of the figures who built our nation. Removing icons like Winston Churchill in favor of wildlife themes risks erasing our history from public life. While nature is important, it should not replace the leaders and innovators who define Britain. We believe the Government has a duty to protect our national heritage and ensure that our money continues to reflect the people and values that shaped our freedom and identity.

Why it was rejected

It asked for something that is not the responsibility of the UK Government or Parliament.

Banknotes are the responsibility of the Bank of England, which is independent of the Government and Parliament.

You can find out how the Bank decides who will be on banknotes here:
https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/banknotes/banknote-characters

Timeline

13 Mar 2026 Petition opened for signatures
30 Mar 2026 Rejected by the Petitions Committee

Key facts

Signatures 15
Status Rejected
Rejected 30 Mar 2026

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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Aug 2026.