Proposal to replace Churchill with otter on £5 note sparks debate

Plans reportedly being explored by the Bank of England to replace Winston Churchill on the £5 note with an otter have sparked debate among historians, wildlife supporters and members of the public.

According to early proposals circulating among campaigners and design commentators, the new note could feature the Eurasian otter as a symbol of Britain’s recovering wildlife and natural environment.

Supporters of the idea argue that including a native species would highlight conservation successes across the UK, where otter populations have rebounded in many rivers after decades of decline.

One wildlife campaigner said: “Otters are one of the UK’s great conservation success stories. Featuring them on a banknote would celebrate the country’s natural heritage in the same way historic figures celebrate its past.”

Churchill has appeared on the £5 note since 2016, when the polymer version of the banknote was introduced. The wartime prime minister is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in modern British history, leading the UK during the Second World War.

However, advocates of the otter design say currency imagery does not need to be limited to historical figures. Instead, they argue that national wildlife could represent the country’s landscapes and environmental priorities.

Critics of the proposal say removing Churchill from the note would be controversial, with some historians suggesting the wartime leader remains one of the most recognisable symbols of British resilience.

The Bank of England periodically reviews banknote designs and themes, though no formal decision has been announced on any change to the current £5 note.

If the proposal were ever adopted, designers say the otter artwork could include river scenes or underwater imagery to reflect the animal’s natural habitat, creating one of the most visually distinctive UK banknotes yet.