The Bank of England has told the BBC it is reflecting the wishes of the public by substituting Sir Winston Churchill and Jane Austen with British wildlife on its next series of banknotes.
Political leaders have lined up to berate the Bank for the decision. Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said it was "a silly thing to do". Reform's Nigel Farage called it "absolutely crackers".
But the Bank said this was primarily an anti-counterfeiting move, which is why Churchill, like other historical characters, would eventually have to be replaced on banknotes.
Now the RSPCA has stepped into the debate, making the case for pigeons, rats and gulls to be represented on the currency's new designs.
On Wednesday, the Bank of England said that, following public consultation, native British wildlife would be depicted on its next set of £5, £10, £20 and £50 notes.
