Tuesday sees the launch of the Bank of England’s new £5 note, initially available at a handful of cashpoints in major cities.
The new note is made of polymer and will be much more durable – and hygienic – than the old paper version. It will also include safety features designed to prevent fraud and reduce the number of fake notes in circulation.
Bank of England governor Mark Carney commented, “The use of polymer means it can better withstand being repeatedly folded into wallets or scrunched up inside pockets, and can also survive a spin in the washing machine.”
The notes are expected to be rolled out to banks nationally within a week, but will be dispensed from cash machines in London, Manchester, Leeds, Cardiff and several other major cities from today.
The new fiver will feature ex-Prime Minister Winston Churchill, a total of 440 million of which have been printed. After a long campaign to place a woman on a British note, a new polymer £10 note featuring Jane Austen is set to be released this time next year.
13/09/2016