Banknote Diversity Bill

A Bill to require the Bank of England to meet standards for the representation of ethnic minority persons on banknotes; and for connected purposes.

Originating House

House of Commons

Sponsor

Helen GrantConservative

Parliament last updated

3 April 2019

In Plain English

AI-generated

May contain errors — check source documents for definitive information.

The Banknote Diversity Bill would require the Bank of England to meet standards for representing ethnic minority people on banknotes and to specify related purposes. It aims to ensure banknotes reflect Britain’s ethnic diversity in their portraits and design.

Key Points

Requires the Bank of England to meet standards for representing ethnic minority people on banknotes.
Covers future banknotes and connected purposes related to representation.
Originated in the House of Commons and is currently at the 2nd reading; sponsored by Helen Grant.
Relates to the design and perception of banknotes used by the public.

Progress

The bill is currently at the 2nd reading in the House of Commons. If it progresses, it would move to committee for detailed consideration, then on to the Lords for scrutiny.

Who is affected?

Ethnic minority communities in the UKBank of England and staff involved in banknote designConsumers who use banknotes and care about representation on currency

Generated 21 February 2026

Bill Stages

1st readingCommons

2 Apr 2019

2nd readingCommons

Committee stageCommons

Report stageCommons

3rd readingCommons

1st readingLords

2nd readingLords

Committee stageLords

Report stageLords

3rd readingLords

Royal Assent

Updates & Documents

News (1)

News - Banknote Diversity

1 Jan 1970

The Bill failed to complete its passage through Parliament before the end of the session. This means the Bill will make no further progress.

Parliamentary Votes (0)

No recorded votes for this bill yet.