Black and Minority Ethnic (BAME) figures are reportedly set to appear on British coins and notes for the first time ever following campaigns for currency to be more inclusive.
According to Treasury Minister John Glen, who spoke to the Sunday Telegraph, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak is believed to be considering this move after campaigners issued proposals.
Mr Glen told the paper that Mr Sunak was “keen to support the timely proposal”.
He continued: “The Chancellor is aware of this. We are obviously supportive and keen to be positive about it, we need to see some firm proposals from the Royal Mint but we are keen for this to happen”.
The reports come after the Backnotes of Colour campaign lead by Zehra Zaidi – former Conservative Party parliamentary candidate – which has been fighting for wider representation as no non-white person has ever featured on a British coin or note.
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Speaking to BBC News, Ms Zaidi stated that: “Who we have on our legal tender – our notes and our coins – builds into a narrative of who we think we are as a nation,”
“People from all backgrounds helped build Britain.”
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She continued: “We must tell the story of inclusive representation as it matters for cohesion and it matters in the narrative of who we are as a nation.”
BAME figures such as Walter Tull – the British Army’s first black officer – have been featured on commemorative coins in the past, but “commemorative coins are not the same as legal tender because legal tender acts as a passport, an ambassador,” says Ms Zaidi.
Rishi Sunak has reportedly asked the Royal Mint to come up with new designs honouring BAME figures.
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Among the figures believed to be currently under consideration for a feature on coins and banknotes include British-Jamaican Crimean War nurse Mary Seacole, Noor Inayat Khan – who was a World War II agent and one of only four women to have received the George Cross – and also the first Indian and Gurkha soldiers.
Mr Sunak has previously expressed support for the anti-racist cause – highlighted by the Black Lives Matter protests – and supported calls for a widespread change in attitudes in race.
He stated that: “As a British Asian of course I know that racism exists in this country, and I know people are angry and frustrated.”
“They want to see, and feel, change.”
News
Police appeal to find next of kin after man found outside Palace Theatre
Daisy Jackson
Police are trying to track down the family of a man who died after being found unresponsive outside the Palace Theatre in Manchester.
The man, who has now been named as Jonathan Bernard Carroll, was seen outside the city centre theatre at around 6.30am on Tuesday 12 November.
Emergency services rushed to the scene and Mr Carroll was taken to hospital.
Tragically, the 47-year-old passed away a short time later.
A large cordon was in place on Whitworth Street and Oxford Road while police and security attended the incident.
Greater Manchester Police are now appealing to find his next of kin.
It’s believed that he resided in the Salford area of Greater Manchester.
Anyone with any information should contact the Coroner’s Office on 0161 856 1376.
Greater Manchester public urged to help get people ‘off the streets and on their feet’ before Christmas
Emily Sergeant
Locals are being urged to help get hundreds of people “off the streets and back on their feet” this festive season.
As the temperatures told colder by the day, and Christmas creeps closer and closer, Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity is bringing back ‘1000 Beds for Christmas’, and the massively-important initiative is aiming to provide 1,000 nights of accommodation to people at risk of homelessness before the big day arrives.
Forming part of the ongoing ‘A Bed Every Night’ scheme, this festive fundraising mission is designed to provide food, shelter, warmth, and dedicated vital wrap-around support for those who need it most.
The charity says it wants to build on the “incredible success of 2023”, which raised more than £55,000 and provided 1,800 nights of accommodation.
Stockport-based property finance specialists, Together – which has supported the campaign for the last two years – has, once again, generously pledged to match every public donation for the first £20,000 raised.
Unfamiliar with the ‘A Bed Every Night’ scheme? Since 2017, when rough sleeping peaked, the initiative has helped ensure a significantly-higher rate of reduction in the numbers of people facing a night on streets in Greater Manchester than seen nationally.
The landmark scheme has given people the chance to rebuild their lives, while also giving them access to key services and opportunities that allows them to stay off the streets for good.
Despite the scheme’s recent success, organisations across Greater Manchester are under “a huge amount of pressure” to meet the demand for their services this winter, and given the current economic outlook, household budgets will continue to be squeezed – leaving people on the sharp end of inequality and poverty.
Emily Sergeant -
27th July 2020 
