The current polymer notes, first issued on 5 June 2024, bears the image of King Charles III on the obverse.

It replaced the cotton paper note featuring a portrait of economist Adam Smith, first issued in 2007.

These notes were multicoloured (predominantly mauve-purple) and featured an image of scientist Michael Faraday on the back.

It features a portrait of Scottish economist Adam Smith on the back as well as an illustration of workers in a pin factory.

[5] In September 2015 the Bank of England announced that the next £20 note would be printed on polymer, rather than cotton paper.

[6] This was followed by an announcement in April 2016 that Adam Smith would be replaced by artist J. M. W. Turner on the next £20 note, which entered circulation on 20 February 2020.