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Plastic £5 banknote unveiled: Polymer note could leave shoppers paying twice Plastic £5 banknote unveiled: Polymer note could leave shoppers paying twice
(35 minutes later)
Britain’s first plastic banknotes may be prone to sticking together, meaning shoppers could be at risk of handing two at once, the Bank of England has admitted.Britain’s first plastic banknotes may be prone to sticking together, meaning shoppers could be at risk of handing two at once, the Bank of England has admitted.
Printed on polymer, the new £5 note has promised to be considerable more durable and last 2.5 times longer than paper money.Printed on polymer, the new £5 note has promised to be considerable more durable and last 2.5 times longer than paper money.
But experts warned freshly made notes could stick to each other because of the polymer-coating, proving irritating for people who can accidently end up paying twice.But experts warned freshly made notes could stick to each other because of the polymer-coating, proving irritating for people who can accidently end up paying twice.
“Brand new polymer notes can sometimes stick together, but this effect is short-lived once in use,” the Bank of England said in an official Q&A on the changes.“Brand new polymer notes can sometimes stick together, but this effect is short-lived once in use,” the Bank of England said in an official Q&A on the changes.
 The final design of the new £5 note, which will feature the face Sir Winston Churchill, will be unveiled this afternoon at Bleinheim Palace, where the leader was born.  The final design of the new £5 note, which will feature the face Sir Winston Churchill, will be unveiled this afternoon at Bleinheim Palace, where the former leader was born.
It will put an end to more than 300 years of paper money. It will put an end to more than 300 years of paper money. 
The move to polymer notes will cost up to £236 million to shops and banks due to the cost of upgrading and replacing self-service machines and ATMss, according to an estimate by consultancy CMS Payment Intelligence.
Plastic bank notes fit in cash machines like paper ones, but they are considerably more durable, cleaner and harder to counterfeit. The polymer bank note is also 15 per cent small than its paper equivalent.Plastic bank notes fit in cash machines like paper ones, but they are considerably more durable, cleaner and harder to counterfeit. The polymer bank note is also 15 per cent small than its paper equivalent.
A standard washing machine cycle or a spilled drink should have a little effect on the new notes, which can be wiped clean and will even survive a laundry cycle with “minimal damage”.A standard washing machine cycle or a spilled drink should have a little effect on the new notes, which can be wiped clean and will even survive a laundry cycle with “minimal damage”.
The longevity of the notes is predicted to save the Bank £100m over the next 10 years, and money fraud is expected to be reduce, as polymer notes are harder to counterfeit.
The Winston Churchill fiver will go into circulation in September, a £10 note will follow a year later, featuring Jane Austen. The Winston Churchill fiver will go into circulation in September, a £10 note will follow a year later, featuring Jane Austen. 
In April, the Bank of England has unveiled the design of a new £20 featuring the artiste JMW Turner and his painting The Fighting Temeraire that will enter into circulation in 2020.In April, the Bank of England has unveiled the design of a new £20 featuring the artiste JMW Turner and his painting The Fighting Temeraire that will enter into circulation in 2020.
The arrival of plastic banknotes means Britain is joining a list of more than 30 countries that already use them.The arrival of plastic banknotes means Britain is joining a list of more than 30 countries that already use them.
Australia was the first to launch plastic notes in 1988, followed by countries including New Zealand and Singapore.Australia was the first to launch plastic notes in 1988, followed by countries including New Zealand and Singapore.
Two million £5 notes made of polymer plastic were released by The Clydesdale Bank, the largest issuer by volume of notes in Scotland, in March.  Two million £5 notes made of polymer plastic were released by the Clydesdale Bank, the largest issuer by volume of notes in Scotland, in March.