The Bank of England Governor today announced that he has decided to depict Jane Austen on our £10 notes and that the Bank will review the decision making process for who receives this honour in the future too.Emma wrote (alongside other Labour MPs) to the Governor to call on him to ensure that women remain on our currency. This campaign was spearheaded by the Women’s Room Project. Their aim is to give women a collective campaigning voice and to bring a more equal gender balance to the media.

Welcoming the decision Emma said; “So many women have made a contribution across all spheres of public life, I am therefore delighted that the Bank is playing its role in celebrating the contribution of women to our country by recognising their achievements.”

“I campaigned for social justice campaigner Mary McArthur, made famous by the Cradley Heath Women Chainmakers strike, to appear on the new £10 note. Although this suggestion proved unsuccessful I am still glad to see that Jane Austen will be honoured in this way.”

“I was delighted to be part of the campaign to keep women on our banknotes.”

July 2013