Rishi Sunak calls for Mahatma Gandhi, non-white icons on UK coins

Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s workplace confirmed on Sunday that Mahatma Gandhi’s picture on a coin is being thought-about as a part of efforts to have fun achievements of non-white people reminiscent of Indian-origin British spy Noor Inayat Khan and Jamaican British nurse Mary Seacole.

Sunak has written to the Royal Mint Advisory Committee that recommends themes and designs of coins, supporting a marketing campaign referred to as ‘We Too Built Britain’, which seeks illustration of non-white icons on British forex.

The concept of getting Gandhi on a British coin was beforehand introduced by former chancellor Sajid Javid in October 2019.

In a letter to Zehra Zahidi, who has led the marketing campaign, Sunak stated: “Black, Asian and other ethnic minority communities have made a profound contribution to the shared history of the United Kingdom”.

“For generations, ethnic minority groups have fought and died for this country we have built together; taught our children, nursed the sick, cared for the elderly; and through their enterprising spirit have started some of our most exciting and dynamic businesses, creating jobs and driving growth”.

“I am writing today to the Chair of the Royal Mint Advisory Committee (RMAC), Lord Waldegrave…asking the RMAC Sub-Committee on Themes to consider recognising this very great contribution on our nation’s coinage,” he wrote.

The chancellor’s workplace confirmed that the RMAC is presently contemplating a coin to commemorate Gandhi, including that Sunak is eager that British coins commemorate the work of the earlier generations who’ve served the UK and nations that kind the Commonwealth.

Campaigners beforehand sought Noor Inayat Khan’s picture on a brand new £50 be aware, however the Bank of England introduced that the brand new sequence to enter circulation in 2021 could have the picture of laptop pioneer and code-breaker Alan Turing.