Exhibit 23.1

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form F-3
of our reports dated 7th March 2008 and 10th March 2008 respectively, for:

1. Barclays PLC relating to the financial statements and the effectiveness of internal control
over financial reporting; and

2. Barclays Bank PLC relating to the financial statements

which appear in the combined Annual Report on Form 20-F for Barclays PLC and Barclays Bank
PLC for the year ended December 31, 2007. We also consent to the reference to us under the
heading “Experts” in such Registration Statements.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
London, England
25 June 2008