Do you squirrel them away or just throw them on the floor? Brits reveal what they REALLY do with their 1p and 2p coins

Shoppers have unveiled what they really do with pennies often lost between the cushions of their sofa or in the depths of their washing machines.

We have always been told if you 'save the pennies, the pounds will look after themselves' - but now our coppers are at risk of being scrapped altogether.

It has emerged on Tuesday that the Treasury had no plans for any more 1p or 2p coins to be minted in the coming years.

The controversial move comes as a government spokesperson said they are 'confident' there is enough small change in circulation without the need to order more.

While some Brits have reacted with howls of dismay, others have revealed they never use cash and even leave pennies scattered across the floor.

Lynn Bell, 55, from Newcastle won't be missing her coppers any time soon as she dropped the bombshell that she throws hers in the bin dubbing them a 'filthy' and a 'waste of time'.

'I use cash every day, I don't use cards I never keep one or two pence coins,' the carer said.

'Every time I get them I put them in the street or leave them for someone else in the shopping centre.

'They are a waste of time. They are filthy. I don't know anyone who keeps them. I received a copper coin today with my shopping but I binned it.'

Gary Bentham, 41, a regional sales and operational manager said: 'I don't use cash anymore. I use my card or Apple Pay on my phone.

'You can use card everywhere so I very rarely use cash. It's more convenient than going to a cash point and getting money out.

He added: 'If you get a tenner out to spend a couple of quid you waste the rest of it.

'My daughter takes most of the coins we have and puts them in a jar. She's like a little Magpie that will collect them up and use them for what she wants.

'I can't remember the last time I used or received one. It's been that long, probably pre-pandemic.

'The pandemic is when more people started going cashless. I don't have any cash on me. I may have a pound coin but nothing else.'

Colin Stephenson, 70, a pensioner who used to work in marine navigation, said he didn't like pennies because they weigh his 'wallet down' 

'I put my coins straight in the donation box,' he quipped.

I use cash most of the time I take cash out to buy food but I don't like anything under 20p, simply because of the weight and the coins get in the way.

'I received a penny yesterday but put it straight in the box.'

Musician, Ryan Bird, 30, said: 'I use card or electronic payment more than cash. If it's a small business I will use cash as they get more money from the transaction.

'I got a coin back a week ago. I was at a festival and I got some back as change. It's interesting that they are not minting the coins anymore.'

However others hailing from Newcastle are adamant they use cash in their every day life, and would miss the small change, with one taxi driver still insisting 'cash is king'. 

Jawad Ali, 31, proudly showed off one penny and a two pence piece, adding: 'I use cash on a daily basis.'

'If I have coins on me, I'll use them. I keep them in the ash tray in my taxi but it's mainly loose change.'

The taxi driver added: 'I used coins yesterday. I was putting fuel in the car and went over the amount I intended to pay so I have them the coins.

'Sometimes people will have loose change and will pay you with it. I get it quite often as a taxi driver.

'Like they say, cash is king in any form.'

Children's entertainer Sarah Cave, 27, compared her purse stacked to the brim with copper coins to a 'brick'.

'I have loads of them but I don't use them and because of it my purse weighs a tonne,' she said.

'Mine just sit in my purse. If I get change I put it in the bottom of my bag and never use them.

'That cash has been in my purse for years. I got a new one and I haven't changed my bags over because I'll have to sort the coins out.

'I paid for a costume today with cash and got a penny back and shoved it back in my bag.'

'I don't use cash often. It's a generational thing, my grandparents will give me £20 to treat myself.'

Down south in Bournemouth, Happyland Amusements - an arcade with dozens of machines which only take 2p coins - a manager worries about their future in a cashless society.

David Francis, who has owned the arcade for three decades, said the change would be 'much harder' for people in his generation. 

'We are just used to using cash but I know we are moving towards a cashless society,' he confessed

He also voiced his worries about having to raise prices in his beach side shop if pennies are less widely used. 

He added: 'I know it is only one penny, but it adds up and makes a big difference to some people.

'People will buy things if they see it costs £19.99 but as soon as I put it up to twenty quid they won't touch them.'

Marketing manager Lucie Ray-Barrett, 46, from Solihull, West Midlands, was playing in the arcade with her children.

She said: 'It is much easier to teach my children about money if I can give them cash and say that's all they are getting for the day.

'We do use a card for most things but it is nice to come down to play in the arcade and have an afternoon of fun for only a few pounds.'

Teacher Nick Vine, 61, who was playing on a coin pusher with his daughter, admitted he could understand why there was less demand for copper coins.

He said: 'We all know that pennies are worthless really especially when you get one penny change.

'We come and use the arcade machines a lot as Kimberley loves them. We can spend £5 or £10 and have a fun afternoon.

'As much as I use a card for most things these days, I can see why there is a less of a use for pennies and other coins.'

MailOnline took to the streets of London to ask shoppers how they felt about coppers become a thing of the past.

Two ladies who move between the UK and Australia admitted to throwing away their pennies when they arrived down under.

Another young duo confessed they don't even carry cash around with them, with the young man adding: 'It doesn't bother me.  

'You don't really have anything that comes up to 1p or 2p. Say if somethings £1.99 you wouldn't really keep a 1p around and be like okay I'll save that.'

One man dubbed the decision to scrap the coins a 'good' one as pennies were 'heavy to carry'.

'I would actually not carry them - I would keep at home and use the higher denomination coin, like £1 or £2 coins or 20p onwards,' he said.

'I have some that I have in my room that I don't even see and don't even look at.' 

Although many young people were not bothered by the demise of pennies, some were concerned about the 'stress' of digital currency.

'Society changes that is life but that said digital currency is a bit stressful sometimes.' the woman told MailOnline.

'Like when we had the [Crowdstrike IT] outage the other day it does raise the thought what would happen if we don't have cash.' 

Another youngster described having a boatload of pennies in your purse as a 'tradition' branding the decision to stop minting them 'a liberty'.

Her friend chimed in: 'I am quite reliant on cash - I can't lie because I like to know how much money I have.

'Also when things aren't a whole pound I like to get rid of them I like them.'

Despite the wails of sadness from other Brits in the UK, one grandfather said he was indifferent about the end of copper coins.

'I really don't care we don't ever seem to tender them for the purchase of anything. Our grandchildren don't really want them they want silver or a different colour,' he told MailOnline.

'I don't think I will miss them but when they are gone maybe I will change my mind.'