Over 100,000 say no to benefit cuts

Scope launched our Cost of Cuts campaign in February 2025. Because we were deeply concerned about government plans to rip billions from the welfare budget. Quite simply, these cuts would be catastrophic for disabled people. We are not alone in feeling this. Since launching the campaign, 101,025 people joined us in signing our petition. To tell the Government to stop these cuts. That’s more people than would fit in Wembley Stadium. We’re a powerful movement of disabled people, carers, allies and activists. We're uniting to say one thing: the cost of cuts would be catastrophic.

On Monday 16 June, we took this message straight to 10 Downing Street, where we delivered our petition. We want to make it impossible for the Government to ignore us.

We delivered this 100,000 strong petition together with disabled storytellers Layla, Myles and Rachel. We are also delivering a clear message to Government. Cutting benefits will plunge hundreds of thousands into poverty. It will have a devastating effect on disabled people’s health, ability to live independently or work. The government must listen to disabled people and change course.

Storyteller Myles shared why he helped deliver this petition:

For me, attending the hand-in at Downing Street is personal. Like so many others, I’ve had to fight through a system that often feels designed to wear you down rather than lift you up. The constant explaining, the reapplying, the feeling that you have to prove your worth just to live with dignity. Being part of this hand-in is a reminder that our voices matter. We surely don’t want to see some of this country’s most vulnerable suffer, do we? I’m going because I want decision-makers to see that these aren’t just numbers or policies on a spreadsheet. These proposed cuts WILL affect real people, every single day. If I can help make even a small difference for others, then it’s worth showing up to hand over such a meaningful petition.

We are not stopping there. MPs will soon vote on the Welfare Bill, and whether the Government should cut disability benefits. This is a vital opportunity to get your MP to vote against devastating benefit cuts in Parliament, before it’s too late. Take action now and keep the pressure up to say no to disability benefits cuts.