Mass Lobby Against Benefit Cuts – Key Information

Get ready for the Mass Lobby of MPs against benefit cuts on 21st May 2025. This page links key resources you’ll need to take part. 

All information on this page can be found in the lobby research pack here

For any further questions please contact:

Megan Thomas at [email protected]; 07990425823

or

Georgia Bondy at [email protected]

Registering to come

For all of the informaton about contacting your MP, registering to come and travel funding; click here.

Preparing to come

What can I bring?

Security restrictions apply to items you can bring, including bans on political or offensive slogans on clothing—DPAC badges have been questioned before. Posters and banners are likely not allowed. For full details, visit: https://www.parliament.uk/visiting/access/security/

Please note, no chanting is allowed inside Westminster Hall to avoid the risk of removal and missed meetings with MPs.

How do I prepare what to say?

We will have leaflets on the day that outline key talking points. The text from the leaflets can be found here along with more detailed briefings if you’d like to read in more detail.

Getting to Westminster – Transport and Accessibility

More information on getting to Westminster including transport and accessibility is available here.

Where should I go and when should I get there?

Please arrive at the Cromwell Green entrance of the Houses of Parliment and look our for our stewards if you need help.

The lobby will take place in Westminster Hall from 1–4pm, with organisers on site from 12pm to set up and support attendees. Entry to Parliament involves airport-style security, so please allow at least 30 minutes to get through. Meetings will usually happen in Westminster Hall or your MP’s office. If unsure, ask the stewards or Palace of Westminster staff for help.

You can book support to get through security. For more information on this, please go to this website: https://www.parliament.uk/visiting/access/disabled-access/getting-in/ 

What to do when you get through security

If you MP hasn’t confirmed a meeting

Yes! If you have not got a pre-arranged meeting, do not worry, you will not be alone and we are encouraging all disabled people to come anyway.

If you don’t have a meeting arranged, you can “green card” your MP. This means filling out a green card request form at the Cromwell Green entrance to ask for a meeting. While a meeting isn’t guaranteed, you may still speak to a member of their team or receive a statement. It also shows your MP that this issue matters to their constituents. The majority of attendees will be green-carding, and we will have people on hand to show you what to do.

While you wait for you MP

Practice your talking points while you wait for you MP to arrive

  • We will be providing an informative leaflet on the day, you will be able to find it at the registration desks.
  • Key points can also be found here along with more detailed briefings.
  • Think about ways the cuts would affect you personally to share with them.

Guidance for Meeting Your MP 

The most powerful thing for your MP to hear will be how these cuts would impact you and other disabled people. When these proposals are not up for consultation, this is their opportunity to hear directly from their constituents. Your direct experiences are what they need to hear. 

Here are a few other tips for meeting your MP: 

  1. Thank them for meeting with you 
  2. Find out how much time they have to meet; some will be able to talk for longer than others, depending on their schedule and the number of constituents they have to talk to 
  3. Ensure they have heard the key message – do not vote for these cuts
  4. Try to think of one or two actions you can ask them to do. This action may depend on who they are, e.g. are they a Labour backbencher who you can ask to vote against the bill, are they an ally who may be willing to ask a question to Kier Starmer or Liz Kendall, or call a debate. If you don’t know what to ask them, feel free, and we can help you. 
  5. Give them a copy of the briefing leaflet
  6. Try and get a photo with them, this is useful for sharing and showing the support we have received 

How to Respond to Hostile Questions

This information sheet, provided by Inclusion London, gives examples of hostile questions or arguments that MPs and media have been using when Disabled people speak to them about the Green Paper cuts, and suggests evidence-based ways to respond to them. Read more.

Further Links and Useful Information 

Inclusion London, Briefing: Changes to disability-related social security and work: https://www.inclusionlondon.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/MP-briefing-on-disability-benefits-cuts-and-work.pdf 

DPO Forum England, Benefits Green Paper Explained: https://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/news/dpo-forum-england-benefits-green-paper-explained 

Disability Rights UK, Submission to the Work and Pensions Committee: https://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/news/green-paper-consultation-%E2%80%9Csham%E2%80%9D-dr-uk-submission-work-and-pensions-committee