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Catherine, over the past few weeks, as everything has been unfolding, I’ve been researching instances when the DWP attempted major changes to benefits in the past. Below, I’ve listed two examples of government U-turns on benefit reforms, and you might be surprised to learn that in both cases, it was not through court action. Instead, it was the sheer strength of outcry and opposition from disability charities, public protests, and individuals lobbying MPs and ministers that made the difference.

Between 2011 and 2013, the government aimed to save £160 million annually by 2014–15 by trying to remove the mobility component of DLA from people living in state-funded care homes, claiming it was a duplication of other funding. But after huge opposition from campaigners, charities like Disability Rights UK, and widespread public concern, the plan was scrapped in 2013.

This issue never went to court, the political pressure, public protests, and media coverage were so intense that the government had to abandon the plan. Yes, the government stood firm, the row rumbled on for over two years, but in the end, they had to cave in after all the pressure.

Then in 2016, the government attempted to cut £30 per week from ESA for those in the WRAG group as part of broader welfare reforms, aiming to save £1.4 billion annually. It triggered national outrage. Charities such as Mencap and Scope led protests, petitions gained tens of thousands of signatures, and growing cross-party opposition put the government under pressure. In the end, they delayed the cut and later abandoned it altogether.

Whether it’s through petitions, protests, writing to MPs, or simply standing by each other, unity truly matters. When people come together, especially in the face of something overwhelming and unjust, everything can begin to shift. The examples above show that real change happens not through privilege or power, but because people cared enough to speak out. We’ve done it before, and with courage and solidarity, we can do it again.