Reader-supported journalism that doesn’t just report problems, it helps solve them.
support today
The pigs of Orwell’s Animal Farm led the revolution. Eighty years on, the UK’s pigs are in trouble

The pigs of Orwell’s Animal Farm led the revolution. Eighty years on, the UK’s pigs are in trouble
As Animal Farm turns 80, we’ve taken the temperature of British pig farming, and found an industry in decline
Refugees living in the UK are terrified. Please stand with us in solidarity

Refugees living in the UK are terrified. Please stand with us in solidarity
We need to stop turning on migrants and understand where the real power and blame lies

We need to stop turning on migrants and understand where the real power and blame lies
Top Stories
Why did so many women in a tiny Hungarian village poison their husbands?
Why did so many women in a tiny Hungarian village poison their husbands?
Travelling for work shouldn’t be a postcode lottery – but our transport system makes it one
Travelling for work shouldn’t be a postcode lottery – but our transport system makes it one
Oasis are still connecting and still making history after all these years. Where were you?

Oasis are still connecting and still making history after all these years. Where were you?
From legendary rock to the raves of tomorrow: This is the ultimate guide to 2025’s best music festivals

From legendary rock to the raves of tomorrow: This is the ultimate guide to 2025’s best music festivals
Advice
How can I help homeless people during a UK heatwave?

How can I help homeless people during a UK heatwave?
Cost of living payments: Where to get help in 2025 now the scheme is over

Cost of living payments: Where to get help in 2025 now the scheme is over
24 discounted days out for families on universal credit and other benefits this summer holiday

24 discounted days out for families on universal credit and other benefits this summer holiday
33 places where kids can eat for free or £1 over the summer holidays

33 places where kids can eat for free or £1 over the summer holidays
Meet our vendors
Martin McKenzie, Waitrose, Bressenden Place, Victoria, London

Martin McKenzie, Waitrose, Bressenden Place, Victoria, London
Vendor news
Disabled Big Issue vendor Jason has fought 21 years for an accessible home. There are millions like him

Disabled Big Issue vendor Jason has fought 21 years for an accessible home. There are millions like him
Tributes paid to much-loved Big Issue vendor after tragic death: ‘He would always help everybody’

Tributes paid to much-loved Big Issue vendor after tragic death: ‘He would always help everybody’
Letters: Why are people ready to hand our NHS to Farage and his millionaires?

Letters: Why are people ready to hand our NHS to Farage and his millionaires?
Opinion
Refugees living in the UK are terrified. Please stand with us in solidarity

Refugees living in the UK are terrified. Please stand with us in solidarity
I reached out to a food bank after losing everything – it changed my life forever

I reached out to a food bank after losing everything – it changed my life forever
We need to stop turning on migrants and understand where the real power and blame lies

We need to stop turning on migrants and understand where the real power and blame lies
Travelling for work shouldn’t be a postcode lottery – but our transport system makes it one

Travelling for work shouldn’t be a postcode lottery – but our transport system makes it one
Newsletters
Sign up to Survival Guide: The Big Issue’s cost of living newsletter with human stories at the heart

Sign up to Survival Guide: The Big Issue’s cost of living newsletter with human stories at the heart
Sign up to our free Inside the Big Issue newsletter

Sign up to our free Inside the Big Issue newsletter
Culture
Leona Lewis: ‘I would tell young Leona, I see your pain and I feel you – but you’ll be OK’

Leona Lewis: ‘I would tell young Leona, I see your pain and I feel you – but you’ll be OK’
The singer had her heart broken by her first love at age 16, but her parents gave her the blueprint for her own couple goals
Top 5 historical novels, chosen by best-selling author Lana Kortchik

Top 5 historical novels, chosen by best-selling author Lana Kortchik
Opera performers are using Palestinian flags to make a stand. And why shouldn’t they?

Opera performers are using Palestinian flags to make a stand. And why shouldn’t they?
Letter To My Younger Self
Leona Lewis: ‘I would tell young Leona, I see your pain and I feel you – but you’ll be OK’

Leona Lewis: ‘I would tell young Leona, I see your pain and I feel you – but you’ll be OK’
The One Show’s Alex Jones: ‘I always wanted to be a mother. To have a child is a complete gift’

The One Show’s Alex Jones: ‘I always wanted to be a mother. To have a child is a complete gift’
Mark Gatiss: ‘All my childhood dreams came true. There’s nothing left except James Bond’

Mark Gatiss: ‘All my childhood dreams came true. There’s nothing left except James Bond’
Eric Idle: ‘George Harrison mortgaged his house so Monty Python could make Life of Brian’

Eric Idle: ‘George Harrison mortgaged his house so Monty Python could make Life of Brian’
Most popular
‘Explain to me why I’m homeless’: Rough sleeper’s rage tells us a lot about what’s keeping people homeless

‘Explain to me why I’m homeless’: Rough sleeper’s rage tells us a lot about what’s keeping people homeless
‘Frustrated, angry, exhausted’: Food banks forced to ‘throw out food donated by supermarkets’

‘Frustrated, angry, exhausted’: Food banks forced to ‘throw out food donated by supermarkets’
Disabled woman forced to quit job she loves after DWP support slashed: ‘I can’t make it make sense’

Disabled woman forced to quit job she loves after DWP support slashed: ‘I can’t make it make sense’
‘It’s devastating’: UK’s biggest companies locking autistic people out of jobs with personality tests

‘It’s devastating’: UK’s biggest companies locking autistic people out of jobs with personality tests
Life
The pigs of Orwell’s Animal Farm led the revolution. Eighty years on, the UK’s pigs are in trouble

The pigs of Orwell’s Animal Farm led the revolution. Eighty years on, the UK’s pigs are in trouble
Millions of Brits use Buy Now, Pay Later to shop. Will new rules protect people from the dangers?

Millions of Brits use Buy Now, Pay Later to shop. Will new rules protect people from the dangers?
Inside The Big Issue
Inside the Big Issue: Can we find this man a proper place to live?

Inside the Big Issue: Can we find this man a proper place to live?
How I secured funding to grow my social enterprise
