They warned free school meals would hurt school budgets. Something much more interesting happened
They warned free school meals would hurt school budgets. Something much more interesting happened
When Sadiq Khan expanded free school meals in London, there were fears schools could miss out on millions. But as plans for a national rollout approach, something different happened
I used to like working in advertising – but now there’s a new world order
I used to like working in advertising – but now there’s a new world order
Top Stories
Disabled people could face benefit cuts – even if they cannot work, Citizens Advice warns
Disabled people could face benefit cuts – even if they cannot work, Citizens Advice warns
‘I’m happy to pay for uni, but I’ll never clear my debt’: Graduates hit out at student loans crisis
‘I’m happy to pay for uni, but I’ll never clear my debt’: Graduates hit out at student loans crisis
Letters: Every homeless person wants a better life
Letters: Every homeless person wants a better life
I’m turning 80. My birthday wish? Take the Big Issue when you buy
I’m turning 80. My birthday wish? Take the Big Issue when you buy
Thousands raised to pay for popular Big Issue vendor’s funeral: ‘We are better for knowing Paul’
Thousands raised to pay for popular Big Issue vendor’s funeral: ‘We are better for knowing Paul’
Advice
How to survive the cold weather when you’re struggling to pay your bills
How to survive the cold weather when you’re struggling to pay your bills
‘Don’t fight your body’: 8 essential tips on how to start running in 2026
‘Don’t fight your body’: 8 essential tips on how to start running in 2026
Energy bills are rising in January. What do I do if I can’t afford to pay?
Energy bills are rising in January. What do I do if I can’t afford to pay?
Meet our vendors
Stuart Drucker, Roath Market (Saturdays) and Riverside Market (Sundays), Cardiff
Stuart Drucker, Roath Market (Saturdays) and Riverside Market (Sundays), Cardiff
Deda Gheorge, Market Square, Richmond, North Yorkshire
Deda Gheorge, Market Square, Richmond, North Yorkshire
Vendor news
I’m turning 80. My birthday wish? Take the Big Issue when you buy
I’m turning 80. My birthday wish? Take the Big Issue when you buy
Thousands raised to pay for popular Big Issue vendor’s funeral: ‘We are better for knowing Paul’
Thousands raised to pay for popular Big Issue vendor’s funeral: ‘We are better for knowing Paul’
Opinion
I used to like working in advertising – but now there’s a new world order
I used to like working in advertising – but now there’s a new world order
I’m turning 80. My birthday wish? Take the Big Issue when you buy
I’m turning 80. My birthday wish? Take the Big Issue when you buy
More and more women are being released from prison into homelessness. It’s an ongoing cruelty
More and more women are being released from prison into homelessness. It’s an ongoing cruelty
Time on your hands can cause stress – but I’m learning to lean into it
Time on your hands can cause stress – but I’m learning to lean into it
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
H is for Hawk author Helen Macdonald: ‘I felt like a ghost watching the film of myself’
H is for Hawk author Helen Macdonald: ‘I felt like a ghost watching the film of myself’
Writing H is for Hawk helped process loss and brought unexpected success, but they still dearly miss their biggest inspiration
Olivier-winning theatre maker Jamie Eastlake: ‘Northern voices need to be heard’
Olivier-winning theatre maker Jamie Eastlake: ‘Northern voices need to be heard’
New video game Fable allows players to live out their evil landlord fantasies
New video game Fable allows players to live out their evil landlord fantasies
Letter To My Younger Self
H is for Hawk author Helen Macdonald: ‘I felt like a ghost watching the film of myself’
H is for Hawk author Helen Macdonald: ‘I felt like a ghost watching the film of myself’
Sleaford Mods singer Jason Williamson: ‘I would definitely tell myself not to take Class A drugs’
Sleaford Mods singer Jason Williamson: ‘I would definitely tell myself not to take Class A drugs’
Gladiators star Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, aka Nitro: ‘Not even Usain Bolt had done what I’ve done’
Gladiators star Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, aka Nitro: ‘Not even Usain Bolt had done what I’ve done’
Nicola Sturgeon: ‘Scotland will definitely be independent much sooner than it feels right now’
Nicola Sturgeon: ‘Scotland will definitely be independent much sooner than it feels right now’
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
Letters: Every homeless person wants a better life
Letters: Every homeless person wants a better life
Millions of Brits are going without food and heating to improve their credit score
Millions of Brits are going without food and heating to improve their credit score
Letters: Grok isn’t the problem. Men are the problem
Letters: Grok isn’t the problem. Men are the problem
I was born intersex but it was kept secret from me my whole life. I still live with the trauma
I was born intersex but it was kept secret from me my whole life. I still live with the trauma
Inside The Big Issue
Big Issue Invest appoints ex-CEO of Standard Bank as new Chair
