Isabella McRae
Isabella McRae is a senior reporter at The Big Issue. She reports on a wide range of issues across social affairs and culture. Isabella was awarded Best News Story at the Anti-Slavery Day Awards in 2025. She was also a winner of the PPA Next Gen Awards in 2023, formerly known as the 30 under 30, and was shortlisted for journalist of the year in the Scope Disability Awards 2024. Get in touch with Isabella through isabella.mcrae@bigissue.com
Criminals to be stopped from smuggling puppies: 'Thousands are taken from their mothers far too young'
pip and squeak, smuggled puppies
Animal welfare

Criminals to be stopped from smuggling puppies: 'Thousands are taken from their mothers far too young'

Is the cost of living crisis over and will prices in the UK ever come down?
Cost of living crisis

Is the cost of living crisis over and will prices in the UK ever come down?

Scottish minister remains 'concerned' Labour's child poverty strategy will lack impact
Scottish social justice minister Shirley-Anne Somerville on the day she announced Scotland would mitigate the two-child limit.
Child poverty

Scottish minister remains 'concerned' Labour's child poverty strategy will lack impact

'I spent my burial fund on repairs': Pensioners in poverty pushed to breaking point by unexpected bills
Pension poverty

'I spent my burial fund on repairs': Pensioners in poverty pushed to breaking point by unexpected bills

Britain's obesity crisis is driven by poverty and bad food. But are weight-loss jabs really the answer?
A person stepping onto weighing scales
Health

Britain's obesity crisis is driven by poverty and bad food. But are weight-loss jabs really the answer?

BBC Radio 1's Matt Edmonson: 'I'm no Martin Lewis, but I've always been quite frugal'
Money

BBC Radio 1's Matt Edmonson: 'I'm no Martin Lewis, but I've always been quite frugal'

Keir Starmer promises to 'put an end to unsafe housing' in exclusive article for Big Issue
Prime minister Keir Starmer.
Housing

Keir Starmer promises to 'put an end to unsafe housing' in exclusive article for Big Issue

Universal credit sanctions more 'severe' and 'damaging' than criminal fines, report finds
Jobcentre Plus
Universal credit

Universal credit sanctions more 'severe' and 'damaging' than criminal fines, report finds

Rachel Reeves looks set to raise taxes in the autumn budget. What does it mean for you?
Rachel Reeves speaking at an early briefing on the autumn budget on 4 November
Autumn budget

Rachel Reeves looks set to raise taxes in the autumn budget. What does it mean for you?

Thousands of pensioners evicted from care homes and put at risk of homelessness: 'It's so cruel'
pensioners sat together
Care homes

Thousands of pensioners evicted from care homes and put at risk of homelessness: 'It's so cruel'

Employers are being urged to step up and help disabled people stay in work. But is it enough?
Pedestrians walking through London
Work

Employers are being urged to step up and help disabled people stay in work. But is it enough?

This metal song perfectly sums up the anger felt by disabled people towards the benefits system
pupil slicer members
Music

This metal song perfectly sums up the anger felt by disabled people towards the benefits system