Isabella McRae
Isabella McRae is a senior reporter at The Big Issue specialising in social justice. She reports on a wide range of issues including poverty and inequality, the benefits system, disability rights, housing, health, immigration, gender equality and much more. Isabella was a winner of the PPA Next Gen Awards in 2023, formerly known as the 30 under 30. She was shortlisted for journalist of the year in the Scope Disability Awards 2024. Get in touch with Isabella through isabella.mcrae@bigissue.com
Patients are dying and facing 'horrible tragedies' due to Manchester's mental health care crisis, staff say
NHS workers in Manchester strike
Mental health

Patients are dying and facing 'horrible tragedies' due to Manchester's mental health care crisis, staff say

DWP warned benefit claimants are dying of starvation
Work and pensions secretary Liz Kendall speaking in parliament
Department for Work and Pensions

DWP warned benefit claimants are dying of starvation

DWP payment dates in June 2025: When you will get your benefits this month
A DWP Jobcentre
Department for Work and Pensions

DWP payment dates in June 2025: When you will get your benefits this month

33 places where kids can eat for free or £1 over the half term
kids eat free/ easter holidays
Cost of living crisis

33 places where kids can eat for free or £1 over the half term

Disabled protesters say they'll stop Labour's benefit cuts – or die trying: 'I will fight my heart out'
Protesters in Cardiff outside their local MP's office with a sign saying 'welfare not warfare'
Disability benefits

Disabled protesters say they'll stop Labour's benefit cuts – or die trying: 'I will fight my heart out'

Deaf President Now! and the greatest civil rights movement you've probably never heard of
Tim Rarus, Bridgetta Bourne-Firl, Greg Hlibok and Jerry Covell as part of the Deaf President Now protest.
Film

Deaf President Now! and the greatest civil rights movement you've probably never heard of

Sam Thompson on his mammoth 260-mile challenge for Soccer Aid: 'I've got to do something'
Sam Thompson joined children aged nine to 12 to play football at a UNICEF-supported football programme supporting children in Solola, Guatemala.
Charity

Sam Thompson on his mammoth 260-mile challenge for Soccer Aid: 'I've got to do something'

Disability benefit cuts 'impossible to support', Starmer told by his own MPs: 'Cuts create poverty'
Keir Starmer
Disability benefits

Disability benefit cuts 'impossible to support', Starmer told by his own MPs: 'Cuts create poverty'

Would reversing winter fuel payment cuts be enough to restore trust in Labour?
Winter fuel payment

Would reversing winter fuel payment cuts be enough to restore trust in Labour?

Disability benefit cuts could be as 'politically toxic' as winter fuel payment, Labour warned
Liz Kendall
Disability benefits

Disability benefit cuts could be as 'politically toxic' as winter fuel payment, Labour warned

UK risks 'sleepwalking into crisis' as cashless society shuts out more and more vulnerable people
A sign reading 'CARD ONLY'
Money

UK risks 'sleepwalking into crisis' as cashless society shuts out more and more vulnerable people

Women in the North miss out on £158m in wages every week compared to rest of England
Manchester
Women

Women in the North miss out on £158m in wages every week compared to rest of England

Support our vendors with a subscription

For each subscription to the magazine, we’ll provide a vendor with a reusable water bottle, making it easier for them to access cold water on hot days.