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 is shortlisted for journalist of the year in the Scope Disability Awards 2024.
Here's when pensioners will get the winter fuel payment in 2023
pensioner
Benefits

Here's when pensioners will get the winter fuel payment in 2023

Cost of living: Man says he eats less and feels like a 'failure' due to benefits not covering essentials
mental health
Cost of living crisis

Cost of living: Man says he eats less and feels like a 'failure' due to benefits not covering essentials

Millions of Brits considering suicide due to cost of living crisis, report finds
Many universal credit claimants are struggling to cope. Image: Pexels
Cost of living crisis

Millions of Brits considering suicide due to cost of living crisis, report finds

Young woman says she 'unravelled' when cost of living meant she couldn't keep herself clean
Tryphine/ Hygiene poverty
Cost of living crisis

Young woman says she 'unravelled' when cost of living meant she couldn't keep herself clean

From prison to cakes: The bakery changing the lives of London's most disadvantaged women
montey/ luminary bakery
Barriers to work

From prison to cakes: The bakery changing the lives of London's most disadvantaged women

Where to find free toiletries, period products and nappies in the UK
free toiletries
Cost of living crisis

Where to find free toiletries, period products and nappies in the UK

Child poverty in the UK: Latest figures as more plunged into destitution amid cost of living crisis
Image of child eating/ child poverty uk
Child poverty

Child poverty in the UK: Latest figures as more plunged into destitution amid cost of living crisis

One million UK children experienced 'horrifying levels of destitution' last year, study finds
teddy destitution
Child poverty

One million UK children experienced 'horrifying levels of destitution' last year, study finds

Adoptees share the 'extreme emotional challenge' of meeting birth parents decades after adoption
adoption/ Vivianne Grant
Adoption

Adoptees share the 'extreme emotional challenge' of meeting birth parents decades after adoption

Disabled people 'risk losing right to take part in society' with social care 'on its knees'
social care/ disabled people
Social care

Disabled people 'risk losing right to take part in society' with social care 'on its knees'

I have a fear of walking. DWP put me through hell waiting for a disability benefits tribunal
Sarah Smithers
Disability benefits

I have a fear of walking. DWP put me through hell waiting for a disability benefits tribunal

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cost of living newsletter graphic
Cost of living crisis

Sign up to Survival Guide: The Big Issue newsletter exploring human stories at the heart of the cost of living crisis