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
James O'Brien on being adopted and why he hasn't met his birth mum: 'So much of life is luck'
james o'brien
Adoption

James O'Brien on being adopted and why he hasn't met his birth mum: 'So much of life is luck'

How Ballet Shoes became a timeless story about the power of choosing your family
ballet shoes cast
Theatre

How Ballet Shoes became a timeless story about the power of choosing your family

Disability benefits such as PIP are actually good for the economy, economists say
Disability benefits

Disability benefits such as PIP are actually good for the economy, economists say

DWP's benefit fraud crackdown blasted as 'one of the biggest assaults on welfare in a generation'
keir starmer
Department for Work and Pensions

DWP's benefit fraud crackdown blasted as 'one of the biggest assaults on welfare in a generation'

DWP benefit payment dates in February 2025 – and how much benefits will go up this year
picture of money next to a clock representing dwp benefit payment dates
Benefits

DWP benefit payment dates in February 2025 – and how much benefits will go up this year

Meet the people helping homeless women get vital smear tests: 'You've got to hear their voices'
support worker comforting a woman
Women's health

Meet the people helping homeless women get vital smear tests: 'You've got to hear their voices'

Disability benefits cuts would be 'devastating' and 'increase absolute poverty', Labour warned
Keir Starmer at a lectern in front of UK flags
Disability benefits

Disability benefits cuts would be 'devastating' and 'increase absolute poverty', Labour warned

How to get school uniforms on a budget in 2025
school uniform illustration
School uniforms

How to get school uniforms on a budget in 2025

Can people actually self-diagnose with mental illness and claim disability benefits?
Tony Blair
Benefits

Can people actually self-diagnose with mental illness and claim disability benefits?

'Rushed implementation' of AI in DWP benefits system could 'harm' people, experts fear
Prime Minister Keir Starmer visits University College London East as part of the AI Opportunities Action Plan.
Department for Work and Pensions

'Rushed implementation' of AI in DWP benefits system could 'harm' people, experts fear

Retailers warn there's 'little hope of prices going anywhere but up' – while they make huge profits
woman shopping
Cost of living crisis

Retailers warn there's 'little hope of prices going anywhere but up' – while they make huge profits

'I didn't see a future': Trans veteran forced to hide true self for decades under armed forces 'gay ban'
caroline paige, transgender fighter pilot
LGBTQ+ veterans

'I didn't see a future': Trans veteran forced to hide true self for decades under armed forces 'gay ban'