SUPPORT US
Buy A Kit
Isabella McRae
Isabella McRae is associate editor at the Big Issue, where she specialises in coverage of the poverty and welfare system. She has interviewed prime ministers Andy Burnham and Sir Keir Starmer, written impactful series on the special education system, abortion rights and homelessness, led Big Issue takeovers by people with a learning disability, young people and people with Alzheimer's, as well as conducted many high-profile celebrity interviews. Isabella was awarded Best News Story at the Anti-Slavery Day Awards in 2025, was 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. She also has an MA in Magazine Journalism at City, University of London. Get in touch with Isabella through isabella.mcrae@bigissue.com
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

The Traitors' Ash Bibi on fleeing a violent home for a women's refuge at 16: 'There's always hope'
Ash Bibi
Domestic violence

The Traitors' Ash Bibi on fleeing a violent home for a women's refuge at 16: 'There's always hope'

My Master Builder review – it's the women who shine in Ewan McGregor's West End return
Kate Fleetwood and Ewan McGregor in My Master Builder.
Theatre

My Master Builder review – it's the women who shine in Ewan McGregor's West End return

Food banks receiving 'rotten' donations from supermarkets 'not fit for human consumption'
food banks
Food banks

Food banks receiving 'rotten' donations from supermarkets 'not fit for human consumption'

Save tens of billions in public money by ending hunger – not slashing benefits, government told
Rachel Reeves
Hunger

Save tens of billions in public money by ending hunger – not slashing benefits, government told

DWP payment dates in May 2025: When you will get your benefits this month
UK money
Department for Work and Pensions

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

Mum-of-two shares experience of 'dehumanising' DWP benefits system: 'It could kill somebody'
Image of Naomi Lihou
Benefits

Mum-of-two shares experience of 'dehumanising' DWP benefits system: 'It could kill somebody'

UK's 'cruel' benefits system is 'ruining lives' and 'violating human rights', Amnesty report finds
keir starmer walking
Benefits

UK's 'cruel' benefits system is 'ruining lives' and 'violating human rights', Amnesty report finds