Isabella McRae
Isabella McRae is a senior reporter and feature writer 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
'This is a very difficult decision': MPs vote to take forward assisted dying bill after emotional debate
kim leadbeater
Assisted dying

'This is a very difficult decision': MPs vote to take forward assisted dying bill after emotional debate

Meet the tireless volunteers making sure children in poverty have a Christmas to remember
Christmas toy appeals

Meet the tireless volunteers making sure children in poverty have a Christmas to remember

Benefit claimants need enough money to buy food if Labour wants to 'get Britain working again'
dwp's liz kendall
Benefits

Benefit claimants need enough money to buy food if Labour wants to 'get Britain working again'

Here's how to donate to a food bank near you this winter
a man sorts food donations into crates at a food bank
Food banks

Here's how to donate to a food bank near you this winter

Labour warned against 'scare tactics' after revealing Jobcentres reform plan to 'get Britain working'
keir starmer
Department for Work and Pensions

Labour warned against 'scare tactics' after revealing Jobcentres reform plan to 'get Britain working'

Keir Starmer's pledge on benefits 'deepens stigma' and leads to 'fear and shame'
keir starmer
Benefits

Keir Starmer's pledge on benefits 'deepens stigma' and leads to 'fear and shame'

These children are going blind – so their parents gave them memories to last a lifetime
kids
Film

These children are going blind – so their parents gave them memories to last a lifetime

Laura Mvula: 'I don't know if I'd be a singer without my family'
Laura Mvula recording her rendition of Paul Simon's 'I Know What I Know' for John Lewis. Image: John Lewis
Music

Laura Mvula: 'I don't know if I'd be a singer without my family'

Ghosts star Charlotte Ritchie: 'It's a tragedy people can't afford their essentials'
Charlotte Ritchie at Trussell food bank
Food banks

Ghosts star Charlotte Ritchie: 'It's a tragedy people can't afford their essentials'

'This cannot go on': Hundreds of thousands of people turning to food banks for the first time
food bank
Food banks

'This cannot go on': Hundreds of thousands of people turning to food banks for the first time

'It can't stay like this': Meet the North East families fighting child poverty by themselves
Mwenza Bell and one of her children
Big Community

'It can't stay like this': Meet the North East families fighting child poverty by themselves

Big Issue recognised for 'punchy, buccaneering swagger' at prestigious journalism awards
paul mcnamee
Big Issue Success

Big Issue recognised for 'punchy, buccaneering swagger' at prestigious journalism awards