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
Elderly people's lives in danger without winter fuel payment, Labour warned: 'This is a mistake'
uncle nigel
Winter fuel payment

Elderly people's lives in danger without winter fuel payment, Labour warned: 'This is a mistake'

Single mum with disabled children told to pay DWP back £17,000 in benefit overpayments
mum and child
Benefit overpayments

Single mum with disabled children told to pay DWP back £17,000 in benefit overpayments

No update on future of household support fund until autumn budget, DWP minister says
Rachel Reeves
Household support fund

No update on future of household support fund until autumn budget, DWP minister says

Disabled people's health is 'shockingly neglected' in UK, research finds as Paralympics begins
disabled people sport
Disability rights

Disabled people's health is 'shockingly neglected' in UK, research finds as Paralympics begins

'My heart burns': Three years after fall of Kabul, Afghan women share stories of escape and hope
young afghan women Maryam and Saghar
Afghanistan

'My heart burns': Three years after fall of Kabul, Afghan women share stories of escape and hope

Keir Starmer defends scrapping winter fuel payment for pensioners not on benefits
keir starmer
Winter fuel payment

Keir Starmer defends scrapping winter fuel payment for pensioners not on benefits

How to get pension credit and ensure you get the winter fuel payment in 2024
Elderly couple happy
Pensions

How to get pension credit and ensure you get the winter fuel payment in 2024

Millions of Brits unable to afford winter energy bills as price cap rises by £149: 'Disastrous'
hob on flame
Energy bills

Millions of Brits unable to afford winter energy bills as price cap rises by £149: 'Disastrous'

Nearly one million more people will be unpaid carers by 2035, report finds
elderly couple walking together
Social care

Nearly one million more people will be unpaid carers by 2035, report finds

Nearly 18 million people will be left without crisis support if DWP fund ends
households
Household support fund

Nearly 18 million people will be left without crisis support if DWP fund ends

'This war broke our life': Children left stranded in Ukraine without parents due to UK visa changes
Ulyana Travola alongside her husband and children, who are still in Ukraine
Ukraine war

'This war broke our life': Children left stranded in Ukraine without parents due to UK visa changes

DWP will end 'blame culture' over benefits, says Liz Kendall – but words must be 'backed up'
Liz Kendall DWP
Benefits

DWP will end 'blame culture' over benefits, says Liz Kendall – but words must be 'backed up'