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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
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'

Disability benefit reforms and universal credit rise: All the DWP benefit changes to expect in 2025
DWP secretary Liz Kendall on the left and Keir Starmer on the right chatting with pensioners
Department for Work and Pensions

Disability benefit reforms and universal credit rise: All the DWP benefit changes to expect in 2025

Emmerdale star talks taking on a father's agony in missing person story: 'I hope it makes people think'
Mark Charnock, who plays Marlon Dingle, in Emmerdale. Image: ITV
Emmerdale

Emmerdale star talks taking on a father's agony in missing person story: 'I hope it makes people think'

'I have patients in pain waiting years': Healthcare workers 'cautious' about Labour's NHS plans
nhs workers protesting
NHS

'I have patients in pain waiting years': Healthcare workers 'cautious' about Labour's NHS plans

Energy bills expected to rise again in April – and it could be 'soul destroying' for struggling families
person sat on bed in dark room worrying
Energy bills

Energy bills expected to rise again in April – and it could be 'soul destroying' for struggling families