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
Designer and activist Katharine Hamnett on fast fashion, the planet and photobombing Thatcher
katherine hamnett
Second hand September

Designer and activist Katharine Hamnett on fast fashion, the planet and photobombing Thatcher

Women in North of England live shorter lives, more likely to be in poverty and work harder for less
women in north
The North

Women in North of England live shorter lives, more likely to be in poverty and work harder for less

DWP says there's 'more learning to do' as every MP given book on deaths of disabled benefit claimants
The Department - book about the failings of the DWP by John Pring
Department for Work and Pensions

DWP says there's 'more learning to do' as every MP given book on deaths of disabled benefit claimants

'This will only intensify': Millions of pensioners at risk of serious illness due to UK heatwaves
older man in heatwave temperatures
Heatwave

'This will only intensify': Millions of pensioners at risk of serious illness due to UK heatwaves

I have worn second hand clothes my whole life. I don’t know why anyone would shop new
lesley wearing her second hand finds
Second hand September

I have worn second hand clothes my whole life. I don’t know why anyone would shop new

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

Win 2 exclusive screen prints from the iconic film Trainspotting!

Celebrating the film’s 30th anniversary in Big Issue – enter your details for the chance to win.