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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
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

'What gave them the right?': Fury after doctors refused to resuscitate disabled man during pandemic
nigel
Disability rights

'What gave them the right?': Fury after doctors refused to resuscitate disabled man during pandemic

'It's an invasion of privacy': Single mum left 'mortified' after DWP scrutinises her bank account
leonie berman
Universal credit

'It's an invasion of privacy': Single mum left 'mortified' after DWP scrutinises her bank account