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
Meet Jennie – Lib Dem MP Steve Darling's guide dog who's changing the face of politics
jennie the guide dog and mp steve darling
Politics

Meet Jennie – Lib Dem MP Steve Darling's guide dog who's changing the face of politics

DWP benefit and pension payment dates for August 2024 – plus universal credit and PIP changes
money
Department for Work and Pensions

DWP benefit and pension payment dates for August 2024 – plus universal credit and PIP changes

'Shameful stuff': Labour suspends seven rebel MPs who voted to end two-child benefit cap
keir starmer
Two-child benefit cap

'Shameful stuff': Labour suspends seven rebel MPs who voted to end two-child benefit cap

DWP should prioritise supporting benefit claimants over sanctions, most people say
jobcentre plus/ dwp
Department for Work and Pensions

DWP should prioritise supporting benefit claimants over sanctions, most people say

Liz Kendall wants to reform the DWP from a 'department for welfare' to a 'department for work'
Liz Kendall DWP
Department for Work and Pensions

Liz Kendall wants to reform the DWP from a 'department for welfare' to a 'department for work'

PIP changes: Labour government urged to drop 'dangerous' disability benefit reforms
dwp offices
Department for Work and Pensions

PIP changes: Labour government urged to drop 'dangerous' disability benefit reforms

Free and cheap things to do with the kids over the 2024 summer holidays
Cost of living

Free and cheap things to do with the kids over the 2024 summer holidays

Labour 'considering' scrapping two-child benefit cap
phillipson and starmer at school
Child poverty

Labour 'considering' scrapping two-child benefit cap

DWP Jobcentre security guards 'suffer' and turn to food banks as wages fail to cover basics
dwp jobcentre security guards on the picket line
Department for Work and Pensions

DWP Jobcentre security guards 'suffer' and turn to food banks as wages fail to cover basics

Summer holiday childcare costs surge to more than £1,000 per child: 'Stressed out to the max'
child drawing
Childcare

Summer holiday childcare costs surge to more than £1,000 per child: 'Stressed out to the max'

Scrap two-child benefit cap to end child poverty, Labour told: 'Good intentions are not enough'
Starmer and Phillipson at a school
Child poverty

Scrap two-child benefit cap to end child poverty, Labour told: 'Good intentions are not enough'

More than two thirds of teachers worry children will go hungry this summer: 'Beyond heart-breaking'
child pulling hair of another child who is eating
Child poverty

More than two thirds of teachers worry children will go hungry this summer: 'Beyond heart-breaking'