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
'A national scandal': Nearly 5,000 deaths caused by cold and damp homes last winter
cold and damp
Housing

'A national scandal': Nearly 5,000 deaths caused by cold and damp homes last winter

DWP falsely accuses single mum of owing £12,000 – when they actually owe her money
penny davis/ dwp
Benefits

DWP falsely accuses single mum of owing £12,000 – when they actually owe her money

Young man made homeless aged 11 after fleeing abusive home tells UK government to 'wake up' and help
young people homeless
Youth homelessness

Young man made homeless aged 11 after fleeing abusive home tells UK government to 'wake up' and help

DWP could deny benefits to hundreds of thousands of disabled and ill people under new plans
DWP
Disability benefits

DWP could deny benefits to hundreds of thousands of disabled and ill people under new plans

How UK's two-child benefit cap is trapping kids in poverty and pushing families to 'breaking point'
child
Child poverty

How UK's two-child benefit cap is trapping kids in poverty and pushing families to 'breaking point'

Here's when people will get the cold weather payment as temperatures drop below freezing
cold weather payment/ snow picture
Cost of living crisis

Here's when people will get the cold weather payment as temperatures drop below freezing

Rishi Sunak claims he's going to cut taxes by tightening benefits. Here's why it'll backfire badly
rishi sunak
Benefits

Rishi Sunak claims he's going to cut taxes by tightening benefits. Here's why it'll backfire badly

Anger as energy firms allowed to resume force-fitting prepayment meters: 'Cruel and dangerous'
elderly man
Energy bills

Anger as energy firms allowed to resume force-fitting prepayment meters: 'Cruel and dangerous'

Tories accused of playing Big Brother with bill giving DWP powers to 'snoop' on bank accounts
spying
Department for Work and Pensions

Tories accused of playing Big Brother with bill giving DWP powers to 'snoop' on bank accounts

No excuse for shoplifting due to 'generous' UK benefits system, minister says. Here's the reality
shoplifting
Cost of living crisis

No excuse for shoplifting due to 'generous' UK benefits system, minister says. Here's the reality

Average UK household faces £17,200 of debt by 2026: 'We can't afford a Tory government any longer'
debt worries
Cost of living crisis

Average UK household faces £17,200 of debt by 2026: 'We can't afford a Tory government any longer'

DWP benefits payment dates to expect in January 2024 – with changes over the New Year
Benefits

DWP benefits payment dates to expect in January 2024 – with changes over the New Year