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
Jobcentre work coach driven to suicide attempt by 'bullying' culture at DWP: 'I felt worthless'
jobcentre
Department for Work and Pensions

Jobcentre work coach driven to suicide attempt by 'bullying' culture at DWP: 'I felt worthless'

It's a cost of loving crisis: Why young people are getting into thousands in debt looking for love
love and money
Life

It's a cost of loving crisis: Why young people are getting into thousands in debt looking for love

Where to get help as cost of living payments come to an end
cost of living help for households
Cost of living crisis

Where to get help as cost of living payments come to an end

Beats Bus: How a Hull group is using hip-hop to fight poverty and protect young people from gangs
beats bus
Community activism

Beats Bus: How a Hull group is using hip-hop to fight poverty and protect young people from gangs

Children forced to sleep on floors as parents skip meals due to cost of living – something has to give
children
Child poverty

Children forced to sleep on floors as parents skip meals due to cost of living – something has to give

Cost of living crisis sees more and more children seeking mental health help: 'I feel like a burden'
children
Mental health

Cost of living crisis sees more and more children seeking mental health help: 'I feel like a burden'

Tens of thousands call on DWP to reinstate 'lifeline' cost of living payment for disabled people
thomas howard campaigning for the disability cost of living payment
Disabilities

Tens of thousands call on DWP to reinstate 'lifeline' cost of living payment for disabled people

'We're punished for being different': Black girls excluded from school at double rate of white pupils
black girl
Education

'We're punished for being different': Black girls excluded from school at double rate of white pupils

UK is 'failing' children as death rates rise, poverty surges and health declines at 'alarming' rate
teddy
Child poverty

UK is 'failing' children as death rates rise, poverty surges and health declines at 'alarming' rate

Tories unveil plan to make UK 'most accessible place in the world' – but does it go far enough?
disability
Disabilities

Tories unveil plan to make UK 'most accessible place in the world' – but does it go far enough?

'It's a lifeline': MPs urge government to help families in crisis and continue household support fund
coffey
Household Support Fund

'It's a lifeline': MPs urge government to help families in crisis and continue household support fund

Household support fund's end would be 'devastating', charities say: 'We're planning for the worst'
jeremy hunt
Department for Work and Pensions

Household support fund's end would be 'devastating', charities say: 'We're planning for the worst'