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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
'A national scandal': Shocking number of kids living in dangerously mouldy homes, social workers say
cold and damp
Cost of living crisis

'A national scandal': Shocking number of kids living in dangerously mouldy homes, social workers say

Parents can now get 15 hours free childcare for two-year-olds. Here's how
free childcare
Cost of living crisis

Parents can now get 15 hours free childcare for two-year-olds. Here's how

'Time for a new deal': UK's new minimum wage still not enough to cover 'a decent standard of life'
minimum wage/ hospitality
Minimum wage

'Time for a new deal': UK's new minimum wage still not enough to cover 'a decent standard of life'

Millions face paying more in energy bills than height of cost of living crisis. Here's why
energy bills/ worry
Cost of living crisis

Millions face paying more in energy bills than height of cost of living crisis. Here's why

Council tax is going up for millions in April. Here's what to do if you're struggling to pay
council tax/ houses
Cost of living crisis

Council tax is going up for millions in April. Here's what to do if you're struggling to pay

Care worker faced homelessness as low pay left her with 'nothing' to fall back on
social care/ abbie bowler
Social care

Care worker faced homelessness as low pay left her with 'nothing' to fall back on

Unsecured debt such as credit cards and loans at highest level in a decade, charity warns
debt/ credit card
Debt

Unsecured debt such as credit cards and loans at highest level in a decade, charity warns

DWP could be 'fantastic' under Labour, says ex-minister Stephen Timms: 'Don't write the DWP off'
labour/ starmer and reeves
Politics

DWP could be 'fantastic' under Labour, says ex-minister Stephen Timms: 'Don't write the DWP off'

Millions of kids are in poverty and Jeremy Hunt wants a 'carrot and stick' benefits system
jeremy hunt
benefits

Millions of kids are in poverty and Jeremy Hunt wants a 'carrot and stick' benefits system

More than 700,000 children plunged into poverty since Tories came to power: 'We're going backwards'
Child poverty

More than 700,000 children plunged into poverty since Tories came to power: 'We're going backwards'

DWP benefits 'too low' to cover basic living costs, government warned: 'Completely unacceptable'
benefits/ money
Benefits

DWP benefits 'too low' to cover basic living costs, government warned: 'Completely unacceptable'

Debt advice: These charities and organisations can help you if you're struggling with debt
debt advice/ call
Debt

Debt advice: These charities and organisations can help you if you're struggling with debt