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
Key public services are in bad shape across the board, say most Brits – with NHS faring the worst
nhs
Public services

Key public services are in bad shape across the board, say most Brits – with NHS faring the worst

Universal credit falls short of minimum living cost by £4,000 a year, experts warn
universal credit claimants
Cost of living crisis

Universal credit falls short of minimum living cost by £4,000 a year, experts warn

Government warned tougher benefit rules will cause 'destitution': 'People are struggling'
jeremy hunt/ benefits sanctions
Benefits

Government warned tougher benefit rules will cause 'destitution': 'People are struggling'

National living wage to rise to £11 an hour – but experts say it's not enough
jeremy hunt
National living wage

National living wage to rise to £11 an hour – but experts say it's not enough

Here's when people got the disability cost of living payment – and what to do if yours is missing
Image of person in wheelchair/ Disability cost of living payment
Cost of living crisis

Here's when people got the disability cost of living payment – and what to do if yours is missing

GB News slammed as Laurence Fox suspended over 'misogynistic attack' on female journalist
gb news
GB News

GB News slammed as Laurence Fox suspended over 'misogynistic attack' on female journalist

How government blows tens of millions in taxpayer cash fighting disability benefit claims
dwp
Disability benefits

How government blows tens of millions in taxpayer cash fighting disability benefit claims

Would you prosecute a child for stealing baby formula? Shoplifting's rise amid cost of living crisis
shoplifting
Cost of Living Crisis

Would you prosecute a child for stealing baby formula? Shoplifting's rise amid cost of living crisis

Man left severely disabled after sudden stroke. Now he's homeless and trapped in a 'vicious circle'
Gary, who is now disabled
Disability

Man left severely disabled after sudden stroke. Now he's homeless and trapped in a 'vicious circle'

Pension triple lock: What is it and how does it affect me?
An older man sits on a couch looking at an iPad. Pension triple lock
Pensions

Pension triple lock: What is it and how does it affect me?

State pension rise due to triple lock will be 'wholly unfair' on benefits claimants, charities warn
state pension/ pensioner
Pensions

State pension rise due to triple lock will be 'wholly unfair' on benefits claimants, charities warn

Single mum on universal credit feels 'penalised' because she can't find work around childcare
single mother/ universal credit
Childcare

Single mum on universal credit feels 'penalised' because she can't find work around childcare