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
'The DWP disability benefits system has crushed me': a domestic abuse survivor speaks out
Anonymous domestic abuse survivor struggles with disability benefits system
Disability benefits

'The DWP disability benefits system has crushed me': a domestic abuse survivor speaks out

'The DWP refused me PIP and took universal credit deductions because my landlord told them to. How am I supposed to live?'
George Mitchell, who has faced difficulties with the DWP PIP and universal credit
Disability benefits

'The DWP refused me PIP and took universal credit deductions because my landlord told them to. How am I supposed to live?'

This teenager with MS is fighting for change after DWP universal credit waiting times forced her to use food banks
Keisha, who has faced DWP universal credit waiting times
Universal credit

This teenager with MS is fighting for change after DWP universal credit waiting times forced her to use food banks

Free and cheap things to do with kids over the summer holidays
summer holidays activities/ illustration
Summer survival guide

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

How to find a cheap holiday club and get financial support for childcare over the summer holidays
Holiday clubs/ Childcare over the summer holidays
Summer survival guide

How to find a cheap holiday club and get financial support for childcare over the summer holidays

Summer Survival Guide: How to get through the summer holidays in the cost of living crisis
summer holidays illustration
Summer survival guide

Summer Survival Guide: How to get through the summer holidays in the cost of living crisis

Half a million seriously ill and disabled people could have universal credit cut under DWP plans
jobcentre
Universal credit

Half a million seriously ill and disabled people could have universal credit cut under DWP plans

Why is Keir Starmer being called Sir Kid Starver?
Labour

Why is Keir Starmer being called Sir Kid Starver?

Panic attacks, pressure to 'ramp up numbers' and a 'bullying atmosphere': Life as a DWP disability benefits assessor
dwp disability benefits
Disability benefits

Panic attacks, pressure to 'ramp up numbers' and a 'bullying atmosphere': Life as a DWP disability benefits assessor

This is how much summer holiday childcare will set families back in the cost of living crisis
summer holiday childcare
Summer holidays

This is how much summer holiday childcare will set families back in the cost of living crisis

A mother felt 'stripped of humanity' when her baby was taken away. There was 'no support' from public services
public services/ pregnant
Inequality

A mother felt 'stripped of humanity' when her baby was taken away. There was 'no support' from public services

'I'm an amputee and the DWP reduced my disability benefits. I worried I would be homeless'
disability benefits/ aidan
Disability benefits

'I'm an amputee and the DWP reduced my disability benefits. I worried I would be homeless'