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ABOUT
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
Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal
Pound coins on a piece of paper with disability living allowancve
Disability benefits

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal

90,000 people sign open letter to Rishi Sunak demanding free school meals for all
free school meals for all
Week of action

90,000 people sign open letter to Rishi Sunak demanding free school meals for all

Free school meals for all would generate billions for the economy. Here's why
Free school meals illustration
Week of action

Free school meals for all would generate billions for the economy. Here's why

These countries offer free school meals for all – so why can't the UK?
Free school meals
Week of action

These countries offer free school meals for all – so why can't the UK?

Just 5% of people with a learning disability are employed. This woman is out to prove the world wrong
Aisha/ Learning disability
Learning disability week

Just 5% of people with a learning disability are employed. This woman is out to prove the world wrong

People in poverty are at greater risk of sunburn and skin cancer. Charities are calling for action
sunscreen/ sunburn
Cost of living crisis

People in poverty are at greater risk of sunburn and skin cancer. Charities are calling for action

'I left to save my family': Ukrainian refugee finds hope in the UK with help from C&C Group and Big Issue Recruit
ukraine refugee
Big Issue Recruit

'I left to save my family': Ukrainian refugee finds hope in the UK with help from C&C Group and Big Issue Recruit

This Strictly Come Dancing super-fan has big dreams and wants to bust myths about Down's syndrome
Dance/ Strictly
Learning Disability Week

This Strictly Come Dancing super-fan has big dreams and wants to bust myths about Down's syndrome

Protect babies and children from malnutrition in cost of living crisis, government urged
Happy infant baby boy spoon eats itself;
child poverty

Protect babies and children from malnutrition in cost of living crisis, government urged

‘I was terrified I would be sent to prison for being gay in the armed forces. I had a mental health crisis’
Craig Jones/ Gay in the military
LGBT+ veterans

‘I was terrified I would be sent to prison for being gay in the armed forces. I had a mental health crisis’

‘I was forced to leave the navy six weeks after kissing a woman for the first time’
Tilla Brook/ Gay in the navy
LGBT+ veterans

‘I was forced to leave the navy six weeks after kissing a woman for the first time’

‘My partner died of Aids and no one knew because it was illegal to be gay in the armed forces’
patrick/ gay in the military
LGBT+ veterans

‘My partner died of Aids and no one knew because it was illegal to be gay in the armed forces’