Subscribe
Support
Isabella McRae
Isabella McRae is a senior reporter at The Big Issue specialising in social justice. She reports on a wide range of issues including poverty and inequality, the benefits system, disability rights, housing, health, immigration, gender equality and much more. Isabella was a winner of the PPA Next Gen Awards in 2023, formerly known as the 30 under 30. She was shortlisted for journalist of the year in the Scope Disability Awards 2024.
Almost no recorded cases of disability benefit fraud despite DWP crackdown: 'PIP fraud is a non-issue'
dwp pip/ disabled person
Disability benefits

Almost no recorded cases of disability benefit fraud despite DWP crackdown: 'PIP fraud is a non-issue'

Deaf man awarded £50,000 after 'oppressive' and 'discriminatory' treatment by DWP
dwp jobcentre
Department for Work and Pensions

Deaf man awarded £50,000 after 'oppressive' and 'discriminatory' treatment by DWP

Benefits system is 'utterly failing' as food bank demand reaches record high: 'It's heartbreaking'
donate to a food bank
Food banks

Benefits system is 'utterly failing' as food bank demand reaches record high: 'It's heartbreaking'

'We're at breaking point': Food banks see record number of first-time users as demand soars
food bank
Food banks

'We're at breaking point': Food banks see record number of first-time users as demand soars

Benefit reforms 'entirely in the wrong direction' to help disabled people into work, DWP warned
rishi sunak/ disability benefit reforms dwp
Benefits

Benefit reforms 'entirely in the wrong direction' to help disabled people into work, DWP warned

DWP sparks outcry with plan to hire 2,500 'agents' to investigate universal credit claimants
rishi sunak and mel stride/ dwp
Benefit fraud

DWP sparks outcry with plan to hire 2,500 'agents' to investigate universal credit claimants

Free school meals: Who is eligible? And how do you apply? Here's all you need to know
Free school meals
Free school meals

Free school meals: Who is eligible? And how do you apply? Here's all you need to know

Universal credit changes risk pushing vulnerable benefit claimants 'into crisis', DWP warned
dwp universal credit/ parent balancing baby and work
Universal credit

Universal credit changes risk pushing vulnerable benefit claimants 'into crisis', DWP warned

Even Suella Braverman wants to end the two-child benefit cap. Why is Labour refusing to budge?
suella braverman
Child poverty

Even Suella Braverman wants to end the two-child benefit cap. Why is Labour refusing to budge?

Call for MPs to support new Ukraine-style visa scheme for Palestinians trapped in Gaza
gaza protest
Israel-Gaza war

Call for MPs to support new Ukraine-style visa scheme for Palestinians trapped in Gaza

Would devolution of the DWP be a better way of delivering benefits and welfare?
A miniature figurine businessman looking down on an information booklet for department for work and pensions
Department for Work and Pensions

Would devolution of the DWP be a better way of delivering benefits and welfare?

Will DWP's WorkWell scheme actually help people into work – or is it an attack on disability rights?
working disabled woman
Disability rights

Will DWP's WorkWell scheme actually help people into work – or is it an attack on disability rights?