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Behind the scenes

Inside the Big Issue: Time for a Spring Budget reboot

The spring budget presents the Chancellor of the Exchequer with the opportunity to reshape the British economy through their policies.

Inside the Big Issue

The Spring Budget presents chancellor Jeremy Hunt with the opportunity to reshape the British economy through their policies. In recent years, they have don’t seem to have tried to do that very hard.

Tipping into a recession at the end of 2023, the economy is in a perilous state, keenly felt by those in poverty. Inflation and interest rates remain high; shopping and borrowing is expensive. Housing is scarce, and public services are on their knees.

Fundamental change is likely only to come with a new parliament, whether that’s a new party in office, or the same party with a fresh mandate. In the meantime, even long-announced policies are floundering, like the mythical ban on section 21 evictions. In their place, we’re getting things like a ban on mobile phones in schools.

Yet, with talk of tax cuts dominating, it’s clear the government believes some can be won over with Hunt’s budget. So why not win over those who know all about the country’s social problems?

In this week’s Big Issue we’ve put together a wishlist. From housing to libraries, disabilities rights to the loss of cultural venues, these are the big issues that could be addressed to make countless lives better.

This week we also celebrate National Vendor Week. We’re proud to announce that we’ve been able to help 8% more people year-on-year as the cost of living crisis continues to bite. Our vendors collectively earned over £4m thanks to people like you buying magazines. Thank you for doing so and don’t miss the latest edition!

What else is in this week’s Big Issue?

Meet people who have changed their life completely by getting a hand up from Big Issue

It’s National Vendor Week, our annual opportunity to shine a light on Big Issue vendors and other street paper sellers around the world working hard in all weathers to lift themselves out of poverty. In this week’s issue, we explore how The Big Issue has touched the lives of vendors and ex-vendors in recent times.

To get involved with Big Issue’s National Vendor Week, click here.

A view from the streets of Taipei living under the shadow of China from our sister paper The Big Issue Taiwan

The relationship between Taiwan and China is at a precarious stalemate, and a recent election has brought these tensions to the surface. There may be the threat of invasion but life goes on even amid a geopolitical crisis. Rachel Chen, managing editor of our sister paper The Big Issue Taiwan explains the situation, ahead of the inauguration of the new president taking place in May.

Legendary actor John Malkovich explores the ground between beauty and horror in an exclusive interview

John Malkovich is being John Malkovich. Speaking to The Big Issue from an immaculate suite, radiant in a white shirt, white V-neck and white jacket, he answers questions in a meandering drawl, simultaneously sounding bemused and confessional, playful and profound, in total control yet completely unpredictable.

A prolific star of film and TV, Malkovich, 70, was born in Illinois and studied acting at Manhattan’s William Esper Studio. Now, he unpacks his French accent again for the latest prestige drama from Apple TV+, The New Look.

Buy a Big Issue Vendor Support Kit

This Christmas, give a Big Issue vendor the tools to keep themselves warm, dry, fed, earning and progressing.

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