Inside the Big Issue: The UK riots, one year on

Last July, Britain was gripped by a wave of violent unrest, sparked by a terror attack and fuelled by a sense of political failure.

Towns from the south coast to the north-west saw angry crowds, arrests, and smashed shopfronts. The violence sent shockwaves across the country; just weeks into office, the new prime minister Keir Starmer slammed its perpetrators as “right-wing thugs”.

“Be in no doubt: those who have participated in this violence will face the full force of the law,” he warned.

One year on, as some protests have ignited once more, with mutterings of another summer of discontent, have those deep roots of resentment been dealt with or sprouted anew? Big Issue went to find the places where hope still thrives.

From Southport to Kent, buy this week’s magazine to find out more.

What else is in this week’s Big Issue?

Alex Jones’ Letter to My Younger Self

She secretly always wanted to be in front of the camera, but would never have dared believe she’d be on primetime BBC. 

“This phone call came out of the blue asking me to go and meet the producers of The One Show. I thought it was a joke at the beginning.”

‘Adults make dumb decisions’: What do teenagers think about lowering the voting age?

The government has announced seismic plans to lower the voting age to 16. This could give around 1.5 million 16- and 17-year-olds the right to vote at the next general election, due by 2029. Ministers say 16-year-olds should have a say in decisions that affect their lives. But not everyone is convinced. We spoke to 11 young people.

An innovative trial gave rough sleepers free cash to spend on whatever they want. Here’s what they did with it

Homeless people have been given a ‘significant’ amount of cash to spend on what they want in a first-of-its-kind trial that could shape the future of homelessness support in the UK. What did they do with it?

Do you have a story to tell or opinions to share about this? Get in touch and tell us more.