Look Who’s Back – It’s Begbie. After Trainspotting ONLY in The Big Issue

This week, we have a fantastic exclusive. Irvine Welsh has penned a follow-up short story to Trainspotting, looking at what happened when cult favourite Begbie was released from jail. You won’t get this online, you won’t get it anywhere else. It’s an old-fashioned honest-to-God exclusive.

The International Network of Street Papers, who did the heavy lifting on this, will distribute to street papers globally after we run.

Also, life after Harry – Sylvia Patterson spends some time with Daniel Radcliffe and gets some interesting thoughts on his drink problem and press freedoms post-Leveson (he’s for a free press).

Our Letter To My Younger Self is with Vicky Pryce. She, of course, gained notoriety as the ex-wife of Chris Huhne, jailed for lying about his licence points. A very good read this, she has much to say about trust, marriage and the real value of what’s important.

John Bird, meanwhile, considers the successes of two big mayors, Bloomberg and Boris, but sees a new homelessness crisis looming as affordable housing stock dwindles.

Brendan O’Neill looks at the cost of a modern space programme, and urges us to look at the bigger benefits.

Loneliness is a terrible fear for a growing number of people, especially the elderly and especially at Christmas. We look at how all of us can reach out and do something about that.

Our vendor is Smudger from Birmingham. He has just got accommodation and is planning a first ever Christmas in his own place.

There is much else, amongst it we unveil a new online shop. John Bird details social trading. And The Krankies are in this magazine. Deal with it.