Opinion

Playrise: Even in a war zone, children need the chance to play. We’re making it possible
Children affected by war playing
Ariana Mouyiaris

Playrise: Even in a war zone, children need the chance to play. We’re making it possible

Play is just as necessary – if not more so – for children affected by humanitarian crises
Will a social media ban for under-16s make any difference? We must ask young people themselves
Girlguiding Advocate Ellen, aged 17
Ellen

Will a social media ban for under-16s make any difference? We must ask young people themselves

There’s been conflict ever since Trump created his Board of Peace. Here’s what it means for the UN
Adil Hassan

There’s been conflict ever since Trump created his Board of Peace. Here’s what it means for the UN

Top Stories

My brother’s final years showed the NHS at its best. If only it were the same for everyone
John Bird

My brother’s final years showed the NHS at its best. If only it were the same for everyone

How a loophole in the housing market is locking out childminders
Brett Wigdortz

How a loophole in the housing market is locking out childminders

Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty

Political opinion

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I am so glad a plumber has been elected. Now let’s rebuild parliament from the foundations
Green Party MP Hannah Spencer
John Bird

I am so glad a plumber has been elected. Now let’s rebuild parliament from the foundations

Hannah Spencer said in her acceptance speech that “we don’t have to fight dirty to fight for change”
Our kid-friendly version of the child poverty strategy teaches all children empathy and compassion
education secretary Bridget Phillipson meets children at a breakfast club
Bridget Phillipson

Our kid-friendly version of the child poverty strategy teaches all children empathy and compassion

Palestine Action: What happens when protest is branded terror?
Palestine Action supports at the Royal Courts of Justice
Yasmine Ahmed and Lydia Gall

Palestine Action: What happens when protest is branded terror?

Homelessness

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Why are homeless people being excluded from social housing? There has to be a better way
Social housing
Francesca Albanese

Why are homeless people being excluded from social housing? There has to be a better way

There is a roadmap to end homelessness by 2040. Now it’s up those in power to follow it
Crisis Scotland representatives show cabinet secretary for housing Mairi McAllan the roadmap to end homelessness by 2040
Maeve McGoldrick

There is a roadmap to end homelessness by 2040. Now it’s up those in power to follow it

Three ways we can make a radical shift to prevent violence against women and girls
the silhouette of a women in a flat in front of the sun
Polly Neate

Three ways we can make a radical shift to prevent violence against women and girls

Homes for Ukraine helped save thousands of people. But life for Ukrainian refugees is still uncertain
Carly Whyborn

Homes for Ukraine helped save thousands of people. But life for Ukrainian refugees is still uncertain

Poverty

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My brother’s final years showed the NHS at its best. If only it were the same for everyone
St Thomas' Hospital
John Bird

My brother’s final years showed the NHS at its best. If only it were the same for everyone

Tom was one of the lucky few. To have a well-functioning NHS, you need to have fewer people living in poverty
Labour wants to cut benefit spending. Here’s how giving people free cash could save money instead
Prime minister Keir Starmer and chancellor Rachel Reeves.
Professor Michael Sanders

Labour wants to cut benefit spending. Here’s how giving people free cash could save money instead

Sex has fallen off the menu, the pints cost £9: this lost generation needs regeneration
John Bird

Sex has fallen off the menu, the pints cost £9: this lost generation needs regeneration

Sam Delaney

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My hearing loss has been hard to accept. But there is an unexpected upside
Sam Delaney

My hearing loss has been hard to accept. But there is an unexpected upside

I love the freedom of freelancing. But you never get used to the instability
Sam Delaney

I love the freedom of freelancing. But you never get used to the instability

Me, my grown-up daughter, and a night out with Take That
Take That
Sam Delaney

Me, my grown-up daughter, and a night out with Take That

Time on your hands can cause stress – but I’m learning to lean into it
Sam Delaney

Time on your hands can cause stress – but I’m learning to lean into it

John Bird

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My brother’s final years showed the NHS at its best. If only it were the same for everyone
St Thomas' Hospital
John Bird

My brother’s final years showed the NHS at its best. If only it were the same for everyone

Birmingham bin workers’ strike shows essential workers deserve support – and a decent wage
John Bird

Birmingham bin workers’ strike shows essential workers deserve support – and a decent wage

I am so glad a plumber has been elected. Now let’s rebuild parliament from the foundations
Green Party MP Hannah Spencer
John Bird

I am so glad a plumber has been elected. Now let’s rebuild parliament from the foundations

Letters: The bill to fix the Houses of Parliament is too high. Let’s use a disused office block instead
Letters

Letters: The bill to fix the Houses of Parliament is too high. Let’s use a disused office block instead

Paul McNamee

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After 19 years I’m stepping down as editor of Big Issue. Doing this job has felt like home
Big Issue editor Paul McNamee with Armando Iannucci
Paul McNamee

After 19 years I’m stepping down as editor of Big Issue. Doing this job has felt like home

Central Station is Glasgow’s beating heart. It’s chilling to think we nearly lost it
Paul McNamee

Central Station is Glasgow’s beating heart. It’s chilling to think we nearly lost it

Council tax hikes won’t improve services or pay workers better. But I have an idea
Paul McNamee

Council tax hikes won’t improve services or pay workers better. But I have an idea

Ireland’s basic income for artists shows respect for human creativity in the age of AI
Paul McNamee

Ireland’s basic income for artists shows respect for human creativity in the age of AI