Austerity
Homeless people face being locked out of public toilets due to card-only payments
![A sign advertising the use of public toilets for £3](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/bernd-dittrich-F2P8Sm9bfUQ-unsplash.jpg?w=768)
Homeless people face being locked out of public toilets due to card-only payments
Public toilets are on track to disappear in the next 80 years, according to research from Victorian Plumbing. But bringing in card-only payments on existing toilets risks excluding rough sleepers
The Tories have seen their worst defeat in modern history. This is their legacy of failure
![](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Screenshot-2024-07-04-at-11.42.34.png?w=768)
The Tories have seen their worst defeat in modern history. This is their legacy of failure
There are more food banks in UK than McDonald's. It's why the work doesn't stop after polling day
![](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/24882459297_a4c1f4fc35_k.gif?w=768)
There are more food banks in UK than McDonald's. It's why the work doesn't stop after polling day
Austerity is more expensive than investment in public services. It's basic maths
Austerity is more expensive than investment in public services. It's basic maths
Keir Starmer will continue austerity. That means keeping vulnerable people in 'brutalising poverty'
Keir Starmer will continue austerity. That means keeping vulnerable people in 'brutalising poverty'
The roots of NHS decay can't be hidden by soundbite veneers
![](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/1603_PaulM_column.jpg?w=768)
The roots of NHS decay can't be hidden by soundbite veneers
The government's short-term thinking around poverty is a costly mistake
![Homeless tent](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/1602_JB_2WG8EE5-1.jpg?w=768)
The government's short-term thinking around poverty is a costly mistake
Museum of Austerity: The mixed reality exhibition giving a voice to victims of benefit cuts
![](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Museum-of-Austerity.jpg?w=768)
Museum of Austerity: The mixed reality exhibition giving a voice to victims of benefit cuts
UN rapporteur on extreme poverty: 'UK policies continue to inflict misery'
![](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/2GHTWKC_cropped.jpg?w=768)
UN rapporteur on extreme poverty: 'UK policies continue to inflict misery'
Battle to save Britain's libraries as budget cuts, closures and austerity leaves future uncertain
![Four people in a library](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/1584_Libraries_3.jpg?w=768)
Battle to save Britain's libraries as budget cuts, closures and austerity leaves future uncertain
Disabled people are suffering as a result of government neglect. It's time we united for justice
![disabled people protesting](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/19018815013_d64ed8b125_o.jpg?w=768)
Disabled people are suffering as a result of government neglect. It's time we united for justice
Why The Big Issue has launched a new campaign to End Housing Insecurity Now
![Illustration of people and houses](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/1581_housing-intro2.jpg?w=768)
Why The Big Issue has launched a new campaign to End Housing Insecurity Now
Labour says ‘there’s no money left’. We asked experts if that’s true
![](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/MicrosoftTeams-image-26-scaled-e1690470607904.jpg?w=768)
Labour says ‘there’s no money left’. We asked experts if that’s true
The accidental food bank: How youth clubs are becoming frontline services
![](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/MicrosoftTeams-image89f13d7551a870062e8611e5815da2bc3db26cf194e122280890ed280e733f8f-e1688124324962.jpg?w=766)
The accidental food bank: How youth clubs are becoming frontline services
Austerity was something we simply could not afford
![2010 general election campaign. Image: Glenn Copus/Evening Standard/Shutterstock](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/1568_JB_shutterstock_editorial_1274905a.jpg?w=768)
Austerity was something we simply could not afford
From benefits cruelty to child hunger, The Full Monty shows a welfare system stripped bare
![Robert Carlyle as Gaz in The Full Monty carrying a mattress](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/1567-FullMonty_FM_EP101_01261-jpg.webp?w=768)
From benefits cruelty to child hunger, The Full Monty shows a welfare system stripped bare
The DWP's record on disability benefits is a disgrace. We're here to shine a light on it
![A person with a walking stick](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/charlesdeluvio-CDJuKaNJHFA-unsplash-jpg.webp?w=768)
The DWP's record on disability benefits is a disgrace. We're here to shine a light on it
Austerity has its own life – here’s how it lives on in future generations
![Man holds his head in his and as he looks at his computer](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/pexels-tim-gouw-52608.jpg?w=768)
Austerity has its own life – here’s how it lives on in future generations
Regrets, we have a few. But this Christmas we must focus on present need, not past mistakes
![Dickens’ A Christmas Carol](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/1544_JB_2K3AXRD.jpg?w=768)
Regrets, we have a few. But this Christmas we must focus on present need, not past mistakes
The government must measure the true cost of austerity
![Protest against government](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/1540_JB_2KD0GA6.jpg?w=768)
The government must measure the true cost of austerity
Is the fiscal ‘black hole’ real? We asked economists
![Jeremy Hunt, autumn statement](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/52503876534_1514321935_k-e1668682291332.jpg?w=766)
Is the fiscal ‘black hole’ real? We asked economists
Austerity doesn't add up and hits those in need hardest
![George Osborne](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/1538_JB_GCJ94J.jpg?w=768)
Austerity doesn't add up and hits those in need hardest
Austerity, Brexit, Covid and the cost of living crisis: The damage 12 years of Tory rule has done to the UK
![](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/CameronMayJohnson.jpg?w=768)
Austerity, Brexit, Covid and the cost of living crisis: The damage 12 years of Tory rule has done to the UK
Darren McGarvey: 'Austerity was class war. I want to hit back'
![Darren McGarvey in front of a wall with graffiti](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Darren-McGarvey-credit-Peter-Byrne.jpg?w=768)
Darren McGarvey: 'Austerity was class war. I want to hit back'
The worst places to live in the UK? Britain's run-down towns aren't funny anymore
![](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/17878684392_4bc7652123_o.jpg?w=768)