environment and community
'It was a long, dark night of the soul': What the first 24 hours in prison is really like
![prison leavers](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/pexels-rodnae-productions-6065080.jpg?w=768)
'It was a long, dark night of the soul': What the first 24 hours in prison is really like
Community interest company founder and podcast co-host Gary Crooks remembers his first impressions of life in prison
Tories planned to spend £10bn on Rwanda scheme. From HS2 to benefits, here’s how it could be better spent
![Rishi Sunak](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/52732976733_7e4789481c_o.jpg?w=768)
Tories planned to spend £10bn on Rwanda scheme. From HS2 to benefits, here’s how it could be better spent
Letters: I'm an anti-capitalist, non-binary vegan. Here's what private school taught me
Letters: I'm an anti-capitalist, non-binary vegan. Here's what private school taught me
Free and cheap things to do with the kids over the 2024 summer holidays
Free and cheap things to do with the kids over the 2024 summer holidays
Fighting for justice for women in a system that's rigged against them
![](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/1624-books-cr-Alice-Mollon.jpg?w=768)
Fighting for justice for women in a system that's rigged against them
France is booting homeless migrants out of Paris ahead of the Olympics – but some are fighting back
![](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/1624_paris_GettyImages-2156677490.jpg?w=768)
France is booting homeless migrants out of Paris ahead of the Olympics – but some are fighting back
Marc Almond on being the antidote to Thatcher and why he's probably a queer icon after all
![English singer Marc Almond in a low-lit photo with a black background](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Marc-Almond.jpg?w=768)
Marc Almond on being the antidote to Thatcher and why he's probably a queer icon after all
Hefty jail terms for Just Stop Oil activists 'set a terrible example for the rest of the world'
![Traffic on the M25 during a Just Stop Oil protest](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/IMAGE_JustStopOil_M25_3_08112022-e1721398819883.png?w=768)
Hefty jail terms for Just Stop Oil activists 'set a terrible example for the rest of the world'
Marginalised, sceptical and locked out of housing: Why young people didn't vote in the general election
![Keir Starmer during the 2024 general election campaign](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/53792719611_a5aa204975_k-e1721146444830.jpg?w=768)
Marginalised, sceptical and locked out of housing: Why young people didn't vote in the general election
Housing, benefits and railways: Key takeaways from Labour's first King's Speech
![The King addresses the House of Lords at the State Opening of Parliament](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Untitled-1920-x-1480-px-5.png?w=768)
Housing, benefits and railways: Key takeaways from Labour's first King's Speech
How chicken factory musical Chuck Chuck Baby became a love letter to working-class women
![Louise Brealey in Chuck Chuck Baby](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Chuck-Chuck-Baby-HERO.jpg?w=768)
How chicken factory musical Chuck Chuck Baby became a love letter to working-class women
This pioneering and 'beautiful' idea can help keep young care leavers from falling into homelessness
![Care leaver Bayley Tubman with her 'aunties'](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/BT.-18th-May-2023a-1.jpg?w=768)
This pioneering and 'beautiful' idea can help keep young care leavers from falling into homelessness
What will be in King's Speech? Here's 5 things to look out for – from benefits to conversion therapy
![](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Untitled-design-10.jpg?w=768)
What will be in King's Speech? Here's 5 things to look out for – from benefits to conversion therapy
Children's author Malorie Blackman: 'As a teenager I had never read any books by Black authors'
![Malorie Blackman speaking at the Merky Books Literature Festival in 2023](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/1623_LTMYS_Hero.jpg?w=768)
Children's author Malorie Blackman: 'As a teenager I had never read any books by Black authors'
Scotland's national poet Kathleen Jamie on why book festivals are wrong target for climate activism
![](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/1623_Books_Hero.jpg?w=768)
Scotland's national poet Kathleen Jamie on why book festivals are wrong target for climate activism
Top 5 books by Latin American writers, chosen by poet and author Richard Gwyn
![](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/1623_Books_Top_5_Hero.jpg?w=768)
Top 5 books by Latin American writers, chosen by poet and author Richard Gwyn
Electric vehicle charge points to become centre of new privatisation row – unless Labour steps in
![An electric car being charged](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/chuttersnap-xJLsHl0hIik-unsplash.jpg?w=768)
Electric vehicle charge points to become centre of new privatisation row – unless Labour steps in
Travis frontman Fran Healy on unfinished business and why being working class is a superpower
![Travis (l-r) Andy Dunlop, Fran Healy, Dougie Payne and Neil Primrose](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/1623_Music_Hero.jpg?w=768)
Travis frontman Fran Healy on unfinished business and why being working class is a superpower
What is the National Wealth Fund? Inside Labour’s less sexy, technocratic replacement for the £28bn
![Rachel Reeves and Ed Miliband meeting the National Wealth Fund taskforce](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/53845876705_68c2b5634c_k-e1720714488391.jpg?w=768)
What is the National Wealth Fund? Inside Labour’s less sexy, technocratic replacement for the £28bn
The new Labour government must make changes so disabled people can enjoy sport
![disabled people sport](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/audi-nissen-COmEXrbCtf4-unsplash.jpg?w=768)
The new Labour government must make changes so disabled people can enjoy sport
'I felt intimidated': Disabled people feel shut out of playing and watching sport, report finds
![mary on a climbing wall](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/IMG20240223152847_Original98-copy.png?w=768)
'I felt intimidated': Disabled people feel shut out of playing and watching sport, report finds
What's next for the French? The future of France – and Europe – is uncertain after shock election result
![](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Untitled-design-13-1.jpg?w=768)
What's next for the French? The future of France – and Europe – is uncertain after shock election result
I found strength, joy, resilience and community on the dance floor of queer clubs
![](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/pexels-mark-angelo-sampan-738078-1587927.jpg?w=648)