Opinion
Paris Olympics: 'The city is under siege. I just want it all to be over'
![Gendarmes outside the Gare de Nord train station in Paris ahead of the 2024 Summer Olympic Games](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/2XM6T73.gif?w=768)
Paris Olympics: 'The city is under siege. I just want it all to be over'
The city centre has been rezoned and cleared out - the Olympics is a slap in the face to its own citizens, says novelist Robert McLiam Wilson, who has lived in the city for over 20 years
Dear prisons minister James Timpson… Every prisoner should have the opportunity to be creative
![Charity Untold empowers young men in prison to reclaim their story](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Untold-3.jpg?w=768)
Dear prisons minister James Timpson… Every prisoner should have the opportunity to be creative
I'm a union organiser in Coventry. Here's how Amazon's 'union busting' works
I'm a union organiser in Coventry. Here's how Amazon's 'union busting' works
Labour has a chance to stop domestic abuse at its roots – here's how
Labour has a chance to stop domestic abuse at its roots – here's how
Keir Starmer promised to tackle child poverty – but we need action, not empty words
![](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/53850970691_0c3dc35aef_o-e1721823899494.jpg?w=768)
Keir Starmer promised to tackle child poverty – but we need action, not empty words
'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
Keir Starmer's government is bringing power to local communities. We need that in social security
![keir starmer and mayors](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/53845357908_7ce542b511_o.jpg?w=768)
Keir Starmer's government is bringing power to local communities. We need that in social security
Our health system is failing both men and women – but it's gender equity we need, not equality
![](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/nathan-mcdine-M1gMpG4QkHk-unsplash-e1721643564585.jpg?w=768)
Our health system is failing both men and women – but it's gender equity we need, not equality
One in four children start school still wearing nappies – but it's not the parents' fault
![One in four children are starting school still wearing nappies, research has found](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/pexels-kseniachernaya-8535230.jpg?w=647)
One in four children start school still wearing nappies – but it's not the parents' fault
Voter ID rules are racist – let’s get rid of them once and for all
![voter ID, local elections 2023](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/17246052428_3a79fe29d7_k-e1682502090429.jpg?w=768)
Voter ID rules are racist – let’s get rid of them once and for all
Smart, no-nonsense moves by Starmer show how toxic and incompetent the Tories have really been
![](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/53839153838_f982ce49c8_o-e1720704007404.jpg?w=768)
Smart, no-nonsense moves by Starmer show how toxic and incompetent the Tories have really been
Food banks can take hope from election result – if Labour takes action before another tough winter
![food bank](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/6921_230203-RugeleyFoodbank-MET05625_©-Robin-Prime.jpg?w=768)
Food banks can take hope from election result – if Labour takes action before another tough winter
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
One of the biggest crises facing the UK is barely talked about – the crisis of an ageing population
![pensioner poverty ageing population](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/claudia-love-L30rgHYSyuU-unsplash.jpg?w=768)
One of the biggest crises facing the UK is barely talked about – the crisis of an ageing population
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
DWP's 'automation' of universal credit discriminates against single mums, researchers say
![benefits/ money](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/sarah-agnew-tKSdSJjb9zo-unsplash.jpg?w=768)
DWP's 'automation' of universal credit discriminates against single mums, researchers say
With the new government comes a new opportunity to rethink welfare and benefits
![](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/1623_John_Bird_Hero.jpg?w=768)
With the new government comes a new opportunity to rethink welfare and benefits
'I sofa surfed for four months': How 'out of control' renting crisis is hurting key workers
![Unison key workers at a protest](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/2675159244_525b32bcc7_3k.jpg?w=719)
'I sofa surfed for four months': How 'out of control' renting crisis is hurting key workers
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)
I found strength, joy, resilience and community on the dance floor of queer clubs
7 ways to make the most of your summer now the 'greyest election of our lifetime' is over
![](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/ellena-mcguinness-_AQHcZFpGRU-unsplash.gif?w=768)
7 ways to make the most of your summer now the 'greyest election of our lifetime' is over
We urgently need a fresh cross-government approach to ending homelessness
![](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Charlotte-speaking-at-the-Emmaus-National-Assembly-in-2023-e1720187479849.jpg?w=768)
We urgently need a fresh cross-government approach to ending homelessness
I watched all the documentaries about Lidl so you don't have to
![](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/1622_Lucy-Sweet_Lidl.jpg?w=768)
I watched all the documentaries about Lidl so you don't have to
Labour is yet to give much hope it will reduce poverty. We need more from the new government
![keir starmer labour leader](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/53831164785_0f788633b2_k.jpg?w=768)