Isabella McRae
Isabella McRae is a senior reporter at The Big Issue specialising in social justice. She reports on a wide range of issues including poverty and inequality, the benefits system, disability rights, housing, health, immigration, gender equality and much more. Isabella was a winner of the PPA Next Gen Awards in 2023, formerly known as the 30 under 30. She was shortlisted for journalist of the year in the Scope Disability Awards 2024. Get in touch with Isabella through isabella.mcrae@bigissue.com
Influencer Nikki Lilly: 'Disabled people are at the bottom of the barrel – we need more allies'
Kelvin Okafor's portrait of Nikki Lilly.
Disability

Influencer Nikki Lilly: 'Disabled people are at the bottom of the barrel – we need more allies'

Majority of pensioners to get winter fuel payment: 'Finally the chancellor has seen sense'
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has just announced plans to restore the winter fuel payment
Winter fuel payment

Majority of pensioners to get winter fuel payment: 'Finally the chancellor has seen sense'

New film Lollipop powerfully lays bare the 'inhumane' way mothers are cut off from their children
Film

New film Lollipop powerfully lays bare the 'inhumane' way mothers are cut off from their children

Labour's disability benefit cuts will force nearly half a million people to turn to food banks
Disability benefits

Labour's disability benefit cuts will force nearly half a million people to turn to food banks

'How many more children must die?': British Palestinians plead with UK to act as Gaza's people starve
A protest for Gaza and Palestine outside Wesminister.
Gaza

'How many more children must die?': British Palestinians plead with UK to act as Gaza's people starve

Patients are dying and facing 'horrible tragedies' due to Manchester's mental health care crisis, staff say
NHS workers in Manchester strike
Mental health

Patients are dying and facing 'horrible tragedies' due to Manchester's mental health care crisis, staff say

DWP warned benefit claimants are dying of starvation
Work and pensions secretary Liz Kendall speaking in parliament
Department for Work and Pensions

DWP warned benefit claimants are dying of starvation

DWP payment dates in June 2025: When you will get your benefits this month
A DWP Jobcentre
Department for Work and Pensions

DWP payment dates in June 2025: When you will get your benefits this month

33 places where kids can eat for free or £1 over the half term
kids eat free/ easter holidays
Cost of living crisis

33 places where kids can eat for free or £1 over the half term

Disabled protesters say they'll stop Labour's benefit cuts – or die trying: 'I will fight my heart out'
Protesters in Cardiff outside their local MP's office with a sign saying 'welfare not warfare'
Disability benefits

Disabled protesters say they'll stop Labour's benefit cuts – or die trying: 'I will fight my heart out'

Deaf President Now! and the greatest civil rights movement you've probably never heard of
Tim Rarus, Bridgetta Bourne-Firl, Greg Hlibok and Jerry Covell as part of the Deaf President Now protest.
Film

Deaf President Now! and the greatest civil rights movement you've probably never heard of

Sam Thompson on his mammoth 260-mile challenge for Soccer Aid: 'I've got to do something'
Sam Thompson joined children aged nine to 12 to play football at a UNICEF-supported football programme supporting children in Solola, Guatemala.
Charity

Sam Thompson on his mammoth 260-mile challenge for Soccer Aid: 'I've got to do something'

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