Isabella McRae
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
I used to dream of being a doctor in the UK. Now I’m searching for ways to survive in Palestine
Israel-Gaza war

I used to dream of being a doctor in the UK. Now I’m searching for ways to survive in Palestine

‘Helpless’ UK residents call for Home Office to help get families out of Gaza: ‘We feel betrayed’
Israel-Gaza war

‘Helpless’ UK residents call for Home Office to help get families out of Gaza: ‘We feel betrayed’

DWP should keep targeting benefit fraud gangs – not disabled people and carers, campaigners say
Benefit fraud

DWP should keep targeting benefit fraud gangs – not disabled people and carers, campaigners say

Taking an earlier, smaller state pension could see pensioners ‘suffer for rest of their lives’
Pensions

Taking an earlier, smaller state pension could see pensioners ‘suffer for rest of their lives’

DWP benefits and state pension rising from April. Here’s when you will get the higher amount
Benefits

DWP benefits and state pension rising from April. Here’s when you will get the higher amount

Government must fix council tax benefits, charity says, as millions pushed into debt
Benefits

Government must fix council tax benefits, charity says, as millions pushed into debt

DWP shamed over ‘cruel’ two-child benefit cap as millions trapped in poverty: ‘Scrap this sibling tax’
Benefits

DWP shamed over ‘cruel’ two-child benefit cap as millions trapped in poverty: ‘Scrap this sibling tax’

‘I feel judged for being smelly’: Millions can’t afford to wash their clothes as hygiene poverty soars
Hygiene poverty

‘I feel judged for being smelly’: Millions can’t afford to wash their clothes as hygiene poverty soars

‘DWP has learnt nothing’: DWP sparks fury by seizing woman’s £16k inheritance over Co-op job
Department for Work and Pensions

‘DWP has learnt nothing’: DWP sparks fury by seizing woman’s £16k inheritance over Co-op job

‘A national scandal’: Shocking number of kids living in dangerously mouldy homes, social workers say
Cost of living crisis

‘A national scandal’: Shocking number of kids living in dangerously mouldy homes, social workers say

Parents can now get 15 hours free childcare for two-year-olds. Here’s how
Cost of living crisis

Parents can now get 15 hours free childcare for two-year-olds. Here’s how

‘Time for a new deal’: UK’s new minimum wage still not enough to cover ‘a decent standard of life’
Minimum wage

‘Time for a new deal’: UK’s new minimum wage still not enough to cover ‘a decent standard of life’