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
‘An urgent wake-up call’: Half of disabled people are struggling to pay their energy bills
Cost of living crisis

‘An urgent wake-up call’: Half of disabled people are struggling to pay their energy bills

‘I have nothing’: DWP takes millions from benefit claimants every year to pay for its own mistakes
Benefits

‘I have nothing’: DWP takes millions from benefit claimants every year to pay for its own mistakes

21 million Brits are struggling to pay bills: ‘People will go cold, hungry and lose their homes’
Cost of living crisis

21 million Brits are struggling to pay bills: ‘People will go cold, hungry and lose their homes’

‘Illegal vapes are already flooding the market’: What impact will disposable vapes ban really have?
Disposable vapes

‘Illegal vapes are already flooding the market’: What impact will disposable vapes ban really have?

Tens of thousand sign petition against DWP plan to snoop on benefit claimants’ bank accounts
Department for Work and Pensions

Tens of thousand sign petition against DWP plan to snoop on benefit claimants’ bank accounts

DWP benefits and cost of living payment dates to expect in February 2024
Benefits

DWP benefits and cost of living payment dates to expect in February 2024

UK has become the sick man of Europe since 2010. Politicians must get a grip on the economy
Paul Swinney

UK has become the sick man of Europe since 2010. Politicians must get a grip on the economy

It’s 20 years and six prime ministers since UK last saw a sustained fall in poverty. Yes, really
Poverty

It’s 20 years and six prime ministers since UK last saw a sustained fall in poverty. Yes, really

‘I saw my arm melting’: Acid attack survivor on hope, making change and new Rankin campaign
Violence against women

‘I saw my arm melting’: Acid attack survivor on hope, making change and new Rankin campaign

Brits are £10,000 poorer now than in 2010, study finds: ‘Everywhere has been levelled down’
Poverty

Brits are £10,000 poorer now than in 2010, study finds: ‘Everywhere has been levelled down’

Mum fears telling DWP she’s pregnant due to ‘cruel’ two-child benefit cap: ‘Bills are just too much’
Benefits

Mum fears telling DWP she’s pregnant due to ‘cruel’ two-child benefit cap: ‘Bills are just too much’

Healthy life expectancy in Liverpool is just 58: Most deprived areas of UK need better healthcare
Health

Healthy life expectancy in Liverpool is just 58: Most deprived areas of UK need better healthcare