A hand up, not a handout

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
‘We’re at breaking point’: Food banks see record number of first-time users as demand soars
Food banks

‘We’re at breaking point’: Food banks see record number of first-time users as demand soars

Benefit reforms ‘entirely in the wrong direction’ to help disabled people into work, DWP warned
Benefits

Benefit reforms ‘entirely in the wrong direction’ to help disabled people into work, DWP warned

DWP sparks outcry with plan to hire 2,500 ‘agents’ to investigate universal credit claimants
Benefit fraud

DWP sparks outcry with plan to hire 2,500 ‘agents’ to investigate universal credit claimants

Free school meals: Who is eligible? And how do you apply? Here’s all you need to know
Free school meals

Free school meals: Who is eligible? And how do you apply? Here’s all you need to know

Universal credit changes risk pushing vulnerable benefit claimants ‘into crisis’, DWP warned
Universal credit

Universal credit changes risk pushing vulnerable benefit claimants ‘into crisis’, DWP warned

Even Suella Braverman wants to end the two-child benefit cap. Why is Labour refusing to budge?
Child poverty

Even Suella Braverman wants to end the two-child benefit cap. Why is Labour refusing to budge?

Call for MPs to support new Ukraine-style visa scheme for Palestinians trapped in Gaza
Israel-Gaza war

Call for MPs to support new Ukraine-style visa scheme for Palestinians trapped in Gaza

Would devolution of the DWP be a better way of delivering benefits and welfare?
Department for Work and Pensions

Would devolution of the DWP be a better way of delivering benefits and welfare?

Will DWP’s WorkWell scheme actually help people into work – or is it an attack on disability rights?
Disability rights

Will DWP’s WorkWell scheme actually help people into work – or is it an attack on disability rights?

Applying for DWP benefits is ‘soul-destroying’ and ‘unnecessarily difficult’, study finds
Benefits

Applying for DWP benefits is ‘soul-destroying’ and ‘unnecessarily difficult’, study finds

India Amarteifio on growing up on benefits and entering the glitzy Bridgerton world
Social Justice

India Amarteifio on growing up on benefits and entering the glitzy Bridgerton world

This chef walks the streets of London serving piping hot lasagne to rough sleepers: ‘We won’t stop coming’
Homelessness

This chef walks the streets of London serving piping hot lasagne to rough sleepers: ‘We won’t stop coming’