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
Long-term sickness cannot be fixed by tightening ‘harsh’ disability benefits system, experts warn
Benefits

Long-term sickness cannot be fixed by tightening ‘harsh’ disability benefits system, experts warn

Thousands could be owed up to £12k from DWP in backdated PIP payments. Here’s what you need to know
Social Justice

Thousands could be owed up to £12k from DWP in backdated PIP payments. Here’s what you need to know

Millions of families on universal credit worse off by £1,400 a year, experts say: ‘It needs to change’
Universal credit

Millions of families on universal credit worse off by £1,400 a year, experts say: ‘It needs to change’

Amy’s Place: How a ‘beautiful’ housing project giving hope became Amy Winehouse’s real legacy
Housing

Amy’s Place: How a ‘beautiful’ housing project giving hope became Amy Winehouse’s real legacy

My cousin was killed in front of his six-year-old son. I need to get my family out of Gaza
Israel-Gaza war

My cousin was killed in front of his six-year-old son. I need to get my family out of Gaza

My family faced hell on earth in Gaza. Leaving was their only option for survival
Israel-Gaza war

My family faced hell on earth in Gaza. Leaving was their only option for survival

I lost 200 members of my family to war in Gaza. I feel betrayed by the UK government
Israel-Gaza war

I lost 200 members of my family to war in Gaza. I feel betrayed by the UK government

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