A hand up, not a handout

Membership
£ Support
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
Families torn apart for not earning enough under ‘unfair’ visa rules: ‘I can’t take care of my husband’
Immigration

Families torn apart for not earning enough under ‘unfair’ visa rules: ‘I can’t take care of my husband’

‘People are scared’: Surge in helpline calls after Labour announces plans for benefit cuts
Disability benefits

‘People are scared’: Surge in helpline calls after Labour announces plans for benefit cuts

Cuts, taxes and Labour dissent: What to expect from the chancellor’s Spring Statement
Spring Statement

Cuts, taxes and Labour dissent: What to expect from the chancellor’s Spring Statement

‘Frustrated, angry, exhausted’: Food banks forced to ‘throw out food donated by supermarkets’
Food banks

‘Frustrated, angry, exhausted’: Food banks forced to ‘throw out food donated by supermarkets’

BBC’s Crongton is a ‘celebration of Alex Wheatle’s incredible life and powerful stories’
TV

BBC’s Crongton is a ‘celebration of Alex Wheatle’s incredible life and powerful stories’

Here’s how to make your voice heard against the DWP’s disability benefit cuts
Disability benefits

Here’s how to make your voice heard against the DWP’s disability benefit cuts

Stanley Tucci, Stephen Fry, Rosie Jones and more hit out over benefit cuts: ‘It breaks my heart’
Disability benefits

Stanley Tucci, Stephen Fry, Rosie Jones and more hit out over benefit cuts: ‘It breaks my heart’

DWP minister ‘regrets’ making disabled people feel anxious over benefit cuts
Disability benefits

DWP minister ‘regrets’ making disabled people feel anxious over benefit cuts

Benefit cuts are a ‘violation of human rights’ which will harm ill and disabled people, Labour warned
Disability benefits

Benefit cuts are a ‘violation of human rights’ which will harm ill and disabled people, Labour warned

Cuts, universal credit and PIP: Everything you need to know about Labour’s benefits overhaul
Benefits

Cuts, universal credit and PIP: Everything you need to know about Labour’s benefits overhaul

Over 85,000 children in Britain living in extreme poverty: ‘There’s a sense of hopelessness’
Child poverty

Over 85,000 children in Britain living in extreme poverty: ‘There’s a sense of hopelessness’

‘I’ll lose my ability to be part of society’: Disabled people fear life after Labour’s benefit cuts
Disability benefits

‘I’ll lose my ability to be part of society’: Disabled people fear life after Labour’s benefit cuts