A hand up, not a handout

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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
Average UK household faces £17,200 of debt by 2026: ‘We can’t afford a Tory government any longer’
Cost of living crisis

Average UK household faces £17,200 of debt by 2026: ‘We can’t afford a Tory government any longer’

DWP benefits payment dates to expect in January 2024 – with changes over the New Year
Benefits

DWP benefits payment dates to expect in January 2024 – with changes over the New Year

New Year Honours list: Emilia Clarke and her mum made MBEs for setting up brain injury charity
New Year Honours

New Year Honours list: Emilia Clarke and her mum made MBEs for setting up brain injury charity

I was groomed by drug gangs and forced into slavery, aged 9. I’m lucky to have made it out alive
Modern slavery

I was groomed by drug gangs and forced into slavery, aged 9. I’m lucky to have made it out alive

Man left ‘suicidal’ and sacrificing food after being ‘harassed’ by debt collectors
Cost of living crisis

Man left ‘suicidal’ and sacrificing food after being ‘harassed’ by debt collectors

End to household support fund will mean ‘more people will go cold, hungry and lose their homes’
Cost of living crisis

End to household support fund will mean ‘more people will go cold, hungry and lose their homes’

Here’s when people will get their benefits from the DWP over the Christmas period
Christmas

Here’s when people will get their benefits from the DWP over the Christmas period

Here’s when people in Scotland will get the winter heating payment in 2023 and 2024
Cost of living crisis

Here’s when people in Scotland will get the winter heating payment in 2023 and 2024

Carib Eats: Meet the grassroots group helping the needy with Caribbean food and community
Cost of living crisis

Carib Eats: Meet the grassroots group helping the needy with Caribbean food and community

Uncertainty over minister for disabled people role sparks backlash: ‘What message does this send?’
DWP

Uncertainty over minister for disabled people role sparks backlash: ‘What message does this send?’

Martin Lewis calls for urgent action on debt collectors as millions feel ‘harassed’ and ‘suicidal’
Cost of living crisis

Martin Lewis calls for urgent action on debt collectors as millions feel ‘harassed’ and ‘suicidal’

How much more expensive will Christmas dinner be this year due to cost of living crisis?
Cost of living

How much more expensive will Christmas dinner be this year due to cost of living crisis?