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
Amputee pensioner refused higher rate of disability benefit by DWP: ‘I couldn’t understand it’
Disability benefits

Amputee pensioner refused higher rate of disability benefit by DWP: ‘I couldn’t understand it’

How can I make money? Quick and easy ways to make extra cash online and offline
Cost of living crisis

How can I make money? Quick and easy ways to make extra cash online and offline

Woman became homeless after fleeing domestic abuse. Nobody helped when she slept on streets
Domestic abuse

Woman became homeless after fleeing domestic abuse. Nobody helped when she slept on streets

Women who are sleeping rough are often hidden. It’s a much bigger problem than anyone thinks
Homelessness

Women who are sleeping rough are often hidden. It’s a much bigger problem than anyone thinks

Rachel Reeves’ plan to ‘rebuild Britain’ applauded by experts – but can Labour offer real change?
Labour

Rachel Reeves’ plan to ‘rebuild Britain’ applauded by experts – but can Labour offer real change?

The Felix Project: How one charity is tackling food waste and hunger in London – and offering hope
Cost of living crisis

The Felix Project: How one charity is tackling food waste and hunger in London – and offering hope

Mum on universal credit felt ‘powerless’ watching her children cry as they were made homeless
End Housing Insecurity Now

Mum on universal credit felt ‘powerless’ watching her children cry as they were made homeless

Key public services are in bad shape across the board, say most Brits – with NHS faring the worst
Public services

Key public services are in bad shape across the board, say most Brits – with NHS faring the worst

Universal credit falls short of minimum living cost by £4,000 a year, experts warn
Cost of living crisis

Universal credit falls short of minimum living cost by £4,000 a year, experts warn

Government warned tougher benefit rules will cause ‘destitution’: ‘People are struggling’
Benefits

Government warned tougher benefit rules will cause ‘destitution’: ‘People are struggling’

National living wage to rise to £11 an hour – but experts say it’s not enough
National living wage

National living wage to rise to £11 an hour – but experts say it’s not enough

Here’s when people got the disability cost of living payment – and what to do if yours is missing
Cost of living crisis

Here’s when people got the disability cost of living payment – and what to do if yours is missing