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 extremely nervous’: Here’s what Labour’s autumn budget might mean for benefit claimants
Autumn budget

‘We’re extremely nervous’: Here’s what Labour’s autumn budget might mean for benefit claimants

Criminal gangs are taking control of vulnerable people’s homes and using them as drug dens
Crime

Criminal gangs are taking control of vulnerable people’s homes and using them as drug dens

‘We’re the forgotten ones’: Labour budget must not ignore ‘broken’ social care system, families say
Social care

‘We’re the forgotten ones’: Labour budget must not ignore ‘broken’ social care system, families say

No mention of two-child limit on benefits in Labour’s ‘ambitious’ child poverty strategy
Child poverty

No mention of two-child limit on benefits in Labour’s ‘ambitious’ child poverty strategy

‘We’re stepping in to help kids eat’: Schools forced to dip into their own budgets to feed pupils
Child poverty

‘We’re stepping in to help kids eat’: Schools forced to dip into their own budgets to feed pupils

Children across the UK are living in ‘Dickensian conditions’ due to sky-high energy bills
Energy bills

Children across the UK are living in ‘Dickensian conditions’ due to sky-high energy bills

Universal credit is not enough for single parents like me – I’m relying on food banks to survive
Universal credit

Universal credit is not enough for single parents like me – I’m relying on food banks to survive

Government is ‘excluding’ disadvantaged kids from free childcare. It could trap them in poverty
Free childcare

Government is ‘excluding’ disadvantaged kids from free childcare. It could trap them in poverty

Axing ‘cruel’ two-child benefit cap would reduce cost of poverty by over £3bn
Two-child benefit cap

Axing ‘cruel’ two-child benefit cap would reduce cost of poverty by over £3bn

DWP still ‘considering’ PIP changes amid speculation on future of disability benefit reform
Disability benefits

DWP still ‘considering’ PIP changes amid speculation on future of disability benefit reform

‘It’s disastrous’: Furious pensioners call on government to reverse winter fuel payment cuts
Winter fuel payment

‘It’s disastrous’: Furious pensioners call on government to reverse winter fuel payment cuts

UK’s shock fall in inflation means benefits increase of ‘just a few pounds’ next year
Inflation

UK’s shock fall in inflation means benefits increase of ‘just a few pounds’ next year