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
DWP payment dates in April 2025: When you will get your benefits this month
Benefits

DWP payment dates in April 2025: When you will get your benefits this month

DWP ‘work coach shortage’ could undermine Labour’s bid to help disabled people into work
Department for Work and Pensions

DWP ‘work coach shortage’ could undermine Labour’s bid to help disabled people into work

Child poverty hits new record high – before Labour benefit cuts will push 50,000 more into hardship
Child poverty

Child poverty hits new record high – before Labour benefit cuts will push 50,000 more into hardship

250,000 people will be plunged into poverty by benefit cuts, DWP analysis reveals
Disability benefits

250,000 people will be plunged into poverty by benefit cuts, DWP analysis reveals

Rachel Reeves doubles down on welfare cuts in Spring Statement: ‘This is change for the worse’
Spring Statement

Rachel Reeves doubles down on welfare cuts in Spring Statement: ‘This is change for the worse’

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’