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
Young disabled people are shut out from housing and forced to live with their parents
Disability

Young disabled people are shut out from housing and forced to live with their parents

This mega charity shop is changing the way we think about fast fashion
Charity

This mega charity shop is changing the way we think about fast fashion

Disabled people fear ‘cruel sanctions’ as Spring Budget aims to drive people back to work
Spring Budget

Disabled people fear ‘cruel sanctions’ as Spring Budget aims to drive people back to work

John McAvoy was one of Britain’s most wanted criminals. Now he’s an athlete changing the lives of vulnerable young people
Sport

John McAvoy was one of Britain’s most wanted criminals. Now he’s an athlete changing the lives of vulnerable young people

Here is what Jeremy Hunt’s Spring Statement will mean for your bank balance
Cost of living crisis

Here is what Jeremy Hunt’s Spring Statement will mean for your bank balance

This AI-generated cookbook has thousands of recipes to help you use up those reduced items
Cost of living crisis

This AI-generated cookbook has thousands of recipes to help you use up those reduced items

This food bank with a DJ is helping London’s homeless and vulnerable
Cost of living crisis

This food bank with a DJ is helping London’s homeless and vulnerable

41,000 vulnerable households had their energy debt written off in Catalonia. Is the UK government listening?
Cost of living crisis

41,000 vulnerable households had their energy debt written off in Catalonia. Is the UK government listening?

Is universal credit enough to live on? Here’s why experts say the April increase is ‘too little, too late’
Benefits

Is universal credit enough to live on? Here’s why experts say the April increase is ‘too little, too late’

What’s it like living in rural Scotland during the cost of living crisis?
Cost of living crisis

What’s it like living in rural Scotland during the cost of living crisis?

Turnips and working more hours? Food bank workers say Thérèse Coffey is ‘living on a different planet’
Cost of living crisis

Turnips and working more hours? Food bank workers say Thérèse Coffey is ‘living on a different planet’

One in five people in the UK’s wealthiest areas can’t afford food or pay their bills
Cost of living crisis

One in five people in the UK’s wealthiest areas can’t afford food or pay their bills