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’s uncertainty over future of PIP leaves benefit claimants in fear: ‘What’s going to happen to me?’
Benefits

DWP’s uncertainty over future of PIP leaves benefit claimants in fear: ‘What’s going to happen to me?’

Rachel Reeves promises ‘no return to austerity’ amid fears of cuts to benefits in autumn budget
Social Justice

Rachel Reeves promises ‘no return to austerity’ amid fears of cuts to benefits in autumn budget

Hundreds of thousands of universal credit claimants forced into destitution by DWP ‘deductions’
Universal credit

Hundreds of thousands of universal credit claimants forced into destitution by DWP ‘deductions’

UK inflation holds at 2.2% – but it’s still a bleak picture for poorer people and benefit claimants
Cost of living crisis

UK inflation holds at 2.2% – but it’s still a bleak picture for poorer people and benefit claimants

Poor, sick and disabled pensioners to lose winter fuel payment: ‘We are incredibly worried’
Winter fuel payment

Poor, sick and disabled pensioners to lose winter fuel payment: ‘We are incredibly worried’

Domestic abuse survivor had ‘no chance’ of reuniting with kids as council flat was too small
Care system

Domestic abuse survivor had ‘no chance’ of reuniting with kids as council flat was too small

Designer and activist Katharine Hamnett on fast fashion, the planet and photobombing Thatcher
Second hand September

Designer and activist Katharine Hamnett on fast fashion, the planet and photobombing Thatcher

Women in North of England live shorter lives, more likely to be in poverty and work harder for less
The North

Women in North of England live shorter lives, more likely to be in poverty and work harder for less

DWP says there’s ‘more learning to do’ as every MP given book on deaths of disabled benefit claimants
Department for Work and Pensions

DWP says there’s ‘more learning to do’ as every MP given book on deaths of disabled benefit claimants

‘This will only intensify’: Millions of pensioners at risk of serious illness due to UK heatwaves
Heatwave

‘This will only intensify’: Millions of pensioners at risk of serious illness due to UK heatwaves

I have worn second hand clothes my whole life. I don’t know why anyone would shop new
Second hand September

I have worn second hand clothes my whole life. I don’t know why anyone would shop new

Elderly people’s lives in danger without winter fuel payment, Labour warned: ‘This is a mistake’
Winter fuel payment

Elderly people’s lives in danger without winter fuel payment, Labour warned: ‘This is a mistake’