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
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’

Single mum with disabled children told to pay DWP back £17,000 in benefit overpayments
Benefit overpayments

Single mum with disabled children told to pay DWP back £17,000 in benefit overpayments

No update on future of household support fund until autumn budget, DWP minister says
Household support fund

No update on future of household support fund until autumn budget, DWP minister says

Disabled people’s health is ‘shockingly neglected’ in UK, research finds as Paralympics begins
Disability rights

Disabled people’s health is ‘shockingly neglected’ in UK, research finds as Paralympics begins

‘My heart burns’: Three years after fall of Kabul, Afghan women share stories of escape and hope
Afghanistan

‘My heart burns’: Three years after fall of Kabul, Afghan women share stories of escape and hope

Keir Starmer defends scrapping winter fuel payment for pensioners not on benefits
Winter fuel payment

Keir Starmer defends scrapping winter fuel payment for pensioners not on benefits