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 is shortlisted for journalist of the year in the Scope Disability Awards 2024.
DWP could deny benefits to hundreds of thousands of disabled and ill people under new plans
Disability benefits

DWP could deny benefits to hundreds of thousands of disabled and ill people under new plans

How UK’s two-child benefit cap is trapping kids in poverty and pushing families to ‘breaking point’
Child poverty

How UK’s two-child benefit cap is trapping kids in poverty and pushing families to ‘breaking point’

Here’s when people will get the cold weather payment as temperatures drop below freezing
Cost of living crisis

Here’s when people will get the cold weather payment as temperatures drop below freezing

Rishi Sunak claims he’s going to cut taxes by tightening benefits. Here’s why it’ll backfire badly
Benefits

Rishi Sunak claims he’s going to cut taxes by tightening benefits. Here’s why it’ll backfire badly

Anger as energy firms allowed to resume force-fitting prepayment meters: ‘Cruel and dangerous’
Energy bills

Anger as energy firms allowed to resume force-fitting prepayment meters: ‘Cruel and dangerous’

Tories accused of playing Big Brother with bill giving DWP powers to ‘snoop’ on bank accounts
Department for Work and Pensions

Tories accused of playing Big Brother with bill giving DWP powers to ‘snoop’ on bank accounts

No excuse for shoplifting due to ‘generous’ UK benefits system, minister says. Here’s the reality
Cost of living crisis

No excuse for shoplifting due to ‘generous’ UK benefits system, minister says. Here’s the reality

Average UK household faces £17,200 of debt by 2026: ‘We can’t afford a Tory government any longer’
Cost of living crisis

Average UK household faces £17,200 of debt by 2026: ‘We can’t afford a Tory government any longer’

DWP benefits payment dates to expect in January 2024 – with changes over the New Year
Benefits

DWP benefits payment dates to expect in January 2024 – with changes over the New Year

New Year Honours list: Emilia Clarke and her mum made MBEs for setting up brain injury charity
New Year Honours

New Year Honours list: Emilia Clarke and her mum made MBEs for setting up brain injury charity

I was groomed by drug gangs and forced into slavery, aged 9. I’m lucky to have made it out alive
Modern slavery

I was groomed by drug gangs and forced into slavery, aged 9. I’m lucky to have made it out alive

Man left ‘suicidal’ and sacrificing food after being ‘harassed’ by debt collectors
Cost of living crisis

Man left ‘suicidal’ and sacrificing food after being ‘harassed’ by debt collectors