Advertisement
News

How Big Issue is helping millions of people through the cost of living crisis

Our annual impact report shows the impact Big Issue Group has had on vendors and millions more across the UK over the past 12 months

Support from Big Issue Group is helping millions of people through the cost of living crisis, a new report has found.

Overall, 7.4 million people in the UK were impacted by Big Issue Group’s systems of support or engaged with our products – an increase of 58% in a year.

The new figures published in the Big Issue Group annual impact report reveal that during 2022, we worked with 3,637 vendors – 876 of whom came to us to sell for the first time, a 10% increase in the total vendors on the previous year.

The men and women who earn a living with Big Issue buy magazines for £2 and sell them on for £4. More than two-thirds – 69% – of our new vendors in 2022 joined to make the Big issue their main or an important additional way to earn money. 

Overall, a staggering £3.76 million was earned by our vendors in 2022. This incredible amount of money goes directly into the pockets of the most marginalised people in the country.

We are helping sellers adapt to the changing economic landscape too. A total of 1,319 vendors have now been supported by our teams to accept contactless payments – 404 in 2022 alone – with 221 vendors provided with Zettle card readers and 205 smartphones given out. This means that 51% of vendors are able to accept cashless payments, which dramatically helps increase their sales.

Advertisement
Advertisement

The impact of Big Issue Group goes far beyond this magazine. Our mission is extended through Big Issue Invest’s investments into charities and social enterprises who are working hard to eradicate poverty. In 2022, Big Issue Invest funded and assisted 138 social enterprises and charities, who in turn have worked with over two million people. Almost two-thirds of investees are in areas of the highest deprivation.

The organisation has also innovated with ventures such as Big Issue Recruit (BIR), a person-centred recruitment service, dedicated to supporting people, including Big Issue vendors, who face barriers to work into sustainable employment. 

Lord Bird, Founder of the Big Issue, said: “There are currently 15m people trapped in poverty. Right now our work is needed more than ever with spiralling living costs, and continuing increases in poverty and hardship.

“In 2022, the number of Big Issue vendors increased by 10% because more people need an income or an additional source of income. We are fighting fires on all fronts but our report findings demonstrate that we are doing that well. Please keep backing us, whether that’s buying or subscribing to the magazine, buying a product from our online shop, or investing in us, so we can keep this support in place for those who need it.”

Your support changes lives. Find out how you can help us help more people by signing up for a subscription

The Big Issue exists to change lives through enterprise – and we could help you or someone you know. Whether that’s Big Issue Invest providing funding for an incredible new social enterprise or someone becoming a magazine vendor to make a little extra income, The Big Issue is here to help.

If you’d like more information about becoming a Big Issue vendor, click here.

If you would like to support our work – while supporting your local vendor – sign up for a subscription

Advertisement

Change a vendor's life this Christmas

This Christmas, 3.8 million people across the UK will be facing extreme poverty. Thousands of those struggling will turn to selling the Big Issue as a vital source of income - they need your support to earn and lift themselves out of poverty.

Recommended for you

Read All
Ghosts star Charlotte Ritchie: 'It's a tragedy people can't afford their essentials'
Charlotte Ritchie at Trussell food bank
Food banks

Ghosts star Charlotte Ritchie: 'It's a tragedy people can't afford their essentials'

'We'll have to get more militant': The real winners and losers from the farm inheritance tax debate
a tractor in a field
Farming

'We'll have to get more militant': The real winners and losers from the farm inheritance tax debate

Housing minister admits Labour's 1.5 million homes promise will be 'more difficult than expected'
Labour housing minister Matthew Pennycook
Housebuilding

Housing minister admits Labour's 1.5 million homes promise will be 'more difficult than expected'

Energy bills have pushed UK inflation to 2.3% – and we need 'bold' thinking to bring it back down
Stacks of twenty pound notes at the bank of england
Inflation

Energy bills have pushed UK inflation to 2.3% – and we need 'bold' thinking to bring it back down

Most Popular

Read All
Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits
Renters: A mortgage lender's window advertising buy-to-let products
1.

Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal
Pound coins on a piece of paper with disability living allowancve
2.

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over
next dwp cost of living payment 2023
3.

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over

Citroën Ami: the tiny electric vehicle driving change with The Big Issue
4.

Citroën Ami: the tiny electric vehicle driving change with The Big Issue