Isabella McRae

United Kingdom

Senior Reporter at The Big Issue

Senior reporter @BigIssue covering social justice | [email protected]

Articles

Sam Thompson on his mammoth 260-mile challenge for Soccer Aid

2 days ago | bigissue.com | Isabella McRae

Sign the Big Issue petition calling for a Poverty Zero law Social Justice Reality TV star Sam Thompson speaks to the Big Issue about why he is undertaking an immense challenge to run and cycle 260 miles for UNICEF This is the year that former Made in Chelsea stars are changing the world – at least a little – by running too many miles, tugging at the nation’s hearts and raising enormous amounts of money for good causes.
Disability benefit cuts 'impossible to support', Starmer told by his own MPs

1 week ago | bigissue.com | Isabella McRae

Our 2024 'working to end poverty' impact report is out! Politics Labour MPs are rebelling against the government's plans for disability benefit cuts. The Big Issue got in touch to ask them why Labour MPs have called on Keir Starmer to halt plans for disability benefit cuts, warning that the “pain and suffering” they cause vulnerable people will not lead to the savings hoped for and could prove “utterly pointless”.
Would reversing winter fuel payment cuts be enough to restore trust in Labour?

1 week ago | bigissue.com | Isabella McRae

Politics Labour ministers were reportedly rethinking winter fuel payment cuts in the aftermath of local election results. Experts weigh in about whether this move is enough to regain voters' trust Labour leaders face a sticky situation: voters are unhappy. Disappointing results in the local elections last week shone a light on grim public opinion of the party, which less than a year ago won the general election by a landslide. Labour councillors claimed just 99 seats and lost 187.
Labour warned against 'politically toxic' disability benefit cuts

1 week ago | bigissue.com | Isabella McRae

Social Justice Researchers at the New Economics Foundation have challenged Labour's justification for cutting disability benefits, finding that the numbers of claims have increased because health in the UK has worsened and hardship has increased Disability benefit cuts could prove to be as “politically toxic” for Labour as the winter fuel payment, a leading think tank has warned, as new research challenges the government’s justification for reducing access to benefits.
UK risks 'sleepwalking into crisis' with cashless society

1 week ago | bigissue.com | Isabella McRae

Money A new report from the Treasury Committee has found that vulnerable people are most at risk as society becomes increasingly cashless. It is calling for better monitoring and regulation of cash acceptance “CARD ONLY. NO CASH ACCEPTED,” a sign reads on the shop door. Most of us walk in without a second thought – we don’t carry cash anyway. But for some people, particularly vulnerable people, this cashless space shuts them out. It is another place they are made to feel unwelcome.
Women in the North missing out on £158m in wages every week

1 week ago | bigissue.com | Isabella McRae

Social Justice Women in the North are earning less, living shorter lives and are more likely to be out of work due to long-term sickness than women living in other parts of England, according to Health Equity North's latest figures Women in the North of England are more likely to be unable to work due to long-term sickness and disability and are missing out on a total of £158 million in wages every week compared to other areas of England, a new report has found.
The Traitors' Ash Bibi on fleeing home for a women's refuge at 16

1 week ago | bigissue.com | Isabella McRae

Social Justice Ash Bibi is best known for her stint on the second season of BBC One's The Traitors – as an infamous traitor. But she wants to speak out about her experiences fleeing violence at home as a child to help others find hope Ash Bibi is fizzing with life and laughter when she joins the video call. She is about to go on a solo trip to Mexico for her 47th birthday – but before that, the Traitors star wanted to make time for our conversation.
My Master Builder review – it's the women who shine in Ewan McGregor's West End return

2 weeks ago | bigissue.com | Isabella McRae

Theatre My Master Builder, a new play at Wyndham’s theatre in London's West End, offers audiences an emotionally-charged two hours in the Hamptons It is a striking set: the towering skeleton of a modern architectural masterpiece dominates the stage, partially obscuring the sand and sea further ahead. This imposing structure – the Hamptons home of a wealthy couple – looms like a cage ready to release its secrets. And tonight, we are given the chance to enter their unhappy world.
Food banks receiving donations from supermarkets 'not fit to eat'

2 weeks ago | bigissue.com | Isabella McRae

Social Justice After research found that 91% of food bank workers have had to discard of donated food, volunteers and charity leaders share their experience with the Big Issue Would you eat “rotten” and “emulsifying” fruit and vegetables? How about a canned “pork and potato concoction”? What would you do with 12 turkeys frozen together, two crates of brandy cream, and four bin bags full of doughnuts?
UK could save billions by ending hunger – not slashing benefits

2 weeks ago | bigissue.com | Isabella McRae

Social Justice Researchers found that the UK government could save billions if it scrapped the two-child limit, raised universal credit so people can afford the essentials and simplified the social security system. Instead, the government is planning to cut disability benefits which could plunge thousands into further hardship Ending hunger and hardship would save the UK economy more than £75 billion each year, according to a groundbreaking new report.