The Big Issue

The Big Issue is one of Britain’s leading news and cultural magazines. Every week’s edition is packed full of original takes on the biggest issues of the day as well as interviews with the most significant figures in politics and entertainment. The Big Issue was founded 1991 to give people experiencing homelessness the opportunity to earn their own income. We continue to support hundreds of vendors across the UK and all proceeds from sales go to help anyone wanting to lift themselves out of poverty.

Spark of protest

THE DISPATCH • News, views & miscellany

THE BIG ISSUE

EDITOR’S LETTER • Milking the generational divide

BIRD’S WORDS • Times have changed since we launched – we have to move with them to end homelessness

LETTERS

Alex Yee • Alex Yee MBE is an Olympic gold-winning triathlete. Carrying the flag for the closing ceremony in Paris was a high point of his year, but his biggest wish would be to give his girlfriend’s dog one last high-five.

FAIRYTALE OF BARRY ISLAND • The last-ever episode of Gavin & Stacey will be the festive TV event that brings the nation together. Speaking only to Big Issue, creators and stars Ruth Jones and James Corden reveal what’s occurring, and how they plan to bring nearly 20 years of finding comedy joy in the everyday to an end

‘Where would we put a Christmas tree?’ • For thousands of families living in temporary accommodation this Christmas, there is only room at the inn. Big Issue met a family in Oldham to hear about life at the sharp end of one of 2024’s most overlooked crises

How can you make Christmas magical on the two-child benefit cap?

A CLEARER VISION THIS CHRISTMAS WITH BIG ISSUE AND SPECSAVERS • Specsavers is partnering with Big Issue, Crisis and Vision Care For Homeless People to make real change this Christmas and beyond.

The bad news cycle has been relentless this year. But there is a better way

SOPHIE ELLISBEXTOR • She won the heart of the nation for getting us through lockdown with her Kitchen Disco. Next, she’s seeing us into the New Year

MOVING RAPID

Megalomaniac rabbits, anarchic dictionaries and lessons for young men. The kids’ books of 2024 will set curious minds racing

The lifelong magic of children’s books

The snow must go on

HOW WE GET READY FOR CHRISTMAS

SAME DELANEY IS AT HOME

Myrrhder on the dancefloor: who will triumph in the race for Christmas No 1?

Harry Clark • The winner of The Traitors second series has big questions to ask about his family tree. But what he really wants to know is whether anyone reading has any spare Oasis tickets.

Puzzles

MY PITCH • Marks & Spencer, Union Square, Aberdeen Every day (except Wednesday) 9am-1pm