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.

THE DISPATCH

The Big Issue

MPs rack up huge rent expenses while cutting essential benefits

YOUR LETTERS

It’s time for heated conversations on the cost of energy

Painting a positive picture

Marie Kondo • Her childhood tidying obsession made her a global icon, with bestsellers and a hit TV show. Since becoming a mother she’s embraced imperfection

MY BIG YEAR KATHERINE DEVLIN • The Blue Lights star prefers Charli to Taylor and loves Alan Carr. You’ll always find her up late looking out for her tribe

Santa’s good boys and girls

For tenants, a dog can finally now be for life • Owning a pet could once have put renters on a collision course with their landlords. But those days are over. New legislation protects tenants and their pets from being hounded out

What price the unconditional love of a pet?

‘She’s got a better wardrobe than me’

Where is ‘home’ for a dog? • Professor Andrew Gardiner, senior lecturer at The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, has run an outreach vet clinic in Edinburgh for 15 years. He got in touch to tell us about a big issue facing the people and pets he meets

Could AI pets fight loneliness?

The sound of silence

Will you send a Christmas card this year?

MY BIG YEAR ELIS JAMES AND JOHN ROBINS • Described (by themselves) as ‘Britain’s youngest and most relevant podcast-first broadcasters’, they sold out the Palladium. Now they just need to sort out chips and chargers

BIG ISSUE’S CHANGEMAKERS OF 2026 • FINAL CALL FOR NOMINATIONS Celebrate the Changemakers creating a better Britain!

The Windows Are the Eyes to the House

Hex factor

Anthropomorphise this

Cheryl Fergison ‘People think, you’re on the television, you’ve got loads of money coming in’

Pantomime villain

The swimmers still game for a freezing dip this Christmas

LUCY SWEET ON TV

I like these songs and I cannot lie

‘We reviewed Tom Kerridge’s Fish & Chips and the channel blew up’

MY BIG YEAR MATT FORDE • He’s survived bone cancer, written and voiced Spitting Image and was an adviser to Tony Blair’s government. And he’s still mad for it

Quizmas • ALAN’S BIG QUESTIONS (ANIMALS)

Puzzles

MY PITCH NATHAN DALE, 30 • MANCHESTER PICCADILLY RAILWAY STATION MONDAY-SUNDAY 11AM-6PM