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

Christmas chocolates that make a difference? Oh go on then... • Looking for a guilt-free stocking filler? Harry Specters is the gourmet chocolate company set up to provide employment and work experience for autistic people. You can save the diet for New Year

‘The important thing in darkness is that someone keeps the light on’ • Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe was imprisoned in Iran for six years on false charges of attempting to overthrow the Iranian regime. Her husband Richard Ratcliffe fought tirelessly for her release, which came in 2022. Her story has been adapted for TV, and now Richard writes about the value and power of kindness

YOUR LETTERS

Anti-social thinking

I’ve had good and bad Christmases, but Big Issue provided the biggest cheer

Nicola Sturgeon • The 16-year-old who nervously stepped into politics would be impressed by her future achievements... and appalled by her wardrobe

Uniting the Kingdom • How a reality TV show brought a fractured nation together in a year of anger and flux. PLUS Celebrity Traitors star Nick Mohammed on the moment we all held our breath

‘I love that Alan won. I just love it’ • The Celebrity Traitors star Nick Mohammed gives us the inside story of the year’s biggest TV moment

MY BIG YEAR AND BEYOND SARA COX

‘What I’ve seen here is kindness and friendship, not distrust’ • → Despite Shabana Mahmood’s draconian asylum overhaul, and a rise in anti-immigrant sentiment, these people who sought safety in Britain remain hopeful. They are determined to enjoy Christmas here... especially if it includes cracker jokes and Mariah on repeat

These girls are just like me, but international aid cuts are crushing their dreams. Now I fight for them

MY BIG YEAR • The Scottish star of Karen Pirie and The Ridge has had a big year. But she’ll definitely be getting the same Christmas present from her family again

Fairytale of New York

MY BIG YEAR • The presenter got emotional watching Oasis and is buzzing about launching her new podcast, but what she really enjoys is a good kip

Perfect Picnic

PAX: A FESTIVE TALE

Rowdy forest animals, cosmic questions and wig-loving goths – the kids’ books of 2025 have got it all

CBeebies panto is like Oasis for six-year-olds

Joe Wicks’ top tips for keeping kids active over Christmas

SAM DELANEY IS AT HOME

Darkness and light

MY BIG YEAR • He’s been freaky dancing across Europe with the reunited Happy Mondays, and shouldn’t worry since the work of being Bez is surely AI-proof

Quiz OF THE year • Delayed Gratification, the UK’s ‘slow journalism’ magazine, looks back on big events after the dust has settled and is proud to be ‘Last to Breaking News’. We asked the magazine’s editors to set us 12 questions on some of the news stories you may have missed.

Puzzles

MY PITCH ANDREW TRAYNOR, 5 4 • QUEEN STREET STATION, GLASGOW 11AM-3PM, FOUR DAYS A WEEK