Big Issue

This week's issue is out now! Inside: ⭐ Jeff Goldblum on Wicked and music ⛪ Could fixing up forgotten churches help solve the housing crisis? 💷 How to crisis-proof your finances Buy a copy from your local vendor and head to the comments for a teaser 🗞️

🚨 This week’s Spring Statement was a “massive missed opportunity” to implement a wealth tax, economists and campaigners have warned. Economists told Big Issue that a wealth tax could generate as much as £24 billion a year – five times the £4.8bn Rachel Reeves expects to save from welfare cuts annually. Read more in comments ⬇️

A record 4.5 million children in the UK are living in poverty, government data has revealed, a day after the chancellor doubled down on welfare cuts which will push tens of thousands more into poverty. 📈 This is an increase from 3.6 million in 2010-2011 and means that more than one in three children in the UK are now experiencing poverty. ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/ePhbUKNJ

"They feel like they can be themselves. They don't have to be the gran, they don't have to be the carer..." 💫 Meet Carl. His journey from challenging beginnings to creating Living in Fitness will remind you why social enterprise matters. In his classes, older adults don't just exercise – they find community, joy and purpose. And now, with an electric Citroën UK ë-Berlingo Van through our partnership, his mission has wheels! 🚐 Watch Carl's story and see what happens when we support passionate people with the right tools. #PeopleFirstBusiness #CommunityHeroes #DrivingChangeForGood #NewCitroenEBerlingoVan #Ad

Big Issue Founder John Bird's column is now on LinkedIn. Subscribe below to get your weekly dose.

For all Reeves’ talk of tough choices, the tough choices haven’t even begun for those who will be affected by today’s announcement. The additional freeze to the health element of Universal Credit will undoubtedly force more people to decide between heating and eating, which is a choice no one should have to make. Big Issue is calling for a Poverty Zero law that would prevent governments from making and enforcing policy choices that threatened to increase poverty long-term. Email your MP about making Poverty Zero a reality ➡️ https://bit.ly/4cfs8sQ #SpringStatement #EndPoverty #PovertyZero

⚠️ The government's own impact assessment on the welfare cuts announced today finds that they will drive 250,000 more people, including 50,000 children, into poverty. Our founder John Bird reacts:

Our partnership with Citroën UK helps social enterprise fight isolation in older adults. Through our Driving Change for Good initiative with Citroën UK, we've provided fitness instructor Carl Davis with an electric ë-Berlingo Van. 🚐⚡ Carl's social enterprise, Living in Fitness, helps over-50s maintain independence through exercise classes. With the van, he's expanded his reach, welcoming 10 new participants recently. 💬 "It's given me freedom to grow my business without compromising my family's needs," says Carl. This is social investment in action - supporting entrepreneurs addressing critical community needs.👏 Read the full story here: https://lnkd.in/e54V-xnv #SocialEnterprise #DrivingChangeForGood #Ad #NewCitroenEBerlingoVan

The government's benefits reforms come from "a place of suspicion and closure," writes Big Issue editor Paul McNamee 📝 The unpopular decision to take money from society's poorest is a lost opportunity for this government to show a little bravery 💷 👇 https://lnkd.in/eDREDTWa

📢 More #hiring news! We're looking for a Senior Management Accountant 👇 Join Big Issue Group and help drive financial strategy for Big Issue Invest, our social investment arm. We're looking for a qualified ACA/ACCA accountant to provide financial business partnering, shape strategy, and enable impactful investment decisions. 💰 Salary: £60,000 - £75,000 📍 Location: Finsbury Park, London (Hybrid) 📅 Apply by: 12th April 2025 Be part of a team investing to end poverty and inequality in the UK. Apply now. Link in comments 🔽 #Hiring #FinanceJobs #SocialImpact