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.

Santa, baby

THE DISPATCH

THE BIG ISSUE

Let’s keep the kindness going after Christmas is over

YOUR LETTERS

Time to find the joy

Is the government tough enough to rock the boat?

BEST OF LETTER TO MY YOUNGER SELF CHRISTMAS 2025 • Every week, Big Issue asks public figures to imagine a conversation with their 16-year-old selves. The results can sometimes be revelatory, other times inspirational; tears have been shed and laughs are had. Here are some highlights from 2025

RICHARD OSMAN AND MARINA HYDE • Podcast royalty The Rest is Entertainment’s year was a blur of help desks and slippers. Chocolate innovation awaits them in 2026

HOW BIG ISSUE GETS THE NATION TALKING

‘We hope that peace will prevail’

HELP MSF MEDICAL TEAMS PROVIDE URGENT CARE

MY BIG YEAR ROSIE JONES • Dreams came true for the comic this year as she wrote and starred in her own sitcom and launched The Rosie Jones Foundation. But nothing could top being a magazine cover star

MATT CHORLEY’S POLITICAL GIFT GUIDE • It’s been a year to forget for many of our politicians. Happily, the BBC Radio 5 Live presenter has drawn up an exclusive gift guide for the naughty, nice or just plain hopeless this Christmas

Gordon Brown, Arabella Weir and the banks of hope

‘Give me the money now’

MY BIG YEAR TIM KEY • Who’s that festive figure knocking back Christmas Day drinks and scribbling poems outside Costcutter? It’s only the star and writer of one of this year’s most acclaimed films, The Ballad of Wallis Island

City in the Snow

Books

MY BIG CULTURAL YEAR ADOLESCENCE

MY CULTURAL HIGHLIGHT OF THE YEAR • What famous figures think (besides Adolescence) has been the cultural highlight of the year

MY BIG CULTURAL YEAR ZOË LISTER • Her Jet2holidays ad voiceover inspired a viral TikTok meme (85 billion global views and counting) which was hijacked by the White House for a video promoting deportations. She publicly hit back at “Trump and his abhorrent policies”

Quizmas ALAN’S BIG CHRISTMAS QUIZ 2025 • Our resident trivia enthusiast and Pointless winner tests your festive knowledge

Puzzles

MY PITCH CHRISTMAS SPECIAL • Every Big Issue magazine starts and ends with a Big Issue vendor. They are at the heart of everything we do. And their wise words offer a fresh take on modern-day Britain from the streets. Here’s 2025’s best quotes from My Pitch