How one remarkable day in Westminster showed the power of the Big Issue to change lives

On Tuesday 19 May at 4.15pm, two key meetings took place in Westminster. 

At 10 Downing Street, Big Issue was invited to a reception to mark the Renters’ Rights Act coming into force. ‘No-fault’ evictions and fixed-term contracts have been abolished. Prospective tenants can’t be discriminated against because they receive benefits, and pets cannot be unreasonably refused.

These changes and more will improve the housing security of millions of people. We’ve been reporting on the big issues the act seeks to address since our inception 35 years ago, but especially since 2019 when then-PM Theresa May first announced the plan.

Read more:

• Renters’ Rights Act: Labour’s landmark rental reforms receive royal assent and finally become law
• Renters’ Rights Act: ‘For too long, families have lived with the constant fear of eviction’
• No one should face homelessness alone: How Dogs Trust keeps homeless people and their dogs together

Keeping pressure on the government to make good on those promises – as governments rose, fell, but mostly stumbled along – finally paid off. At the reception, current PM Keir Starmer called it “a tribute to you, Big Issue, for what you’ve done to make this happen”. His words not mine.

The Renters’ Rights Act won’t change everybody’s fortunes overnight. It’s a significant step in the right direction but gaps remain. One involves pets. They can’t be turned away from private lets, but the act doesn’t cover emergency or temporary housing. For the estimated one in four people experiencing homelessness who have a pet, this is a huge obstacle to them getting help.

Fortunately, we had our most persuasive colleagues on the case: Lucky Charm and Trigger. While reporters Isabella McRae and Lottie Elton were quizzing Starmer about what comes next, the pair of pooches were down the road on Parliament Square, joined by their owners, Big Issue vendors Andy Sanguy and Ian Duff. They were there to attend a session in parliament hosted by Street Paws (after taking part in this week’s cover shoot), petitioning the government to make sure nobody has to choose between a safe place to stay and their pet.

In the Jubilee Room, their speeches moved the audience of hard-nosed politicians and seasoned campaigners. And we’ll be doggedly keeping track of progress to make sure nobody is forced to choose between a roof over their head and their pet.

From vendors with lived experience of homelessness speaking in the houses of parliament, to interviewing the prime minister, that Tuesday afternoon demonstrated the scope and influence of Big Issue; holding the powerful to account, amplifying often overlooked voices that bring a vital perspective.

Every week we put together a magazine that – we hope – gives vendors the best chance of making a sale and encouraging readers to buy another copy the next week. Every purchase makes a direct, positive difference to the life of the person selling. But journalism too can have a positive social impact. We don’t just report on change, we can help make it happen.

More than a magazine, Big Issue is a movement. The numbers from our recent impact report back this up. Last year, 3,316 vendors earned a total of £3.3 million. Just as important as the income, 76% of vendors reported an improvement in their mental health after receiving our support. 

Then there’s Big Issue Recruit (BIR), which helps people overcome barriers they face to enter the job market. Last year, 520 new candidates were supported, with 194 starting new employment opportunities. For every £1 spent, BIR generated £5.90 in social value. And our social investment arm, Big Issue Invest, now manages £61.8 million across 139 organisations, supporting 1.9 million people across the country.

So much of this work is driven by you. By buying this magazine, you’ve already joined our mission to end poverty. Welcome aboard.

Steven MacKenzie is editor of Big Issue. Read more of his writing here. 

Do you have a story to tell or opinions to share about this? Get in touch and tell us more. 

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