Advertisement
News

How Big Issue is helping millions of people through the cost of living crisis

Our annual impact report shows the impact Big Issue Group has had on vendors and millions more across the UK over the past 12 months

Support from Big Issue Group is helping millions of people through the cost of living crisis, a new report has found.

Overall, 7.4 million people in the UK were impacted by Big Issue Group’s systems of support or engaged with our products – an increase of 58% in a year.

The new figures published in the Big Issue Group annual impact report reveal that during 2022, we worked with 3,637 vendors – 876 of whom came to us to sell for the first time, a 10% increase in the total vendors on the previous year.

The men and women who earn a living with Big Issue buy magazines for £2 and sell them on for £4. More than two-thirds – 69% – of our new vendors in 2022 joined to make the Big issue their main or an important additional way to earn money. 

Overall, a staggering £3.76 million was earned by our vendors in 2022. This incredible amount of money goes directly into the pockets of the most marginalised people in the country.

We are helping sellers adapt to the changing economic landscape too. A total of 1,319 vendors have now been supported by our teams to accept contactless payments – 404 in 2022 alone – with 221 vendors provided with Zettle card readers and 205 smartphones given out. This means that 51% of vendors are able to accept cashless payments, which dramatically helps increase their sales.

Advertisement
Advertisement

The impact of Big Issue Group goes far beyond this magazine. Our mission is extended through Big Issue Invest’s investments into charities and social enterprises who are working hard to eradicate poverty. In 2022, Big Issue Invest funded and assisted 138 social enterprises and charities, who in turn have worked with over two million people. Almost two-thirds of investees are in areas of the highest deprivation.

The organisation has also innovated with ventures such as Big Issue Recruit (BIR), a person-centred recruitment service, dedicated to supporting people, including Big Issue vendors, who face barriers to work into sustainable employment. 

Lord Bird, Founder of the Big Issue, said: “There are currently 15m people trapped in poverty. Right now our work is needed more than ever with spiralling living costs, and continuing increases in poverty and hardship.

“In 2022, the number of Big Issue vendors increased by 10% because more people need an income or an additional source of income. We are fighting fires on all fronts but our report findings demonstrate that we are doing that well. Please keep backing us, whether that’s buying or subscribing to the magazine, buying a product from our online shop, or investing in us, so we can keep this support in place for those who need it.”

Your support changes lives. Find out how you can help us help more people by signing up for a subscription

The Big Issue exists to change lives through enterprise – and we could help you or someone you know. Whether that’s Big Issue Invest providing funding for an incredible new social enterprise or someone becoming a magazine vendor to make a little extra income, The Big Issue is here to help.

If you’d like more information about becoming a Big Issue vendor, click here.

If you would like to support our work – while supporting your local vendor – sign up for a subscription

Advertisement

Learn more about our impact

When most people think about the Big Issue, they think of vendors selling the Big Issue magazines on the streets – and we are immensely proud of this. In 2022 alone, we worked with 10% more vendors and these vendors earned £3.76 million in collective income. There is much more to the work we do at the Big Issue Group, our mission is to create innovative solutions through enterprise to unlock opportunity for the 14million people in the UK living in poverty.

Recommended for you

Read All
How can I help homeless people during a UK heatwave?
Homelessness

How can I help homeless people during a UK heatwave?

Up to 250,000 ‘forgotten’ unpaid young adult carers facing homelessness
Carers

Up to 250,000 ‘forgotten’ unpaid young adult carers facing homelessness

'Damaging' housing benefits are leaving low-income renters with nowhere to rent in England
RENTING

'Damaging' housing benefits are leaving low-income renters with nowhere to rent in England

Deliveroo is offering free meals to LGBTQ+ people facing homelessness
Pride Month

Deliveroo is offering free meals to LGBTQ+ people facing homelessness

Most Popular

Read All
Here's when people will get the next cost of living payment in 2023
1.

Here's when people will get the next cost of living payment in 2023

Strike dates 2023: From trains to airports to tube lines, here are the dates to know
2.

Strike dates 2023: From trains to airports to tube lines, here are the dates to know

Suranne Jones opens up about her 'relentless and terrifying' experiences of bullying
3.

Suranne Jones opens up about her 'relentless and terrifying' experiences of bullying

Arctic Monkeys team up with Big Issue to produce unique tour programme
4.

Arctic Monkeys team up with Big Issue to produce unique tour programme