Big Issue North magazine will maintain its increased fixed price to help publishers weather the cost of living crisis and meet rising production costs. The weekly magazine is now available for £4 and available from your local retailers.
Over the Christmas period, sellers bought Big Issue North from our regional offices at £2 per magazine and sold it to readers at £4, keeping the money they made. That means sellers will pocket £2 for every magazine sold – an extra 50p compared to previous prices. This price is now permanent.
With the cost of living rising for everyone, Big Issue North’s providers are among those facing increasingly precarious situations. People like her, with low and variable incomes, are the least able to withstand rising bills and food costs. The average Big Issue North vendor makes around £60 a week and many have no other source of income. The impact of just a week of poor sales can be devastating, especially for those supporting families or paying rent.
“I do what I can. But it’s hard. I’m here on my pitch every day, outside in all weathers, trying to make enough money,” explains Justin, a salesman based in St Ann’s Square, Manchester.
Justin has sold the magazine for the past four years. He recently lost his rented apartment because he couldn’t handle the expenses anymore: “I got some rent support but I couldn’t afford things like bills so I had to give them up. It was just too much. I’m back to B&Bs and staying with friends. Floating everywhere – it really depends on the day.”
Justin’s story is one we’re hearing more and more often. By increasing their income with every sale, we can give sellers like Justin a better chance of making it financially.
In addition, a number of factors have increased the magazine’s printing and production costs.
“Our suppliers are people who are often among the most marginalized people in the UK with limited access to regular employment opportunities. Their opportunities to earn an income are limited because of their personal circumstances,” says Roli Barker, director of Big Issue North.
“In addition, a number of factors have increased the magazine’s printing and production costs. Increasing the selling price of our magazine was a difficult decision, especially in the current financial crisis, but we urge people to keep buying a magazine and to support our sellers where possible. Every sale truly makes a difference to them, now more than ever.”
Big Issue North was established as a street paper in 1992 to provide an opportunity for people affected by homelessness to earn an income and lift themselves out of poverty. We became a charity in 1996 and expanded our range of support to include housing, money, education, health and work – things that everyone faces but are made much worse by poverty, inequality and insecurity.
Today we work with around 300 vendors every week and help them earn an income by offering the magazine they sell to the public. Anyone can sell Big Issue North and we are actively recruiting new vendors in the North. We are here for anyone who needs support – everyone has the right to work their way out of poverty and deserves to be helped along the way.
