Kids living in poverty is up 100k in year
Meg’s first role back on screen is narrating Disney elephants show
DISGRACE Children suffer
THE number of children living in poverty in the UK has risen by 100,000 in the past year to 4.2 million.
And experts warned the Covid-19 crisis will make it worse, with 500,000 people applying for Universal Credit in just nine days.
The Department for Work and Pensions said the number of low-income households rose to 14.5 million in 2018/19, from 14 million the year before.
Imran Hussain, of Action for Children, said: “Some families have already got so desperate, our frontline staff are feeding them from their own cupboards.”
Work and Pensions Secretary Therese Coffey said the Government is “wholly committed to supporting the lowest paid families”.
Meghan does voice-over for new family flick
Film follows herd on journey
THE Duchess of Sussex is returning to TV work as the narrator of a Disney wildlife documentary.
Former Suits actress Meghan, 38, recorded her voice-over for Elephant in a London studio last autumn.
And it is out on streaming service Disney+ on April 3 – three days after she and hubby Prince Harry, 35, officially cease to be senior royals.
Meghan was rumoured to have signed a multi-film deal with Disney to star in a superhero film or animation. But royal aides rubbished those claims last night.
The Sussexes have told of wanting to be financially independent after they quit The Firm – and promised the Queen not to trade on their titles.
But Meghan’s first postroyal role comes amid controversy after Harry was recorded last year bigging up her voice skills to Disney chief Bob Iger.
Announcing the documentary yesterday, Disney tweeted: “Elephant, an Original Movie narrated by Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex.”
The film follows African elephant Shani and son Jomo as their herd journeys across the Kalahari Desert.
A royal source said: “It’s a great documentary, one families forced to stay in due to the coronavirus lockdowns will look forward to watching. It’s also the
Harry and Disney boss Iger last July
Duchess’s first job after leaving the Royal Family. With such a well-known studio as Disney, the sky’s the limit.”
Meghan was asked to take on the Elephant role by filmmakers Mark and Vanessa Berlowitz. As payment, Disney is making a donation to charity Elephants Without Borders – which the Sussexes have been involved with.
Meghan landed the part after footage at the Lion King premiere last July showed Harry point to her and tell Disney boss Mr Iger: “You do know she does voice-overs?” Mr Iger replies “Ah, I did not” and Harry says: “You seem surprised, she’s really interested.”
Mr Iger is later heard saying: “We’d love to try. That’s a great idea.”
The Sussexes, who are currently isolating in a £10million rented mansion on Vancouver Island during the Covid-19 crisis, revealed their plans to step back from royal life and live in North America last November.
Weeks after vowing not to trade on their titles, they were blasted for appearing at an event in February hosted by investment banking giant JP Morgan, at which Harry gave a speech about mental health.
ROYAL SOURCE ON ROLE IN DISNEY DOCUMENTARY
It’s the Duchess’s first job after leaving the royals
The documentary is out on studio’s new streaming service Disney+ on April 3