The government has responded to questions about support available for people with autism and dyslexia

The government has outlined the assistance available to individuals with autism and dyslexia who are navigating the UK justice system – including those attending courts and tribunals. Ministers have faced questions over what provisions are in place.

This week, the government set out the support on offer for people with both conditions. The Ministry of Justice released a statement after Cat Smith, Labour MP for Lancaster and Wyre, asked what measures were being taken to assist those with autism or dyslexia within the justice system.

Sarah Sackman, Minister of State at the Ministry of Justice, responded by saying: “HM Courts and Tribunal Service (HMCTS) has a legal duty under the Equality Act 2010 to provide reasonable adjustments for users with disabilities, including dyslexia.

“HMCTS supports court and tribunal users with dyslexia and autism through its reasonable adjustment process.” She then outlined the types of reasonable adjustments that can be made available to assist users with dyslexia and or autism.

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This is the complete list of 10 measures she detailed:

• allowing a close relative or carer to accompany the person;
• providing our guidance in audio or easy read;
• allowing more time to explain procedures;
• fully or partially remote hearings; and,
• providing our forms in Alternative formats such as large print;
• speaking slowly and allowing extra time to answer.
• consider appointing an intermediary to help communication;
• offering to read forms and leaflets out to our users;
• explanations and instructions given slowly and clearly;
• allowing more time in hearings;

The minister added: “HMCTS is a member of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower network to help people visiting court and tribunal buildings who may need additional support. Users who choose to wear the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower are discreetly indicating they need additional support, help or a little more time.

“Court and tribunal staff know how to recognise the Sunflower lanyard and may ask what we can do to help. Sunflower lanyards are available in all our buildings free of charge. Users are encouraged to contact HMCTS to discuss any particular adjustments so that the support can be tailored to their individual needs. Staff will sensitively ask those needing reasonable adjustments what support they need.

“The Equal Treatment Bench Book, published by Judicial College (Equal Treatment Bench Book – Courts and Tribunals Judiciary) contains guidance on fair treatment, equality issues and general information on disability issues and religion for judges. It includes information on dyslexia and autism and how to support court and tribunal users.”

Children with neurodivergence in court system in UK

The Youth Justice Institute says on its website: “Children with neurodivergence often face unique challenges that are overlooked or misunderstood in many systems, including education, health, and youth justice. Their needs require specialised understanding and support to prevent misdiagnosis, exclusion, or criminalisation.”

In a blog on the gov.uk website published in 2021, a probation worker explained some of the workings around the court system for people with conditions such as autism and dyslexia. The worker, named only as Laura, said: “Neurodivergent individuals often struggle in unfamiliar environments, this is because their brain processes, functions and interprets information differently from a ‘neurotypical’ brain. So, the court setting, and the fact that the probation service become involved very quickly after they’ve been convicted of an offence can be very stressful for them.

“When I meet offenders for the first time, it is not always apparent if they have a neurodivergent condition such as Autism, ADHD, or dyslexia and they may require additional support. Although committing a crime is completely unacceptable, those with learning difficulties often offend due to their own vulnerabilities.

“I work in the local Crown Court where my role is to interview offenders and work with agencies such as social care, police and prison to gather all the information I need to complete a pre-sentence report. These reports provide information about the offence, how the offender feels about their actions, and their background which helps the judge to consider either a custodial sentence or a community sentence.

“The interviews help us to pick up on any speech or communication difficulties. We then quickly adapt our interview style by offering reassurance and making sure they understand the process. Our reports must be accurate, so it’s important we give them the support and help they need to give us the right information.”

The British Dyslexia Association has guidance for people with the condition using the court system.

The National Autistic Society has guidance for people with autism involved with the courts here.

Orlando Bloom has shared rare snaps of his daughter Daisy Dove as he gave fans an insight into his family life on Saturday.

The actor, 49, shares six-year-old Daisy with his ex-fiancée Katy Perry, 41, whom he split from in 2025,  and has since moved on with Swiss model Luisa Laemmel, 28.

And taking to Instagram, Orlando offered glimpses of his little girl, with one snap showing her making a sweet nod to his Pirates Of The Caribbean heyday with a temporary tattoo of pirate Jack Sparrow on her arm.

Daisy sported a denim bucket hat and white T-shirt as she waded in the water while holding her father’s hand, with her artwork of Johnny Depp‘s iconic character seen on her arm. 

Meanwhile, the film star – who also has son Flynn, 15, from his marriage to Miranda Kerr – was seen sweetly cuddling his little girl outside a restaurant as she curled up on his lap.

Further images from their day at the beach, in which they were joined by Luisa, see Orlando showcasing his muscular frame as he poses in just his swimming shorts in the water. 

Orlando offered glimpses of his little girl, with one snap showing her making a sweet nod to his Pirates Of The Caribbean heyday with a temporary tattoo of pirate Jack Sparrow on her arm

With another showing him and his girlfriend’s shadows as they posed for a beach snap.

Other images seemingly from another day show the Lord of the Rings star’s children chilling on a beach, with Daisy then climbing on top of a disused buoy.

Captioning his idyllic images, Orlando penned: ‘Everything everywhere all at once.’ 

Orlando prompted new romance rumours in February when he was photographed arm-in-arm with Luisa while leaving a Super Bowl party in Santa Clara, California. A month later they jetted off to the Swiss city of Zurich for a holiday. 

It comes after his ex Katy opened up about her split from the actor, which was confirmed in July 2025 when she was performing on the Australian leg of her Lifetimes Tour.

They were together for nearly a decade starting in 2016, with a brief split in 2017, followed by an engagement and the birth of their daughter, before going their separate ways.

Speaking to People, the One That Got Away singer shared that ‘it was probably the hardest time’ while being so far from home.

‘My friends were all hanging out back home. I was crying and just feeling far away. But then my angels went to work. They really showed up,’ she told the outlet.

Katy, who recently paid tribute to ‘inspiring’ Dolly Parton, had to push through her tears and get on with the show following her breakup from the Pirates of the Caribbean star.

Further images from their day at the beach, in which they were joined by Luisa, see Orlando showcasing his muscular frame as he poses in just his swimming shorts in the water

With another showing him and his girlfriend’s shadows as they posed for a beach snap

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Other images seemingly from another day show the Lord of the Rings star’s children chilling on a beach, with Daisy then climbing on top of a disused buoy

The actor, 49, shares six-year-old Daisy with his ex-fiancée Katy Perry , 41, whom he split from in 2025, and has since moved on with Swiss model Luisa Laemmel, 28

‘I learned how to step back into my purpose,’ she said, ‘and I got the greatest gift from this tour: I got to meet the love of my life.’

Katy was, of course, talking about Justin Trudeau. She met the former Canadian Prime Minister on July 28 during her tour stop in Montreal, just weeks after her split from Bloom was made public on July 4.

‘I got to meet Justin on tour, and then things shifted,’ she added.

Reflecting on Orlando, who is currently dating Swiss model Luisa, Katy continued: ‘I wouldn’t have stayed in something for nine years if there wasn’t really important things to learn. Each relationship is a teacher, right? I had to let it go so I could move forward.

‘I always wanted this epic legendary love, and I was talking to my therapist about it: Everything in my life is epic, but this is kind of the missing puzzle piece — then it showed up.’ 

North Yorkshire Council has installed the machines at Applegarth Short Stay Car Park and parts of the High Street in Northallerton, where drivers must enter their registration before choosing how long to park.

The council says the machines are part of a “county-wide scheme replacing paper tickets with a more reliable, environmentally friendly system”.

The first hour is still free, but drivers must enter their full registration number to claim it.

Drivers said the system, installed two weeks ago, was harder to use than the old one.

The new ticketless car park machines at Applegarth car park in Northallerton

The new ticketless car park machines at Applegarth car park in Northallerton

The new ticketless car park machines at Applegarth car park in Northallerton

One motorist said: “It was so much easier just to press a button and get a ticket for free parking without having to put reg in.”

Another member of the public added: “Why change it? Seemed to work well enough as it was.”

The council said the new machines were “easier to use, with larger screens and a simpler interface”.

The new ticketless car park machines at Applegarth car park in Northallerton

The new ticketless car park machines at Applegarth car park in Northallerton

The new ticketless car park machines at Applegarth car park in Northallerton

Drivers are also confused about how the free hour works when they stay longer.

One person asked: “So can I park for three hours at £1.70? One hour free and two hours at £1.70.”

Others asked whether they could pay by app or extend their stay without going back to the machine.

The council confirmed the free hour remains and said alternative payment methods are available if a machine breaks down.

The new ticketless car park machines at Applegarth car park in Northallerton

The new ticketless car park machines at Applegarth car park in Northallerton

The new ticketless car park machines at Applegarth car park in Northallerton

Workers who use the car park have also condemned the prices.

One driver said: “The prices are extortionate! Now £12.30 for eight hours. Guess I’m going to have to look at other options to park whilst at work.”

But the council said the new technology had not increased parking charges.

It said the prices remain those set out in its parking order.

Residents fear drivers seeking cheaper or free parking will spill into nearby residential streets.

One resident said: “Already a plague of people parking in our private road which is clearly marked ‘resident only parking’.”

Another added: “Going to be fun down Upwell Road and surrounding areas then.”

The council said it would monitor cars moving into surrounding streets and “review any serious problems”.

Residents concerned about parking spilling into residential areas should contact the council’s parking team at Parking.sca@northyorks.gov.uk.

One driver also claimed only one new machine was working during their visit.

The new ticketless car park machines at Applegarth car park in Northallerton

The new ticketless car park machines at Applegarth car park in Northallerton

The new ticketless car park machines at Applegarth car park in Northallerton

The council said alternative payment methods were available when a machine was out of service and that it was monitoring the rollout and gathering feedback.

Another person asked whether the machines issue receipts so workers can reclaim parking costs.

The council confirmed workers can still obtain receipts for business expenses through the machine or digital payment methods.

But not everyone has criticised the change.

One member of the public said: “At least there will be less ticket litter in the car park.”

Another called the charges “very reasonable”.

New signs say charges apply from 8am to 6pm from Monday to Saturday, including bank holidays.

The tariff is £1.70 for two hours, rising to £3.60 for three hours, £5.20 for four, £7.10 for five and £8.70 for six, as part of North Yorkshire Council’s new car parking tariff.

Longer stays cost £10.50 for seven hours, £12.30 for eight, £14 for nine and £15.80 for ten.

Parking sessions cannot be transferred, so drivers cannot give unused time to someone else.

The council said paper tickets were also non-transferable and the registration-based machines keep that rule.

Blue Badge holders can still park for free without entering their registration, provided their badge is clearly displayed.

The council said it would “keep monitoring the rollout and gathering feedback as drivers get used to the system and that traffic wardens will still issue fines”.

By LAURA FOX, ASSOCIATE SHOWBUSINESS EDITOR

Published: 12:34 BST, 12 September 2026 | Updated: 13:24 BST, 12 September 2026

Tracey Emin has shared that her brother Alan tragically passed away while she was in hospital being treated for ‘sepsis and diverticulitis.’

The artist, 63, was diagnosed with bladder cancer six years ago, and in an Instagram post revealed she spent eight days in hospital when she fell ill after ‘suffering with infections for weeks.’

Tracey shared that she ‘was expecting but wasn’t expecting’ her brother’s death, and called Alan a ‘kind and gentle soul.’

She wrote: ‘I have had the strangest time. Deeply sad events, some I can write about some I can’t.

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‘My elder brother Alan died last week. I was expecting it but not expecting it. I know he is where he wants to be.

‘I keep trying to tell myself the loss and sadness is mine. He is soaring high in a much better place.

Tracey Emin has shared that her brother Alan tragically passed away while she was in hospital being treated for ‘sepsis and diverticulitis’ (pictured with Alan in February)

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The artist was diagnosed with bladder cancer six years ago, and in an Instagram post revealed she spent eight days in hospital when she fell ill after ‘suffering with infections for weeks’

‘I loved my brother Alan very much he was a kind and gentle soul.

‘I also spent the last eight days in hospital. I keep being unwell. This time borderline sepsis and an acute attack of diverticulitis.

‘I’ve been suffering for weeks on and off, one infection after another.

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‘It makes me so weak. Every bit of pain, every heartbreak feels like the heaviest weight trying to crush me.

‘This last couple of weeks I feel like I’ve been smashed with a sledgehammer. Broken, trampled, cursed….

‘So I am going to get out my giant golden shield and breastplate. I’m going to polish them so bright that the whole world reflects. 

‘Any hex that’s thrown at me will go straight back. I’m ready…. We live now in the cruelest of worlds. 

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‘Alan was right to take his leave. I love you Alan. Rest in peace.’

Tracey previously underwent a series of major operations in 2020 after being diagnosed with an aggressive form of bladder cancer during lockdown (pictured in a previous post)

The artist posted a snap from her time in hospital, and admitted she feels ‘broken, trampled and cursed’

Tracey previously underwent a series of major operations in 2020 after being diagnosed with an aggressive form of bladder cancer during lockdown.

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Medics removed her bladder, urethra, lymph nodes and parts of her intestine and vagina to prevent the tumour from spreading.

She was fitted with a stoma pouch, an opening on the abdomen, to allow urine to be diverted out of the body and disposed of via a urostomy bag.

Tracey has been frank about adapting to life post-surgery and often shares candid updates about her health on social media.

In an old Instagram post, she wrote: ‘This is my stoma. Most people have never seen one. It’s something I’m supposed to hide forever.’

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She added: ‘It’s part of my intestine attached to the outside of my body. Without it being there and functioning correctly, I will die.’

‘[It’s] live flesh. Fragile and delicate. Surrounded by scar tissue and swollen puffy fatty flesh.

‘I have almost total muscle wastage in my core abdomen, stomach. My body will never be the same.

‘To be honest I find wearing the bag quite depressing. Nothing cool about carrying a bag of p*** around with you.

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‘But it’s life.. my life now. Many disabilities can not be seen. But I thought I’d show you mine.’

Two PSNI officers and a male driver suffered injuries

Three people, including two police officers, were taken to hospital after a crash in Co Antrim on Friday morning.

Police are appealing for information following the collision involving a police car and a van on September 11 in Dundrod outside Lisburn.

A PSNI spokesperson said: “At approximately 7.25am two vehicles, including a police car, were in collision in the Rock Road area of Dundrod.

“Police colleagues attended the scene, alongside colleagues from other emergency services and two police officers and a male driver were taken to hospital for treatment for their injuries.

“Enquiries are ongoing and police would appeal to anyone with any information or who may have CCTV or dashcam footage available from the scene, to contact us on 101 quoting reference number 204 11/09/26.

“Alternatively, a report can be submitted online using the non-emergency reporting form https://reporting.psni.police.uk/appeals or to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.”

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