Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has this Tuesday led a parliamentary debate on the persecution of the Baha’i religious community in Iran. Mr Carmichael highlighted during the debate a range of recent concerns about the treatment of members of the religion in Iran in recent months, and called on the government to take further action to challenge human rights abuses in Iran.
Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has today backed calls for a general election following further turmoil in the Conservative government with the sacking of the Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng.
Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, yesterday led a parliamentary debate on post-Brexit fisheries, highlighting a range of issues facing the fishing industry in recent years. During the debate Mr Carmichael noted the ongoing challenge of deckhand visas for vessels, along with inaction on gillnetting in the waters around Shetland by Scottish authorities, and the need for reforms to scientific advice on both spatial squeeze of fishing grounds and overall quota.
Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, will today [Thursday] challenge ministers to offer a clear roadmap on making a workable visa scheme for skilled deckhands, as he leads a parliamentary debate on post-Brexit fisheries. In the debate Mr Carmichael will highlight a range of challenges facing the fishing industry including quota, the unsustainable practice of gillnetting and the current cost-of-living crisis.
Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has welcomed the announcement today that the Scottish Government’s proposed “Islands Bond” scheme would be scrapped following widespread opposition from local communities. The proposal would have given cash incentives for individuals and families to move to Scottish island communities and was announced by the SNP during the Holyrood elections last year.
Orkney's MSP, Liam McArthur, today tackled the Deputy First Minister, John Swinney, over Orkney's "ongoing underfunding" under the Scottish Government’s local authority funding formula.
Responding to the announcement that the Scottish Government's Islands Bond proposals are set to be dropped, Orkney's MSP Liam McArthur said: "The Islands Bond was always an election gimmick. Rather than tackling the root causes of depopulation, it risked opening up divisions within our island communities."
Orkney's MSP, Liam McArthur, has today raised concerns with the Health Secretary about the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on people's physical health and mental wellbeing.
Orkney's MSP, Liam McArthur, has welcomed an announcement that the planned rollout of superfast broadband in Orkney is due to be extended thanks to additional funding from Scottish and UK Governments.
Orkney's MSP, Liam McArthur, has called for more assurances to island communities ahead of plans to re-start of self-referrals to the breast screening programme for those aged 71 and over this autumn.
Orkney's MSP, Liam McArthur, has reiterated his concern over island communities being left behind as new data reveals Orkney continues to suffer the worst internet connections in the UK.
Isles representatives, Alistair Carmichael MP and Liam McArthur MSP, have this week written to the Business Secretary, the head of Ofgem, and the trade body Energy UK to challenge the refusal of energy suppliers in the isles to connect new built homes to electricity supply.
Orkney's MSP, Liam McArthur, has reiterated concerns over the proposed Islands Bond scheme concept and argued for the funding to be targeted at improving transport links.
Shetland MSP and Scottish Liberal Democrat Beatrice Wishart highlighted research undertaken by Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) campaigners
