Orkney and Shetland
Liberal Democrats

News

Alistair Carmichael - Westminster

Carmichael warns against lax regulation of energy company actions on meters

Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has today called on ministers to keep a “close eye” on energy companies in order to protect vulnerable families. Speaking during an Urgent Question in Parliament relating to concerns about households being unfairly forced to switch to pre-payment meters – which generally cost more per unit than other payment methods – Mr Carmichael highlighted the related issue found in the Northern Isles of companies refusing to connect meters to new build homes.

23 Jan 2023
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Alistair Carmichael - Westminster

Northern Isles representatives welcome signing of Islands Growth Deal

Orkney and Shetland’s parliamentary representatives Alistair Carmichael MP, Liam McArthur MSP and Beatrice Wishart MSP have welcomed the signing today of the Islands Growth Deal in Kirkwall. The agreement will see £100 million invested by the UK and Scottish governments between Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles, with a further investment of £293 million expected from public and private stakeholders, aiming at boosting growth and jobs, including in new green technologies and the creative industries. Up to 1300 jobs are expected to be created by the agreement.

20 Jan 2023
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Alistair Carmichael - Westminster

Carmichael recognises Fair Isle ferry funding in Parliament

Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has today in Parliament welcomed the announcement of funding for the replacement Fair Isle ferry, but called for assurances that Orkney Islands Council would receive the same support and feedback from the Levelling Up department in renewing its bid for funds in the future.

19 Jan 2023
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Alistair Carmichael - Westminster

Carmichael calls for DVSA head to visit Northern Isles amid continued testing frustrations

Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has today in Parliament called for transport ministers to improve driving test wait times, and to push the head of the DVSA to make a visit to the Northern Isles to see the state of service and need here. Mr Carmichael also highlighted the continued lack of off-road motorcycle testing in the Shetland after years of uncertainty.

19 Jan 2023
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Alistair Carmichael - Westminster

New Fair Isle ferry funding a success for local campaigners – Carmichael

Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has welcomed news this evening that local campaigners for a new Fair Isle ferry have secured Levelling Up Fund support for the replacement vessel. Following a bid by Shetland Islands Council with support from the local community, £26.8m is to be allocated to provide a new, lifeline roll-on, roll-off ferry for Fair Isle.

18 Jan 2023
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Alistair Carmichael - Westminster

Carmichael raises challenges with data-deficient monkfish in fisheries debate

Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has today called on ministers to acknowledge the frustration faced by fishermen that valuable monkfish stocks are still regarded as “data-deficient”. Data-deficient species of fish pose greater challenges for the setting of quotas, as the lack of information on numbers makes it hard to reasonably reflect the potential catch in fishing grounds. Monkfish is a key stock for Scottish and in particular Shetland fishermen.

18 Jan 2023
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Alistair Carmichael - Westminster

Carmichael speaks out against “slapdash” scrapping of EU law

Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has stated that he will oppose the Retained EU Law Bill when it comes to Parliament on Wednesday, 18th January. The Bill empowers the government to review, change or delete at least 3,800 regulations introduced during the UK’s membership of the EU by the end of this year, covering a wide range of areas from health and safety to workers’ rights. The government’s self-imposed “sunset clause” means that ministers have until the end of this year to go through all European legislation on the statute books and choose which will be revised, replaced or rejected entirely.

16 Jan 2023
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Alistair Carmichael - Westminster

Orkney Tractor Run success recognised in Parliament

The success of the Orkney Tractor Run 2022 has been recognised in Parliament this week. Orkney and Shetland MP Alistair Carmichael lodged a parliamentary motion congratulating the organisers for the event and highlighting donations which have surpassed £28,000, to be split between Orkney Blide Trust and Orkney Heart Support Group.

13 Jan 2023
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Alistair Carmichael - Westminster

Passport fees to increase from February

Islanders have been warned this week that passport fees will be increased by the government, starting from 2 February, and to consider early renewal of passports if they are close to expiry. Northern Isles MP Alistair Carmichael made the call following severe delays in passport renewals through 2022, which left many people across the UK waiting over ten weeks to receive their passports during the summer peak.

12 Jan 2023
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News from Orkney and Shetlands MSPs

Orcadian Column

Orcadian Column, 19 October 2023

It’s hard to put into words the horror of recent and ongoing events in Israel and Gaza. The murderous rampage and hostage taking by Hamas militants targeting a music festival and kibbutzim across southern Israeli was unspeakably barbaric.

17 Oct 2023
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General News and Press Releases

McArthur writes to SSPCA over rehoming centre closure

Orkney’s MSP, Liam McArthur has today written to the CEO of the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, highlighting concerns raised by constituents involved in animal welfare in Orkney over the closure of the Balmore rehoming centre.

12 Oct 2023
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Orcadian Column

Orcadian Column, 5 October 2023

Happy retirement to MV Golden Mariana, which completed her final journey between Papay and Westray at the end of last week. Built in Devon in 1973, at 50 years old the Mariana was the oldest vessel in the Orkney Ferries fleet.

4 Oct 2023
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Orcadian Column

Orcadian Column, 28 September 2023

The Prime Minister chose the eve of Climate Week to announce he was watering down his environmental commitments. With a general election due next year, Rishi Sunak has calculated that delaying targets will revive his party’s prospects at the polls.

28 Sep 2023
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Orcadian Column

Orcadian Column, 21 September 2023

Two years ago, I launched a consultation on proposals for a bill to allow terminally ill adults with mental capacity in Scotland the choice of an assisted death.

21 Sep 2023
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