News

Alistair Carmichael - Westminster

Carmichael to press for urgent deckhand visa reforms in fisheries debate

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.

13 Oct 2022

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Alistair Carmichael - Westminster

“Take the drawing board to the isles and hand over the pen” – Carmichael welcomes scrapping of islands bond scheme

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.

19 Aug 2022

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News from Orkney and Shetlands MSPs

General News and Press Releases

McArthur joins call to pause short-term lets legislation

Orkney MSP Liam McArthur has signed an open letter to Scottish ministers calling for a pause to short-term lets legislation, joining 37 MSPs from across the parties.

30 Aug 2023

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Orkney and Shetland

Carmichael calls for geographic tariff as Ofgem cuts energy price cap

Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has today noted Ofgem’s announcement of a cut to the energy price cap, and called for the regulator to begin looking at geographically differentiated tariffs.

25 Aug 2023

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General News and Press Releases

McArthur challenges the removal of island jury trials

Orkney’s MSP Liam McArthur has expressed serious concerns about plans to transfer jury trials from Kirkwall Sherriff Court to the Scottish mainland.

21 Aug 2023

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General News and Press Releases

McArthur raises concerns about diabetes medication shortage

Orkney’s MSP Liam McArthur has written to Scotland’s Public Health Minister, Jenni Minto, to raise concerns about shortages of a crucial medication used to treat diabetes and the impact this is having on patients in Orkney and across the country.

18 Aug 2023

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Orkney and Shetland

Carmichael to lobby ministers following revelations on gillnet worker conditions

Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, is to lobby the UK ministers and other organisations to challenge unsafe and unfair worker practices following concerning reports about the working conditions of gill netters operating in Northern Isles waters.

14 Aug 2023

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Orcadian Column

Orcadian Column, 10 August 2023

Sanday got Show Week off to a promising start last Friday. Despite a chill in the air it was a fine day, encouraging locals and visitors to turn out in decent numbers, which was good to see.

11 Aug 2023

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General News and Press Releases

McArthur wins assurances from Scottish Government to improve zero-carbon heating schemes

Orkney MSP Liam McArthur has secured a commitment from Zero Carbon Buildings Minister, Patrick Harvie, to move towards including air-to-air heat pumps in support schemes to decarbonise Scotland’s homes.

3 Aug 2023

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Orkney and Shetland

Carmichael condemns Tory tax hike on whisky and gin producers

Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has today condemned the Conservative government’s duty hike on whisky and other spirits, which came into force this week.

2 Aug 2023

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Shetland

Wishart celebrates Tall Ships success – a triumph for ‘Shetland plc’

Shetland’s MSP and Scottish Liberal Democrat Beatrice Wishart has today celebrated the success of the Tall Ships Races Lerwick by lodging a Parliamentary motion.

31 Jul 2023

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