Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has today spoken at a Save British Farming rally outside Parliament, protesting against the lowering of UK food standards and the long term risk to the farming community of a “perfect storm” of rising input costs. Speaking alongside Liberal Democrat Rural Affairs spokesperson, Tim Farron MP, Mr Carmichael also highlighted the risk of wider demographic decline in rural communities if farming ceases to be a viable business model for families and called for greater support for rural communities from fellow MPs.

Responding to the Government launching the “Homes for Ukraine” website for people to sponsor Ukrainian refugees yesterday, Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokesperson and MP for Orkney and Shetland, Alistair Carmichael, has challenged government ministers to explain how the rights of Ukrainians will be protected and how quickly refugees will be able to arrive in the UK as they flee Russia’s invasion. The scheme will open on Friday 18 March for visa applications from Ukrainians and immediate family members who already have named people willing to sponsor them.

Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has called out the government in Parliament for failing to take meaningful action in response to the mass execution of 81 prisoners in Saudi Arabia over the weekend, the largest execution in Saudi Arabia’s history. The mass execution comes in a week when the Prime Minister reportedly plans to travel to Riyadh to meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Mr Carmichael highlighted the government’s plans to cut off Russian oil and gas imports in response to the invasion of Ukraine, and warned against swapping “one human rights abuser for another”.

The Liberal Democrats are today calling for emergency action to save families money on their bills with a temporary cut to VAT. Under the plan, the standard rate of VAT would be reduced from 20% to 17.5% for one year, a move that would save isles households an average of around £600 each. The plans were set out by Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey at the party’s Spring Conference this weekend and have been backed by Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael.

Isles representatives Alistair Carmichael MP, Liam McArthur MSP and Beatrice Wishart MSP have joined the Liberal Democrat campaign to urge Energy Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng to introduce a price cap on domestic heating oil, after prices more than doubled in a fortnight.

Orkney and Shetland MP and Liberal Democrat spokesperson on Electoral Reform, Alistair Carmichael, has today argued in Parliament that recent events with the Russian invasion of Ukraine require a rethink on the government’s Elections Bill, which amongst other provisions would reduce the independence of the Electoral Commission. 

Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has today called for the Trade and Agriculture Commission (TAC) to focus on farmers and crofters in its assessment of the recently signed UK-New Zealand trade agreement. While the government’s own figures indicate that UK agriculture and food production will take a £150m loss due to the trade deal, media reports have suggested that the Secretary of State for International Trade has only requested that the TAC look at the impact on food standards.

Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has today called on government ministers to bring together key agricultural stakeholders, including farming unions and supermarket representatives, to tackle a wide-reaching price crisis in fuel, fertiliser and food. Mr Carmichael made the call after further discussions this week with NFUS leaders and highlighted in Parliament the existential crisis faced by farmers if input costs are not tackled.

Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has today written to the Chancellor calling on him to consider a delay to planned changes for the usage of red diesel, due to come into application at the end of this month. The planned changes will see all non-agricultural uses of red diesel banned, including its use by the construction industry amongst others. This will lead to a significant rise in tax costs for businesses, coming in addition to already soaring wholesale fuel price rises in recent weeks and months, exacerbated by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has lodged a parliamentary motion in recognition of the success of a Shetland Islands Council team in winning the latest Paths for All “Step Count Challenge” against 480 teams across Scotland. The SIC team “Twisted Blisters” emerged victorious for the second time in the challenge run by Paths for All, a national walking charity encouraging people to walk more for their physical and mental health.