Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has spoken out in a parliamentary debate on the impact of changes to rebated fuel rules on the construction industry, highlighting the risk to the wider economy given the lack of existing alternatives to diesel for businesses. In the session, led by Carla Lockhart MP, Mr Carmichael cited businesses in both Orkney and Shetland which were affected by the removal of the entitlement to use red diesel in construction, which comes into force in April, and warned that the unintended consequences could be both economic harm and heightened emissions due to the need for more freight to the isles.

Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has spoken on the need for energy companies to show greater care and respect for customers in a parliamentary debate on energy prices. During the debate, secured by Liberal Democrat colleague Jamie Stone, Mr Carmichael spoke of the frustrations of longstanding customers of SSE and other companies, who have found themselves locked into tariffs as prices rise and unable to switch.

Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has spoken out during the Elections Bill debate against the “culture of entitlement” created by safe seats under First Past the Post voting rules, drawing a line between the absolute power granted to parties on a minority of the vote and the behaviour of the current government.

Orkney and Shetland MP and Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Political Reform, Alistair Carmichael, has spoken out today ahead of debate on the government’s Elections Bill. Mr Carmichael highlighted the controversial imposition of mandatory voter ID, which voting rights groups have warned may disenfranchise millions of voters, the loosening of donation rules for parties and measures which increase government control over the independent Electoral Commission.

Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has backed proposals to redevelop the Flotta Terminal in Orkney into one of the world’s first large-scale green hydrogen hubs as part of ScotWind, the first  Scottish offshore wind leasing round in a decade. If successful, the proposal, called the West of Orkney Windfarm, could deliver renewable power to a green hydrogen production facility at the Flotta Terminal.

Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has spoken out in the parliamentary debate on human rights in Bahrain, calling for the government to take a more robust stance against abuse in the Gulf state. Mr Carmichael identified what he saw as a lack of balance in the UK’s engagement with Bahrain in the absence of significant progress in civil liberties. Mr Carmichael is a board member of the Council for Arab-British Understanding and a number of constituents wrote to the parliamentary office in advance of the debate.

Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has today called for the government to give full time for scrutiny of the controversial Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill when it returns to the House of Commons. The Bill is currently under consideration in the House of Lords, where the government has added significant new police powers and regulations, including restrictions on the right to protest, which were not included in the version of the Bill previously debated in the Commons. 

Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has condemned Conservative MPs after they voted down an opposition motion to reform VAT on energy bills last night. The proposed package would have scrapped VAT on domestic energy bills for a year alongside expanding the Warm Homes Discount to help more people but was defeated, with MPs voting 319 to 229 against the plan. One Conservative MP voted with the opposition and was expelled from the Conservative parliamentary party.

Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has welcomed confirmation today that procurement for HIAL’s proposed centralisation of air traffic control from the isles has been scrapped. In response to parliamentary questions lodged by Liberal Democrat MSP for Orkney, Liam McArthur, the Transport Minister, Graeme Dey confirmed that HIAL has contacted companies involved in the Remote Tower procurement “to confirm that the tender exercise had been cancelled”.

The Department for International Trade’s impact assessment of the agreement, published alongside the final text of the trade deal on 17 December 2021, refers to “a reallocation of resources away from agriculture, forestry and fishing” of £94 million. There is also an expected £225 million hit to the semi-processed food sector, such as tinned foods. The report also warns of “adjustment costs for affected sectors, businesses and employees” as well as the loss of jobs.