Alistair Carmichael, MP for the Northern Isles, today challenged the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to think again about the way in which Universal Credit works. The new benefits system that has been gradually rolled out is leaving almost 57% having to borrow money in order to make ends meet according to research from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation. The research also showed that one in ten have to wait longer than ten weeks before receiving anything through the system.

Alistair Carmichael, MP for Orkney and Shetland, has called on the UK Government to prioritise international agreement on protection for geographically special produce after Britain leaves the EU. Mr Carmichael asked the Secretary of State for Food, Environment and Rural Affairs, the Rt. Hon. Michael Gove MP, what his department is doing to ensure protection for British food producers is “at least as good” post-Brexit.

Alistair Carmichael, MP for Orkney and Shetland, has called for an assurance from the UK Government that they will engage directly with the fishing industry itself in order to create “credible” policy after Britain has left the EU. Mr Carmichael asked the Government to adopt the “best examples” of fishing management from by the Cod Recovery Programme, following news on Wednesday that the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) has accredited North Sea cod as a sustainable species once again.

Alistair Carmichael, MP for Orkney and Shetland, says international cooperation must continue after Britain leaves the European Union. Mr Carmichael made the comments as he signed a ‘Pledge for the Environment’ created by Greener UK, a group of leading environmental charities.

The pledge aims to encourage the Government to keep EU environmental law intact as part of the Great Repeal Bill, and making sure that any changes are subject to proper parliamentary scrutiny.

Alistair Carmichael, MP for Orkney and Shetland, says the system for issuing visas for people outside the EU working on British fishing boats is not working and must be re-visited by the Government. Mr Carmichael made the comments after being elected as Vice-Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Fisheries in Westminster on Wednesday (12 July).

Alistair Carmichael, MP for Orkney and Shetland, has urged the Government to preserve existing livestock standards after Britain leaves the European Union. Mr Carmichael’s comments came as he sponsored a parliamentary motion on British Farming welfare standards. 

Alistair Carmichael, MP for Orkney and Shetland, has used a debate in Westminster Hall to ask the Government to make a decision on an islands’ strike price for renewable energy generation in the islands. Richard Harrington MP, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, responded to Mr Carmichael on behalf of the Government. Mr Harrington said he expected to be able to make a decision “very soon”, about whether there will be provision for the islands in the next round of the Contract for Difference (CfD) auctions. He was unable to give a definite timetable.

Alistair Carmichael, MP for Orkney and Shetland, has called on the UK Secretary of State of State for Health, Jeremy Hunt MP, to work with the devolved government in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to ensure that the NHS has access to the workforce it needs after Britain exits the European Union.

Alistair Carmichael, MP for the Northern Isles, has called on the UK Government to match for the rest of the most rural parts of the country, the additional support that it has given to Northern Ireland to roll out digital infrastructure.

Alistair Carmichael, MP for Orkney and Shetland, has written to the Rt. Hon. Michael Gove, the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs asking that he reconsiders legislation that bans the use of an important insecticide to Northern Isles farmers and crofters.

In February 2016, the government revoked authorisations for products containing Chlorpyrifos, an active ingredient in plant protection products such as ‘Dusban WG’ and ‘Equity’.