Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has said that the Chancellor’s new fiscal support for businesses struggling with the rising Omicron wave of Covid cases was “too little, too late”. Rishi Sunak announced new fiscal measures today in the form of renewed rebates for statutory sick pay for small- and medium-sized businesses, and a one-off £6,000 grant for hospitality and leisure businesses affected by the new wave. Business leaders have already voiced concerns about the proposals and called for greater certainty on future restrictions.

Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has today called for the government to ensure that hospitality businesses hit by government advice to stay at home and avoid social contacts are supported with fiscal measures. Mr Carmichael reiterated a call for the VAT reduction on hospitality and tourism to be extended alongside more immediate support for businesses.

Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has today led a debate in Parliament on the administration of the Historic Shortfall Scheme, set up by the Post Office to compensate those victimised by the Horizon scandal. Mr Carmichael raised serious concerns about the way the scheme was being run and the opportunities for compensation for those affected, and in particular raised the serious challenges faced by the late Elena Kimmett, formerly postmistress in Stromness. Following the debate the minister responding agreed to write to Mr Carmichael to respond to the issues raised.

Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has spoken out in Parliament in support of a National Lost Trawlermen’s Memorial Day. Mr Carmichael intervened in support of a debate led by Karl Turner MP, who raised the idea as a national extension to a day of commemoration already recognised in the coastal city of Hull.

Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has today [Tuesday] co-sponsored the Cold Climate Allowance Bill led by Neale Hanvey MP, as a pathway to reducing fuel poverty in the isles. The Bill, read for the first time in Parliament today, aims to introduce a Cold Climate Allowance which would seek to make an additional monetary payment to all those in receipt of the state pension and other social security benefits during the winter months.

Orkney and Shetland MP and Liberal Democrat Home Affairs spokesperson, Alistair Carmichael, has spoken out today during a debate on the government’s Nationality and Borders Bill. Amongst a range of controversial provisions in the Bill, Mr Carmichael raised concern about the government’s plans to enhance powers to strip UK nationals of their citizenship and the harm this risked to the rule of law, as well as the rushed nature of the Bill’s passage.

Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has signed up to the campaign to introduce paid leave for families who experience a miscarriage before 24 weeks. Ahead of the second reading of the Miscarriage Leave Bill today, Mr Carmichael pledged his support to ensure parents who experience miscarriage are able to properly grieve their loss.

Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has today backed Kevin Brennan MP’s Copyright (Rights and Remuneration of Musicians Etc.) Bill, which would reform the law to allow musicians to get revenues from online streaming of their songs. Gaps in the law currently mean that while radio play guarantees royalties for musicians of all levels of success, there is no specific right to royalties from streaming, with much of the revenue instead going to large corporations. Despite broad support for the Bill from MPs and musicians, progress was blocked by the government.

Isles representatives Alistair Carmichael MP and Beatrice Wishart MSP have responded today to the overwhelming uptake of their petition to reverse Northlink’s cut to the Islander Food Discount on lifeline ferry services. Less than 24 hours after the petition launch, over 1,200 people had signed the petition calling on Northlink to change course.

Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has today highlighted the international export potential of tidal stream technology in the wake of boosted fiscal support for the industry last month. Speaking in Parliament, Mr Carmichael noted the International Trade Secretary’s past visit to EMEC in Orkney and called on her to ensure that the government worked with industry to back exports as tidal stream reached commercialisation.