Action needed to support “essential” local news – Carmichael
Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has called on both the government to support local news organisations struggling with the impact of coronavirus on their businesses. Mr Carmichael has backed the Independent Community News Network (ICNN) campaign to support independent news and today spoke out about the important social impact of quality local media.
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Trump decision on WHO funding is dereliction of duty
Responding to news that Donald Trump has halted US funding to the World Health Organisation, Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs spokesperson Alistair Carmichael said:
Government must protect emergency supply lines from unfair practices
Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has written to the Foreign Secretary calling on him to urgently outline how the government will ensure that UK-bound emergency shipments are not diverted by other states. Media reports in recent days have suggested that emergency supply shipments have been paid to divert from France and Canada to the United States.
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Carmichael responds to new delay to helicopter crash inquiry
Responding to news that the Fatal Accident Inquiry into the deaths of four people aboard a Super Puma helicopter which crashed in Shetland in 2013 has been delayed again, Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, said:
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Clarity needed on coronavirus impact on credit ratings – Carmichael
Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has called on the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to clarify its position on changes to individual credit ratings relating to the impact of coronavirus. Mr Carmichael has written to the FCA to ask for its response to concerns that people requesting mortgage or loan holidays due to the economic impact of the coronavirus outbreak may face an adverse change to their credit rating.
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Isles representatives react to Loganair discussions on government support
Northern Isles representatives, Alistair Carmichael MP, Liam McArthur MSP and Beatrice Wishart MSP have given their reaction to news that Loganair will be discussing government support from the Treasury in the next few days. Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Chief Executive Jonathan Hinkles said: “I do think like the vast majority of UK airlines we will be going back to take up that invite for further conversation with Treasury in the coming days because we have to.” Mr Hinkles said that while Loganair has “been doing a lot of work both with our shareholders and all of our suppliers to try and minimise cost”, it was “about actually getting rid of payments” than deferring costs.
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Support for self-employed welcome but gaps remain – Carmichael
Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has welcomed news that the Chancellor has announced new measures to support self-employed people, but has voiced concern about gaps in the plan for seasonal industries. Self-employed people facing financial difficulties will be able to have 80% of their monthly wages, calculated using average monthly profits over last three financial years and capped at £2,500 per month. Support is currently planned to last for three months only.
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Isles representatives welcome HIAL move to end non-essential flights
Reacting to news that HIAL will close its airports to non-essential flights, Alistair Carmichael MP and Beatrice Wishart MSP have given their reaction.
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Parliament urged to agree remote working or risk democracy
Liberal Democrat MP for Orkney and Shetland, Alistair Carmichael, has called for Parliament to urgently adopt new remote working procedures to ensure that all constituencies are represented effectively during the coronavirus crisis.
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Prime Minister dodged commitment on self-employed – Carmichael
Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, today asked for a commitment from the Prime Minister that self-employed people would not be any worse off than employed people under the Government’s economic proposals to mitigate the coronavirus. The Prime Minister responded but would not agree to the commitment.
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