Offshore worker concerns during coronavirus outbreak highlighted by Carmichael
Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has pressed the Government on concerns around the safety and security of offshore workers. Speaking in the House Mr Carmichael raised questions following constituent correspondence on the issues.
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Electricity bill VAT moratorium needed to help struggling families – Carmichael
Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has today called on the Chancellor to consider a moratorium on VAT charges for domestic electricity bills. The Government has already announced VAT measures for businesses and a cross-party group of MPs, led by Far North MP, Jamie Stone, has now written to the Chancellor to request further support for personal energy bills in light of the increase in working from home and self-isolation efforts.
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Carmichael joins letter on social care and disability support in Coronavirus Bill
Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has written a joint letter with other MPs voicing concerns about some measures in the emergency coronavirus Bill. The Bill currently relaxes the duty on local authorities to meet the social care needs of disabled people, risking leaving them behind at a time of crisis. MPs from the cross-party More United Network, alongside disability charity Inclusion London, are urging Secretary of State, Matt Hancock, to reconsider the removal of safeguards and protect the safety and rights of disabled people. Last night the Prime Minister announced further restrictions on movement in order to counter the spread of the virus.
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Carmichael calls for immediate action to support self-employed
Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has joined a cross party group of MPs in writing a letter to the Chancellor calling for urgent action to support self-employed incomes. Concerns have been raised about a lack of action for the UK’s 5 million self-employed people. The Independent Workers Union of Great Britain (IWGB) has launched legal action against the Government over the discrepancy in treatment between employees and other workers, arguing that the job retention scheme discriminates against the self-employed.
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Carmichael welcomes rule change for distillery hand sanitiser production
Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has today welcomed news that following a rule change on alcohol duty, distilleries around the country are now able to produce hand sanitiser at reasonable prices to combat a national shortage due to the spread of coronavirus.
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Carmichael presses Government for assurances on cruise ship policy
Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, pressed the Government today to confirm their policy on cruise ship arrivals during the coronavirus crisis. Questioning Home Office ministers, Mr Carmichael highlighted the specific concerns in the Northern Isles and received confirmation that the Government would follow the science to prevent unsafe practices by cruise ship operators.
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Start of broadband universal service scheme welcomed by Carmichael
Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has welcomed the implementation today of the broadband universal service scheme. As of today, people throughout the UK have the legal right to request a decent and affordable broadband connection from BT.
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Carmichael meets with Prime Minister to discuss coronavirus response
Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has today met with the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, alongside other senior opposition MPs, to discuss the Government’s response to the spread of coronavirus. MPs met in 10 Downing Street for talks relating to an emergency bill tabled by the Government to respond to the disease.
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Carmichael highlights need for intensive care transport plans for the isles
Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has asked the Government to ensure that plans are fully developed and briefed for intensive care transport for the Northern Isles during the coronavirus outbreak. Patients in Shetland who require intensive care are usually transported by air ambulance to mainland Scotland but military assets are planned to be used in the case of coronavirus. Mr Carmichael raised the issue of preparations for this eventuality during a statement by the Secretary of State for Health on Monday evening.
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Carmichael raises concerns about repatriation support for constituents returning from overseas
Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has today raised concerns in the House of Commons about the support for people attempting to return to the UK during the coronavirus crisis. Addressing the Foreign Secretary following the announcement that the Government was advising against all foreign travel for the next thirty days, Mr Carmichael highlighted the situation of Northern Isles constituents who are currently trying to return home from outside the UK.
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