Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has today called on the government to commission an independent assessment of the economic and social impact of its planned international trade deals on UK farmers and crofters. Mr Carmichael highlighted the broad concerns of farming groups about the government’s plans to open up access to the UK market for producers with different national standards to the UK’s, in particular as access the EU market has been reduced.

Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has spoken in support of isles produce in a parliamentary debate on the contribution of food and drink to the UK economy. Mr Carmichael highlighted the need for reform of the Groceries Code Adjudicator to better support farmers, the ongoing Scottish Government consultation on live animal transport which may have a severe impact on the isles, and the need for better protection for geographic indicator (GI) products such as Orkney beef or Shetland lamb.

Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has spoken out this week in a parliamentary debate on community energy, calling for consideration of such community schemes for the isles in order to reduce fuel poverty. During the debate Mr Carmichael highlighted the challenge in convincing government agencies to back community energy schemes, in which locally-controlled companies could generate and sell back energy, and noted the current issues for the isles in making use of over-generation of renewable energy.

Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has spoken today in a parliamentary debate on UK fisheries, highlighting ongoing problems with post-Brexit trading conditions, compensation for lost exports and challenges in hiring deckhands. Mr Carmichael warned of a “total absence of any Government strategy” on fisheries to improve the lot of fishermen and exporters, and received a commitment from the fisheries minister to meet to discuss rejected compensation claims.

Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has welcomed news today that the government has reversed course to allow a ringfenced £20m pot of investment into tidal stream renewables in the upcoming Contract for Difference funding round.

Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has highlighted the important of local family-run businesses at the start of Family Business Week. The event aims to put a spotlight on family businesses across the UK and their role in the economy and the community. Mr Carmichael has tabled a parliamentary motion to support the event.

Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has spoken out in Parliament about the need to mitigate new barriers to touring performers to and from the EU as a consequence of Brexit. Intervening in a debate on the situation of post-Brexit touring visas for performers, Mr Carmichael highlighted the international nature of cultural festivals in the Northern Isles, and the challenges these community-led enterprises face as a result of additional administrative barriers.

Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has challenged the government in Parliament over the ongoing inquiries into paid lobbying by now-former MP Owen Paterson and his role in securing major government contracts for health company Randox. During the debate government ministers admitted under questioning from Mr Carmichael that crucial minutes from meetings between Paterson and Health Minister Lord Bethell were currently missing.

A Conservative minister has failed to rule out triggering Article 16 before Christmas, risking disruption to families and businesses over the festive period.

Responding to an urgent question in Parliament this morning by Liberal Democrat MP Alistair Carmichael, Conservative Paymaster General Michael Ellis failed to rule out triggering the mechanism this side of Christmas, adding that “we want a negotiated outcome but we are willing to use Article 16.”

Meanwhile, Conservative MP Peter Bone suggested in the debate that the date of triggering Article 16 was irrelevant.

Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has spoken out in Parliament on the need for greater energy in the rollout of high-speed broadband for the isles. Speaking in a debate on the “digital divide”, Mr Carmichael highlighted the disparity of service between the isles and other parts of the UK, and noted that once again the deadline for completion of the R100 programme had been pushed back with no notice or explanation, as reported by the Press and Journal yesterday.