News

Carmichael presses for fresh debate on fuel payments in Parliament

Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has today pressed ministers for a renewed debate on the operation of the Alternative Fuel Payment, citing the “utterly random” delivery of funds to people in the isles. Mr Carmichael noted responses from constituents to his online survey, which found close to a 50-50 split between people using electric heating (which in theory is not eligible for the AFP) who had or had not received the payment. Mr Carmichael previously secured a commitment from ministers not to “claw back” wrongly delivered payments for those on electric heating.

16 Mar 2023
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Spring Budget: Carmichael slams “skewed” priorities

Responding to the Spring Budget today, Northern Isles MP Alistair Carmichael has criticised the “skewed” priorities of the Conservatives in pushing major tax breaks for the wealthy and major businesses while refusing to expand energy bills support and hitting families and small businesses with further taxes.

15 Mar 2023
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Carmichael calls for distillers to be included in successor energy discount scheme ahead of Budget

Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has today called on the government to reverse its “questionable” decision to exclude distillers from the successor energy bills discount scheme coming in next month, ahead of this week’s Budget. Writing in PoliticsHome today, Mr Carmichael highlighted the “linchpin” role many distillers play in providing quality jobs and tourism interest in communities in the Highlands and Islands, including in the Northern Isles. He further noted that beer brewers and winemakers are to be included in the provisional criteria, despite being far less energy-intensive industries than distilling.

13 Mar 2023
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“We all have to talk about this more” – Carmichael speaks in Brain Tumour Research Funding debate

Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has called for a better strategy from the government on brain tumour research funding in a debate in Parliament. Speaking in the House of Commons yesterday, Mr Carmichael highlighted the progress made in recent years in delivering ringfenced funding for research, but warned that structural problems were still standing in the way. The MP also highlighted the wider need for more openness in talking about brain tumours amongst friends and family.

10 Mar 2023
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News from Orkney and Shetlands MSPs

Orcadian Column, 15 June 2023

The British public has always had a soft spot for soap operas, which tend to enjoy consistently high ratings. Likewise, the soap operas currently playing out at Westminster and Holyrood will have had viewers tuning in, if only in disbelief.

15 Jun 2023
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General News and Press Releases

McArthur praises Scottish carers

Liberal Democrat MSP for Orkney, Liam McArthur, has today praised the work of carers during the annual Carers Week running from 5-11 June 2023.

9 Jun 2023
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Beatrice stands in the Scottish Parliament holding a sign which reads Carers Week
Shetland

Wishart praises work of carers

Scottish Liberal Democrat and Shetland MSP, Beatrice Wishart has praised the work of carers during the annual Carers Week running from 5-11 June 2023.

8 Jun 2023
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A Pride flag flies in front of a blue sky. Text reads Happy Pride Month Scottish Liberal Democrats.
Shetland

Wishart welcomes Pride month 2023

Shetland MSP and Scottish Liberal Democrat Beatrice Wishart welcomes LBGT+ Pride month. Ms Wishart reaffirmed her commitment to championing equality for all LGBT+ people.

8 Jun 2023
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Orcadian Column, 1 June 2023

Pulling out of Eday aboard the Varagen on Saturday morning, it wasn’t long before Dave Gray was helpfully explaining to passengers what to do in the event of an emergency.

1 Jun 2023
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NorthLink bookings

At the beginning of the week I launched an online survey asking for the views and experiences of people when booking on the Northern Isles Serco NorthLink Ferry Lerwick-Aberdeen service.

28 May 2023
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