Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has this Tuesday led a parliamentary debate on the persecution of the Baha’i religious community in Iran. Mr Carmichael highlighted during the debate a range of recent concerns about the treatment of members of the religion in Iran in recent months, and called on the government to take further action to challenge human rights abuses in Iran.
Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has today backed calls for a general election following further turmoil in the Conservative government with the sacking of the Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng.
Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, yesterday led a parliamentary debate on post-Brexit fisheries, highlighting a range of issues facing the fishing industry in recent years. During the debate Mr Carmichael noted the ongoing challenge of deckhand visas for vessels, along with inaction on gillnetting in the waters around Shetland by Scottish authorities, and the need for reforms to scientific advice on both spatial squeeze of fishing grounds and overall quota.
Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, will today [Thursday] challenge ministers to offer a clear roadmap on making a workable visa scheme for skilled deckhands, as he leads a parliamentary debate on post-Brexit fisheries. In the debate Mr Carmichael will highlight a range of challenges facing the fishing industry including quota, the unsustainable practice of gillnetting and the current cost-of-living crisis.
Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has welcomed the announcement today that the Scottish Government’s proposed “Islands Bond” scheme would be scrapped following widespread opposition from local communities. The proposal would have given cash incentives for individuals and families to move to Scottish island communities and was announced by the SNP during the Holyrood elections last year.
Orkney's MSP, Liam McArthur, has called on the Scottish Government to accelerate the publication of critical detail over its future agricultural policy in response to NFU Scotland's 2023 Intention Survey.
Orkney's MSP, Liam McArthur, has led a cross party initiative calling on the Scottish Government to rethink its proposed cut to support for the Men’s Shed movement in Scotland.
Responding to the announcement that Inverness & Cromarty Firth and Firth of Forth have been selected as Scotland's two Green Freeports, Orkney's MSP Liam McArthur said:
This time last year we were wrestling with the new Omicron variant of Covid. So it was a relief to see the Ba and log pull back in their rightful place in the festive calendar this year, alongside the more recent addition of the tractor run. More positive still, of course, was the sight of Ba’s entering the water and Sanday joining the tractor cavalcade!
Orkney's MSP, Liam McArthur, has voiced his support for the adoption of circular fashion to help combat human and environmental exploitation in the global clothing industry and increase the value of local textiles production.
Orkney's MSP, Liam McArthur today met with the Transport Minister, Jenny Gilruth MSP to discuss a range of ferry-related issues. Shetland's MSP, Beatrice Wishart also took part in the meeting.
Responding to the Deputy First Minister's announcement that a ferries taskforce will be established between Orkney Islands Council and the Scottish Government, Orkney's MSP Liam McArthur said:
Orkney's MSP, Liam McArthur, has reiterated his support for a new transmission connection between Orkney and the Scottish mainland following Ofgem's backing of a 1.8-gigawatt subsea cable to the Western Isles.
Responding to the Scottish Government's budget announced today, Orkney's MSP Liam McArthur said: "In the face of soaring inflation, fuel, and maintenance costs, John Swinney is proposing a real terms cut to support for Orkney's internal ferry services. This can only result in the delivery of these lifeline services becoming even more difficult and precarious.
