[Stronsaylimpet] Extracts from Liam McArthur's "Holyrood Highlights" 22 Dec 2023.

[Limpet editor]

"I made my last flight to Edinburgh of the year on Tuesday morning, and 
spent the morning dealing with emails and casework, as well as 
responding to *news that NorthLink fares are set to go up by 8.7% next 
year*, well above inflation, currently running at 3.9%. Ministers had 
tried to sneak out this information quietly, with no official 
announcement on the Transport Scotland website. Along with my Northern 
Isles colleagues, Beatrice Wishart and Alistair Carmichael, I criticised 
the move which will hurt islanders, already contending with squeezed 
household budgets. You can find our joint statement *here* 
<https://click.ngpvan.com/k/75664428/445367694/-142427050?nvep=ew0KICAiVGVuYW50VXJpIjogIm5ncHZhbjovL3Zhbi9MSUJVSy9MSUJVSy8xLzM4NTM1IiwNCiAgIkRpc3RyaWJ1dGlvblVuaXF1ZUlkIjogImUwOWMxNGY4LTBhYTEtZWUxMS1iZWExLTAwMjI0ODIyM2YzNiIsDQogICJFbWFpbEFkZHJlc3MiOiAicmljYXJkaWFuQGNsYXJlbW9udHN0cm9uc2F5LmNvLnVrIg0KfQ%3D%3D&hmac=B-byfw_E-sUjut84SVK4jCS1bBaZXbApRqbdQWqb0ZI=&emci=77348de6-05a1-ee11-bea1-002248223f36&emdi=e09c14f8-0aa1-ee11-bea1-002248223f36&ceid=397233>."

"Prior to FMQs, I also managed to get a look in at General Questions, 
where I highlighted to the Business Ministers *problems in the islands 
due to the introduction of short term lets legislation*. I urged Richard 
Lochhead to look at whether more flexibility could be provided, 
particularly in the smaller isles where the loss of accommodation 
impacts not just tourism but the opportunities for key workers to find 
places to stay overnight. You can watch and read this exchange *here 
<https://click.ngpvan.com/k/75664467/445367737/244369594?clip_start=11:42:42&clip_end=11:44:15&nvep=ew0KICAiVGVuYW50VXJpIjogIm5ncHZhbjovL3Zhbi9MSUJVSy9MSUJVSy8xLzM4NTM1IiwNCiAgIkRpc3RyaWJ1dGlvblVuaXF1ZUlkIjogImUwOWMxNGY4LTBhYTEtZWUxMS1iZWExLTAwMjI0ODIyM2YzNiIsDQogICJFbWFpbEFkZHJlc3MiOiAicmljYXJkaWFuQGNsYXJlbW9udHN0cm9uc2F5LmNvLnVrIg0KfQ%3D%3D&hmac=B-byfw_E-sUjut84SVK4jCS1bBaZXbApRqbdQWqb0ZI=&emci=77348de6-05a1-ee11-bea1-002248223f36&emdi=e09c14f8-0aa1-ee11-bea1-002248223f36&ceid=397233> 
*and *here* 
<https://click.ngpvan.com/k/75664468/445367738/256810046?meeting=15627&iob=133325&nvep=ew0KICAiVGVuYW50VXJpIjogIm5ncHZhbjovL3Zhbi9MSUJVSy9MSUJVSy8xLzM4NTM1IiwNCiAgIkRpc3RyaWJ1dGlvblVuaXF1ZUlkIjogImUwOWMxNGY4LTBhYTEtZWUxMS1iZWExLTAwMjI0ODIyM2YzNiIsDQogICJFbWFpbEFkZHJlc3MiOiAicmljYXJkaWFuQGNsYXJlbW9udHN0cm9uc2F5LmNvLnVrIg0KfQ%3D%3D&hmac=B-byfw_E-sUjut84SVK4jCS1bBaZXbApRqbdQWqb0ZI=&emci=77348de6-05a1-ee11-bea1-002248223f36&emdi=e09c14f8-0aa1-ee11-bea1-002248223f36&ceid=397233#3896>, 
and General Questions *here* 
<https://click.ngpvan.com/k/75664469/445367739/244369594?nvep=ew0KICAiVGVuYW50VXJpIjogIm5ncHZhbjovL3Zhbi9MSUJVSy9MSUJVSy8xLzM4NTM1IiwNCiAgIkRpc3RyaWJ1dGlvblVuaXF1ZUlkIjogImUwOWMxNGY4LTBhYTEtZWUxMS1iZWExLTAwMjI0ODIyM2YzNiIsDQogICJFbWFpbEFkZHJlc3MiOiAicmljYXJkaWFuQGNsYXJlbW9udHN0cm9uc2F5LmNvLnVrIg0KfQ%3D%3D&hmac=B-byfw_E-sUjut84SVK4jCS1bBaZXbApRqbdQWqb0ZI=&emci=77348de6-05a1-ee11-bea1-002248223f36&emdi=e09c14f8-0aa1-ee11-bea1-002248223f36&ceid=397233> 
and *here* 
<https://click.ngpvan.com/k/75664470/445367740/256810046?meeting=15627&iob=133324&nvep=ew0KICAiVGVuYW50VXJpIjogIm5ncHZhbjovL3Zhbi9MSUJVSy9MSUJVSy8xLzM4NTM1IiwNCiAgIkRpc3RyaWJ1dGlvblVuaXF1ZUlkIjogImUwOWMxNGY4LTBhYTEtZWUxMS1iZWExLTAwMjI0ODIyM2YzNiIsDQogICJFbWFpbEFkZHJlc3MiOiAicmljYXJkaWFuQGNsYXJlbW9udHN0cm9uc2F5LmNvLnVrIg0KfQ%3D%3D&hmac=B-byfw_E-sUjut84SVK4jCS1bBaZXbApRqbdQWqb0ZI=&emci=77348de6-05a1-ee11-bea1-002248223f36&emdi=e09c14f8-0aa1-ee11-bea1-002248223f36&ceid=397233>."

"Today, although *my constituency office is closed*, I spent the morning 
drafting a column for the Orcadian to be published the new year, and 
trying to get my inbox in a fit state before shutting things down for 
Christmas! Holyrood Highlights will be taking a break until 
parliamentary business resumes in the second week of January.  So for 
now, let me take the opportunity of wishing you a *Merry Christmas and 
all the best for a happy, healthy 2024*."
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