Listen to this article here
|
Businesses are invited to take part in a short 10-15 minute online survey to share their views on doing business in Stockport as part of the preparation for developing the borough’s Economic Plan. The survey will ask a few questions relating to best understand the nature of the different businesses operating in the borough. All responses will be treated as confidential and in compliance with General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) requirements. Access the survey here.
UK STATISTICS
There have been more than 9.4 million confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK and sadly more than 142,000 people have died, government figures show. More than 50 million people have now received a first dose of the vaccine, around 87.5% of people in the UK aged 12 and over. Nearly 80% have had their second and 19% have had a booster.
Total UK Cases: 9,406,001 positive tests
Latest UK daily figure: 39,329 new cases
Number in UK hospital: 8,859, 71 fewer than on previous day
New deaths across UK: 214
Total UK deaths: 142,338
England Cases per 100,000: 359
R number in UK: 0.9 to 1.1
Vaccine data:
Total 1st doses given: 50,336,130 – 87.5% of UK aged 12+
Total 2nd doses: 45,894,237 – 80%
Daily 1st doses: 39,836
Daily 2nd doses: 21,199
Daily Booster doses: 340,394 (10,920,416 total booster doses)
Latest Stockport data:
Total Stockport cases: 48,073 to 10 November
Cases in the latest week: 1,056, 242 fewer than previous week
Total deaths: 770 to October 29th
Cases per 100,000: 359 per 100,000 week ending 6 November
Stockport vaccine data:
1st dose: 83% of over 12s to 9 November
2nd dose: 77%
The R value and growth rate
The R range for England is 0.9 to 1.1 and the growth rate range for England is -1% to +2% per day as of 5 November 2021.
NEW GRANT SCHEME:
Stockport Council launches new Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) for businesses facing continued challenges from impact of coronavirus
Stockport Council has opened applications for its Additional Restrictions Grant scheme, allowing businesses that remain negatively affected by the coronavirus pandemic to access further financial support. The Additional Restrictions Grant supports businesses that are not covered by other grant schemes or where additional funding is needed. You can apply for the Additional Restrictions Grant if your trading levels continue to be negatively impacted by coronavirus (COVID-19). The ARG scheme will be regularly reviewed. The Council reserves the right to amend and/or extend the eligibility criteria, at any point to reflect the available funding remaining and / or further government restrictions being imposed. Any revisions will be incorporated into updated guidance held on the Council website.
UK NEWS UPDATES:
First UK Covid case in dog confirmed by vet
A dog has tested positive for Covid – the first documented case of its kind in the UK – officials have confirmed. They believe the pet, who is recovering at home, caught it from its owner. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) says cases like this are extremely rare and there is no strong evidence to suggest that dogs, cats or other pets are passing on the virus to humans.
Owners and people who work with animals should wash their hands regularly though for good hygiene.
UK Airport urges government to reassess COVID testing to aid sector recovery
According to Heathrow, relaxation of travel rules ahead of half-term increased demand, with close to 100,000 travellers a day, up 144 per cent compared with the same time last year. Despite signs of recovery, passenger levels remain 56 per cent down on pre-pandemic levels. According to a statement issued by Heathrow airport:
“With air travel at other major European airports recovering faster, Ministers should reassess testing requirements for fully vaccinated passengers and the Passenger Locator Form at the next Global Travel Taskforce review, to ensure the UK is aligned with its European competitors.”
UK fashion brand recovers as revenues returns to pre-Covid levels
Burberry has announced its interim results for 26 weeks ended 25 September and said it is maintaining its medium-term guidance for high single-digit top line growth. The luxury British retailer said it is comfortable with current year market expectations after seeing its revenues for the first half of the year rise to pre Covid-19 levels, driven by strong growth in mainland China, South Korea and the United States.
The fashion giant has shown strong signs of recovery in its interim results with a 37 per cent boost in retail store sales from last year.
REGIONAL & LOCAL NEWS:
Manchester – Tunisia flghts resume as Covid rules relaxed
Tunisian airline, Nouvelair, has announced plans to resume flights from Manchester Airport to the North African country, following the relaxation of Covid-19 travel rules by both the governments of the UK and Tunisia. While flights had started in July 2021, they were suspended after travel restrictions were first imposed by the UK government. With a fleet of 10 Airbus A320s, Nouvelair will operate two weekly services from the Northern hub, on Wednesdays and Sundays from 29th March 2022, with flights to the Tunis, the country’s capital. Nouvelair will be the exclusive carrier between Manchester Airport and Tunis, with onward connectivity for tourists travelling to holiday resorts in Tunisia, with flights resuming in time for the Easter Holiday break.
Bistro Marc at Winters set for new year opening
Bistro Marc, a French restaurant that will occupy the historic Winter’s building on Little Underbank in the town centre is set to open in the new year, following a sensitive restoration. Led by husband and wife team, Chef Marc Molé and Rachel Winter Jones, Business and PR Manager, Bistro Marc at Winter’s will be a cosy French bistro serving French favourites, with a focus on using fresh local produce from Stockport Indoor Markets and other local suppliers.
SECTOR SPECIFIC CORONAVIRUS-RELATED NEWS:
BUSINESS:
Check if you can claim back Statutory Sick Pay paid to employees due to coronavirus (COVID-19)
If you’re an employer, find out if you can use the Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme to claim back employees’ coronavirus-related Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) – the state aid limits section has been updated since 1 January 2021 EU state aid rules no longer apply in the UK, except for aid in-scope of the Northern Ireland Protocol and Structural Funds.
Measuring monthly and quarterly gross domestic product in the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic
An explainer on how we produce monthly and quarterly estimates of UK GDP.
CARE:
Adult social care in England, monthly statistics: November 2021
Experimental statistics on a range of topics including infection control measures, COVID-19 vaccinations, flu vaccinations and testing for COVID-19 in adult social care settings – updated details to reflect that the monthly bulletin now includes data on booster doses of COVID-19 vaccinations and flu vaccinations.
COMMUNITY:
Finding and choosing a private coronavirus (COVID-19) test provider
Lists of and information about private test providers, to help you get the private COVID-19 tests you need.
CONSTRUCTION:
Construction output clicks back into growth but orders soften
Monthly construction output grew 1.3% in volume terms in September, ending the bumpy decline that started after June. The welcome return to growth of both new work and repair and maintenance still left industry new work 3.5% below the pre-pandemic February 2020 benchmark for output. The latest batch of new orders and materials price data also point to challenges ahead.
EDUCATION:
Contingency arrangements: GCSE, AS, A level, Project and AEA
Consultation proposals for contingency arrangements for the award of GCSE, AS, A level, Project and AEA qualifications in 2022 – this page has now been updated with contingencies decisions and response analysis.
HEALTH & WELLBEING:
Monthly statistics for adult social care (England)
Experimental statistics on a range of topics including infection control measures, COVID-19 vaccinations, flu vaccinations and testing for COVID-19 in adult social care settings – updated to reflect that the monthly bulletin now includes data on booster doses of COVID-19 vaccinations and flu vaccinations.
Monthly statistics for adult social care (England)
Experimental statistics on a range of topics including infection control measures, COVID-19 vaccinations and testing for COVID-19 in adult social care settings.
Vaccine uptake guidance and the latest coverage data
Information for health professionals and immunisation practitioners – added 3 seasonal flu vaccine uptakes (monthly data, 2021 to 2022): ‘children of school age’; ‘GP patients’ and ‘frontline healthcare workers’.
RETAIL:
B&M reports strong sales and profit growth
B&M has reported “strong sales and profit growth” in the first half of its latest financial year and said it is “fully stocked heading into the Golden Quarter”. The discount retailer posted group revenues of £2.3bn in the 26 weeks to 25 September 2021 compared to £2.2bn in the prior period. The group, which has headquarters in Liverpool, saw revenues rise in the UK and France, although they dipped at Heron Foods, in which it said they had experienced “more challenging trading conditions”. Statutory profits before tax also rose from £235.6m to £241.4m.
TRAVEL:
Battery trial planned to reduce emissions on Transpennine route
Trains in the North could reduce their emissions if a trial to retrofit batteries proves successful. Transpennine Express is working with Hitachi Rail and Angel Trains to install battery technology trains used across the North with the aim of cutting carbon emissions by at least 20%. In the trial, Transpennine’s Nova 1 fleet of 19 trains will have their diesel engine replaced by batteries, allowing the trains to run solely on battery power when travelling in and out of station areas, cutting noise pollution and helping to improve air quality.
Covid-19 Webinars:
Remote education webinars
How to access school-led webinars on remote education to help share good practice – new dates for webinars for teachers added.
Help and support if your business is affected by coronavirus (COVID-19)
Watch videos and register for the free webinars to learn more about the support available to help you deal with the economic impacts of coronavirus. The YouTube video for Self-Employment Income Support Scheme – Universal Credit and Child Benefit has been updated.
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme – How to make a claim:
This guides you through making a claim, including the essential information you need, what to do before you make your claim, calculating and processing your claim.
Choose a date and time
If you’ve missed any of HMRC’s live webinars, you can catch up series of recorded webinars on HMRC’s YouTube channel – available at a time to suit you.
Brexit Webinars:
Exporting: Actions you need to take now: An overview of the actions you need to take now before you export goods from Great Britain to the EU and move goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Key processes include – staged border controls, zero-rated VAT, customs declaration, using an intermediary as well as licences, certificates, and authorisations. Please register to take part if you’re planning to export.
Trader responsibilities when using an intermediary: You now need to complete import or export declarations to trade goods with the EU. These are complex and a lot of businesses choose to use an intermediary to do these for them. This webinar explains your responsibilities as a trader if you choose to use an intermediary. Please register to take part if you’re planning to import or export.
What are customs import declarations?: If you import goods, you now need to make customs import declarations on controlled goods and all goods by the end of June. This webinar will help you understand what they are in more detail. This includes what is needed for simplified declarations, supplementary declarations, how to make them, and delayed import declarations. Please register to take part if you’re planning to import.
Importing: Staged controls and how to prepare to use them: This webinar will walk you through the three stages of the new border controls introduced on 1?? ?January?? ?2021, and what actions you need to take for each stage. Please register to take part if you’re planning to import.
LATEST LINKS:
Repayment period for Bounce Back Loans extended to ten years
Businesses that took out government Bounce Back loans to help them through the Coronavirus crisis now have more time to repay. Companies will be contacted with options to extend the length of the loan from six to 10 years as part of a new ‘pay-as-you-grow’ initiative. The new proposals give businesses three new options:
1. Extending the length of the loan from six years to 10;
2. Making interest-only payments for six months, then repaying the principal on a phased basis with other interest-only periods;
3. Delaying repayments entirely for up to six months.
Financial support for businesses during coronavirus (COVID-19)
Pay VAT deferred due to coronavirus (COVID-19)
Find out how to pay VAT payments deferred between 20 March and 30 June 2020.
Report an outbreak of Coronavirus in Stockport:
https://www.stockport.gov.uk/coronavirus-in-stockport/report-a-coronavirus-outbreak
Home workers can claim £26 tax relief for job expenses
If you’ve asked your employees to work from home, and you’ve not reimbursed them already, your employees may be entitled to claim tax relief on additional household expenses they’ve incurred, such as heating and lighting.
New hotline launched to report COVID fraudsters
A new hotline has been launched to stop fraudsters illegally targeting COVID stimulus schemes.
If you would like to register your interest in creating one or more Kickstart Job, please complete the Kickstart Employer Enquiry Form and a member of the Council’s Kickstart Team will contact you to explain more.
Kickstart Scheme
The Kickstart Scheme provides funding to employers to create job placements for 16 to 24 year olds.
Kickstart Scheme terms and conditions
Kickstart Scheme terms and conditions for employers and gateways receiving the Kickstart Scheme grant from the Department for Work and Pensions.
Kickstart Scheme employer resources
If you’ve been offered Kickstart Scheme funding, you can use these resources to show your support for the scheme.
Kickstart Scheme employer contacts
List of regional contacts for employers applying for a grant through the Kickstart Scheme.
Apply for a Kickstart Scheme grant: 30 or more job placements
If you are an employer looking to create 30 or more jobs placements for young people, apply for funding as part of the Kickstart Scheme.
Apply for a Kickstart Scheme grant: 29 or less job placements
If you are an employer looking to create 29 or less jobs placements for young people, apply for funding as part of the Kickstart Scheme.
Visit the Stockport Council website to report details of any outbreaks online.
https://www.stockport.gov.uk/coronavirus-in-stockport/report-a-coronavirus-outbreak
Opening times for Stockport Council Coronavirus Helpline
The helpline for vulnerable people across Stockport can now be accessed through new opening times by calling 0161 217 6046:
• Monday – Thursday from 9am to 5pm
• Friday from 9am to 4.30pm
• Saturdays from 10am to 1pm
At busy times, residents are automatically offered a call-back from one of our call handlers.
New tools and resources available from Acas:
Redundancy letter templates
Redundancy process map
Acas have also contributed to the development of a new return to work toolkit in partnership with SOM, CIPD, BITC and Mind.
Business Support in Stockport – a centre pool of information to support business owners in Stockport:
www.skbusinessrecovery.co.uk
Government – Guidance on Returning to Work safely
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19
Stockport Council’s FREE job matching website helps support employers with vacancies and individuals across the Stockport borough who are looking for work. The service, Stockport Jobs Match, will help to connect employers who have urgent temporary or permanent vacancies with applicants who are immediately available and in need of employment. The website also helps signpost individuals to available support services and information. www.stockport-jobsmatch.co.uk
Stockport Council – Health & Mental Well-being https://www.stockport.gov.uk/showcase/coronavirus
Government – Financial Support
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme – online claims portal open
Government – Business Support:
Government launches new coronavirus business support finder tool
Government – Business Support Hub:
https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus/business-support
Government – IT safety support:
Government Warnings Over Coronavirus Scams – Here’s How to Protect Yourself
Government – Financial Support:
HMRC has published guidance on how it will work out income and profits for the self-employed or those in a partnership who have lost profits due to coronavirus.
Government – Business Support: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19
Government – Financial Support: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-on-business-support-grant-funding
Government – Business Support:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19/covid-19-support-for-businesses
Gov.uk: Maintaining Educational Provision: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-educational-provision/guidance-for-schools-colleges-and-local-authorities-on-maintaining-educational-provision
Business Growth Hub:
www.businessgrowthhub.com/coronavirus https://www.businessgrowthhub.com/coronavirus/resources/2020/03/coronavirus-business-support-webinar-series
Employment – Useful information for the Self-Employed:
News and Guidance for the self-employed:
Concerned how Coronavirus might impact you and your business?
Please get in touch with Enterprising You and you will be connected to someone who can help.
You can also access information and guidance including the latest Government updates via www.businessgrowthhub.com/coronavirus
Can you claim back Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay in the Rebate Scheme
From Tuesday 26 May 2020, small and medium-sized employers, with fewer than 250 employees, will be able to apply to recover the costs of paying coronavirus-related Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) payments they have made to their employees. Health updates:
Health – updates from NHS
https://www.england.nhs.uk/news/
Health – Dedicated helpline to support vulnerable residents in Stockport:
Support can be accessed by calling 0161 217 6046 Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm and Saturdays from 10am to 4pm.
Health – Dedicated health & wellbeing services:
24/7 mental health helpline & safe haven for anyone over the age of 18 in Stockport (0800 138 7276).
Health – An Emotional Wellbeing Hub which provides information, advice, and guidance for anyone up to the age of 25 for emotional wellbeing and mental health concerns. 0161 217 6028 – 8.30am-5pm Mon – Thurs 8.30am-4.30pm on Friday.
Community – Guidance for businesses seeking to help voluntary, community, and social enterprise organisations during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
How businesses can offer services, funds and volunteers to civil society during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Find out more information here.