UK NEWS & HEADLINES:
UK STATISTICS
Total UK Cases: 4,375,814 positive tests
Latest UK daily figure: 2,472 new cases
Number in UK hospital: 2,537 (101 fewer than previous day)
New deaths across UK: 23
Total UK deaths: 127,123
England Cases per 100,000: 18 per 100,000 (daily change: 0)
R number in UK: 0.8 to 1.0
Vaccine data:
Total 1st doses given: 32,250,481 – latest daily figure
Daily 1st doses: 59,905
There have been almost 4.4 million confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK and sadly over 127,000 people have died. More than 32 million people have had their first dose of a coronavirus vaccine. Data shows almost 8 million people have had their second jab. The average number of daily infections in the UK has continued to decline but is flattening. A further 2,472 confirmed cases in the UK were announced by the government yesterday, Tuesday.
The R value and growth rate in England
The latest reproduction number (R) and growth rate of coronavirus (COVID-19) in England – the R range for England is 0.8 to 1.0 and the growth rate range for England is -4% to 0% per day as of 9 April 2021.
Following the announcement of plans to ease of lockdown, the roadmap can be found in full here.
National lockdown: Stay at Home
Find out what you can and cannot do – updated to include a summary of rule changes from 29th March
Slides, datasets and transcripts to accompany coronavirus press conferences
HEADLINES & UPDATES:
Tesco counts cost of Covid trading as sales rise but profits fall
Tesco has announced a rise in sales but a sharp fall in full-year profits after spending nearly £900m to carry on trading through the Covid pandemic. The UK’s largest supermarket said “exceptionally strong” revenue grew by 7% to £53.4bn.
However, pre-tax profits dropped by nearly 20% following a number of Covid-related costs including giving full pay to staff off work ill or shielding.
It also incurred £535m after forgoing business rates relief.
Tesco’s full year pre-tax profit fell from £1bn to £825m.
Tests expand on mixed-vaccine trial
A mix and match Covid vaccine trial is being expanded as we await the results of the first stage of the study. The UK trial is looking at whether two-jab vaccines can be mixed with different types. More than 800 people have so far taken part in the Com-Cov research, with results expected next month. Experts are trying to find out whether combining vaccines might give broader, longer-lasting immunity against the virus and new variants of it, and also offer more flexibility for vaccine rollout.
Health experts generally agree that mixing and matching vaccines such as Pfizer and AstraZeneca jabs should be safe. But the trial will check for any side-effects or unwanted reactions. Anyone taking part will have blood taken to check how well the vaccines trigger an immune response – in the form of antibodies and T cells – to combat Covid.
UK health ministers’ statement on JCVI advice (13 April 2021)
A joint statement from the 4 UK health ministers on JCVI advice for phase 2 of the COVID-19 vaccination programme.
UK moves into next phase of vaccine roll-out as government target hit early
Everybody in cohorts 1 to 9 have been offered a vaccine, with people aged 45 to 49 now invited to book their appointments.
LOCAL / REGIONAL NEWS & UPDATES:
Latest Stockport data:
Total Stockport cases: 20,820 to 13th April
Cases in the latest week: 113 (58 fewer cases than previous week)
Total deaths: 711 to April 2nd
Cases per 100,000: 39 per 100,000 (England area avg: 18)
R number in North West: 0.8 – 1.0
Number of 1st dose of vaccine: 145,684 people have received 1st dose vaccine to 4th April
REGIONAL & LOCAL NEWS:
Scroll down for the latest Coronavirus Grant news for Stockport based businesses
Agency will never go back to 9-6 working model
A North West digital marketing agency has announced it will “never go back to the old stale nine to six model” – and that it is adopting a “24/7 work where you want, how you want” model for staff after a big office move. Kolodo, which was originally founded in Cheshire before moving to Liverpool’s Royal Albert Dock, has returned to its roots following a period of reflection caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
MD Josh Diamond said the disruption demonstrated “a company’s worth must be measured by its abilities and wellbeing, not simply its business address”.
Stockport College celebrates covid-community partnerships with video release
Stockport College has celebrated it Community Partnerships formed as part of its coronavirus response in a short video. The Stockport College Community Partnership has been an integral part of the College’s response to Coronavirus (COVID-19). As the region moves forward from the pandemic, returning to work or education and rebuilding the local economy, the partnership continues to enable much needed support for the college’s students, their families and the wider community. View here
SECTOR SPECIFIC CORONAVIRUS-RELATED NEWS:
BUSINESS:
Pay VAT deferred due to coronavirus (COVID-19)
Find out how to pay VAT payments deferred between 20 March and 30 June 2020. You can pay now or join the VAT deferral new payment scheme – information has been added on penalties or interest that may be charged if you do not pay in full or make an arrangement to pay and how you may still be able to avoid these charges.
COMMUNITY:
COVID-19: guidance for arranging or attending a funeral during the coronavirus pandemic
Guidance for arranging or attending a funeral during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic – updated in line with regulation changes made on 29 March and 12 April. Private providers of coronavirus testing
Lists of and information about approved suppliers of private testing kits for coronavirus (COVID-19) – updated both lists of providers.
By working in collaboration, Stockport can become united and encouraged to build a better future for everyone by supporting the local economy, connecting communities and promoting health & wellbeing. Find out more at www.onestockport.co.uk
CONSTRUCTION:
Construction rebound resumes as output jumps up 1.6%
Output rose by 1.6% in February, marking the second monthly rise in 2021, this time driven by a resurgent commercial sector. The construction industry still stands head and shoulders above all other sectors as the fastest-growing part of the economy. Not even a downward revision of January’s figure could take the shine off another strong month of growth for Britain’s builders. While new work was 7.8% below the February 2020 pre-Covid level, repair and maintenance work was 2.2% above the watermark level joining infrastructure as a fully recovered sector.
EDUCATION:
Actions for early years and childcare providers during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
What childcare services early years settings, childminders and local authorities need to provide during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak – guidance updated to reflect step 2 of the roadmap out of lockdown, on singing in parent and child groups, educational trips, and for staff and children who are clinically extremely vulnerable. Updated the face coverings section on visual communication, visors and exemptions.
(COVID-19) Coronavirus restrictions: what you can and cannot do
Coronavirus restrictions remain in place. Find out what you can and cannot do – updated guidance on in-person teaching at universities and higher education.
Higher education providers: coronavirus (COVID-19)
Information on students returning to or starting higher education during spring and summer 2021 terms and HE operational guidance – updated the ‘Students returning to, and starting, higher education in the spring term’ guidance with information on when students can return to campus, educational visits and field trips, the opening of, and access to facilities, testing students and staff, transparent face coverings and face visors, shielding, travelling to the devolved administrations via a connecting flight in England and international students and coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination.
Remaining university students to return to campus from Step 3 of the roadmap, no earlier than 17 May
Government confirms all university students yet to return to in-person teaching will be able to do so from Step 3 of the roadmap
JUDICIARY:
HMCTS weekly operational summary on courts and tribunals during coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
This page provides a weekly summary of the HM Courts and Tribunals Service operational position during the coronavirus pandemic.
HM Courts and Tribunals Service engagement groups
Professional and public user groups working with HMCTS on aspects of the reform programme, including collaboration on new development proposals.
PROPERTY:
Agents alert! Updated government guidance on possession action
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has issued updated guidance to include the recent extension of the bailiff enforcement ban. The ban was recently pushed out until May, but the official guidance was not updated until this week. For letting agents, read the guidance here
TRANSPORT:
Haulier coronavirus testing
To monitor the number of tests delivered and the positivity rate of the tests – latest data table added.
Transport use during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic
To monitor the use of the transport system during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. DfT provides statistics on transport use by mode – latest data table added.
CORONAVIRUS GRANTS FOR BUSINESSES IN STOCKPORT:
Stockport Council release details of Government’s Restart Grant
The Restart Grant scheme supports businesses in the non-essential retail, hospitality, leisure, personal care and accommodation sectors with a one-off grant, to reopen safely as COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.
The Restart Grant will be split into two strands:
– Strand one will be for non-essential retail businesses that may be entitled to a one-off cash grant of up to £6,000.
– Strand two will be for hospitality, accommodation, leisure, personal care and gym businesses that may be entitled to a one-off cash grant of up to £18,000.
Eligible businesses:
Non-essential retail
These are businesses that are open to the public and used for retail sale or hire of goods or services. This includes businesses that:
- were required to close during national restrictions from January 2021
- sell directly to consumer
Hospitality
These are businesses that provide a venue for the sale of food and drink. This includes businesses that:
- offer in-person food and drink services to the general public
- provide food and/or drink to be consumed on the premises, including outdoors
Leisure
These are businesses that provide opportunities, experiences and facilities, in particular for culture, recreation, entertainment, celebratory events, days and nights out, betting and gaming. This includes businesses that:
- provide in-person experiences in addition to goods
- rely on seasonal labour
- operate with irregular hours during the day, night and weekends
Accommodation
These are businesses that provide lodging for holiday, travel and other purposes.
Gym and sports
These are businesses where physical exercise, training, group sporting and athletic activities takes place. This may be on an individual or group basis, using exercise equipment or open floor space. This includes businesses that:
- offer in-person exercise and sport activities to the general public
- are open to members of the public paying an entry or membership fee
- offer exercise classes or activities
Personal care
These are businesses that provide a service, treatment or activity for the purposes of personal beauty, hair, grooming, body care and aesthetics, and wellbeing. This includes businesses that:
- deliver in-person holistic, beauty and hair treatments
- provide services such as tattoos and piercings
Businesses are not eligible if they:
- do not have a business property and do not pay business rates
- are in liquidation, dissolved, struck off or subject to a striking off notice
There are also businesses in strand two that are not eligible, these include:
- takeaway premises
- coach tour operators and tour operators
- dental services, opticians, chiropractors, osteopaths and other medical/health services
How much will businesses will receive?
Strand one
The Restart Grant will support non-essential retail premises with one-off grants of up to £6,000.
Businesses that have a rateable value:
- of £15,000 or less on 1 April 2021 will receive a payment of £2,667
- between £15,001 and £50,999 on 1 April 2021 will receive a payment of £4,000
- of £51,000 or more on 1 April 2021 will receive a payment of £6,000
Strand two
The Restart Grant will also support hospitality, accommodation, leisure, personal care and gym business premises with one-off grants of up to £18,000.
Businesses that have a rateable value:
- of £15,000 or less on 1 April 2021 will receive a payment of £8,000
- between £15,001 and £50,999 on 1 April 2021 will receive a payment of £12,000
- of £51,000 or more on 1 April 2021 will receive a payment of £18,000
Discretionary Grant Scheme – Additional Restrictions Grant
The Council launched an Economic Recovery Fund on 26/03/21, which provides 5 new business grants through the Additional Restrictions Grant funding.
Applications for the current Additional Restrictions Grant scheme, and the Micro-Business grant scheme will close on 30/04/21 and no further applications will be accepted for these original ARG schemes after that date.
The new Economic Recovery Fund ARG schemes are:
- The Stockport Economic Recovery Boost Grant
This grant will be provided to businesses that have been successful in applying for the original ARG scheme for closed businesses that have separate commercial premises with ongoing costs. Businesses do not need to apply for this scheme as their details are already held and will be used to identify eligible businesses which will be contacted during April 2021 about their further grant payment under this scheme.
This grant is to support smaller, independent retail operators with premises in the market place and Underbanks area only, to reopen and restart their businesses.
This is a one-off fixed grant of £3,000 for each business that successfully applies.
Businesses that wish to apply should email skladgrants@stockport.co.uk asking for the eligibility and application guidance and application form for the Stockport Economic Recovery Market Place & Underbanks Independent Retailer Boost Grant. Applications for this grant scheme will close on 31/05/2021.
- The Stockport Economic Recovery Hospitality Sector Boost Grant
This grant is for supporting the reopening and restart of hospitality sector businesses with their own premises in Stockport.
This is a one-off fixed grant of £5,000 for each business that successfully applies. Businesses that wish to apply should email skladgrants@stockport.co.uk asking for the eligibility and application guidance and application form for the Stockport Economic Recovery Hospitality Sector Boost Grant. Applications for this grant scheme will close on 31/05/2021.
- The Stockport Economic Recovery Covid Capital Grant
This grant is for businesses to apply for to make changes to premises and/or to buy additional kit to support reopening and operating in a covid secure way.
Businesses that wish to apply should email skladgrants@stockport.co.uk asking for the eligibility and application guidance and application form for the Stockport Economic Recovery Covid Capital Grant. Applications for this grant scheme will close on 31/05/2021.
- The Stockport Economic Recovery Locality Boost Grant
This grant is for district centre trading associations, or their equivalent, to bid in to for their local areas to run stimulus events to drive local footfall and customers into local areas to use local businesses that are reopening.
Where localities do not have training associations that can lead a bid, an equivalent lead accountable body or local business will need to be agreed by businesses in that locality to lead as the single point of contact for their area.
There will only be one application accepted and one grant, if successful, provided per locality. Businesses that wish to apply should email skladgrants@stockport.co.uk asking for the eligibility and application guidance and application form for the Stockport Economic Recovery Locality Boost Grant.
Applications for this grant scheme will close on 17/05/2021 (please note this is earlier than for the other schemes).
Information about the grant schemes, eligibility and the online application form are available at this link – Discretionary Grant Schemes – Stockport Council
Covid-19 Webinars:
Transition to Teach host webinar to aid HR with redeployment
Transition to Teach are delivering a free online presentation on Wednesday, 21st April at 12.00, aimed specifically at HR staff with redeployment responsibilities. Places can be booked at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/transition-to-teach-outplacement-support-tickets-145448523449?aff=ebdsoporgprofile
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.
Make your workplace COVID-secure:
You can find recordings of webinars covering other types of workplace here
HMRC:
Coronavirus COVID-19 Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme:
Providing an overview of the scheme, this webinar looks at who can claim, when to start paying SSP, employees you can claim for, making a claim, keeping records, and more. Choose a date and time to view webinar
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.
Twice weekly: EnterprisingYou
Finance support for the self-employed webinars For info about latest webinar date announcements please visit the website https://enterprising-you.co.uk/latest-news/
ACAS
A series of courses to help businesses with transition from lockdown
Useful information and links:
Useful Government links for easing out of lockdown:
- Roadmap – Spring 2021: including the easing of restrictions from 29 March
- Covid-19 Vaccine
- Workplace Testing
- Back To School translations
- Stay Home translations
Coronavirus Roadmap out of lockdown – what and when?
From 29 March:
- People will be allowed to meet outside, either with one other household or within the “rule of six”, including in private gardens
- The stay at home rule will end, but the government will urge people to stay local as much as possible
- Outdoor sport facilities will reopen, including golf courses and tennis and basketball courts, and formally organised outdoor sports can restart
- Weddings attended by up to six people can take place in any circumstances
Stage two (no earlier than 12 April):
- All shops allowed to open, along with close-contact services, including hairdressers and beauty salons (including in people’s homes)
- Restaurants and pubs allowed to serve food and alcohol to customers sitting outdoors Gyms and spas can reopen, as can zoos, theme parks, libraries and community centres
- Members of the same household can take a holiday in the UK in self-contained accommodation
- Weddings attended by up to 15 people can take place
Stage three (no earlier than 17 May):
- People can meet in groups of up to 30 outdoors
- Six people or two households can meet indoors
- Pubs, restaurants and other hospitality venues can seat customers indoors
- Up to 30 people can attend weddings or other life events, like christenings
- Remaining outdoor entertainment, such as outdoor theatres and cinemas can open
- Indoor entertainment such as museums, theatres, cinemas and children’s play areas can open
- Performances and large events can restart, but with limits on audience numbers
- Hotels, hostels and B&Bs can reopen
- International leisure travel may resume
- Adult indoor group sports and exercise classes can restart
Stage four (no earlier than 21 June):
- All legal limits on social contact will be removed
- No legal limits on the number of people who can attend weddings, funerals and other life events
- Nightclubs will be allowed to reopen
Publishing information about your claimsIn January HMRC published the list of employers who claimed under the CJRS for periods from December onwards, on GOV???.UK.
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:
- Extending the length of the loan from six years to 10;
- Making interest-only payments for six months, then repaying the principal on a phased basis with other interest-only periods;
- Delaying repayments entirely for up to six months.
Check if your business is eligible for a coronavirus grant due to national restrictions (for closed businesses)
Check if your business is eligible for the coronavirus Closed Businesses Lockdown Payment
Check if you’re eligible for the coronavirus Additional Restrictions Grant
Check if your nightclub, dance hall or adult entertainment business is eligible for a coronavirus grant due to national restrictions
Check if you’re eligible for the coronavirus Local Restrictions Support Grant (for closed businesses)
Check if you’re eligible for the coronavirus Local Restrictions Support Grant (for open businesses)
Check if you’re eligible for the Christmas Support Payment for wet-led pubs
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
Coronavirus – Guidance for employees and employers in Stockport: https://www.stockport.gov.uk/guidance-for-employees-employers-and-businesses
COVID-19 Winter Plan
The government’s plan for managing COVID-19 through the end of 2020 and into the start of 2021.
Check which employees you can put on furlough to use the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
Find out which employees you can put on furlough and claim for through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.
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.
Full list of local COVID alert levels by area
The areas in England listed as local COVID alert level high and local COVID alert level very high.
Local COVID Alert Level Posters
A series of graphical posters displaying information about the Local COVID Alert Level.
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.
Self-Employment Income Support Scheme grant extension
Find out if you’re eligible and how much you can get.
Visit the Stockport Council website to report details of any outbreaks online. https://www.stockport.gov.uk/coronavirus-in-stockport/report-a-coronavirus-outbreak
The SMBC website and produce a form for completion online if anyone wants to report an outbreak. The links are now live and are below:
https://www.stockport.gov.uk/coronavirus-in-stockport/report-a-coronavirus-outbreak
https://www.stockport.gov.uk/guidance-for-employees-employers-and-businesses
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.
Coronavirus outbreak FAQs: what you can and can’t do
Frequently asked questions on what you can and can’t do during the coronavirus outbreak – guidance updated in line with new regulations coming into force on 4 July.
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 SchemeFrom 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.
Stockport park unveils tribute to young community hero 
Research finds Covid-19 has not fundamentally changed the UK labour market 
Government sets out ‘Living with COVID’ next steps from 1st April