UK STATISTICS
Total UK Cases: 6,322,241 positive tests
Latest UK daily figure: 26,852 new cases
Number in UK hospital: 6,303, 320 more than on previous day
New deaths across UK: 170
Total UK deaths: 131,149
England Cases per 100,000: 294
R number in UK: 0.8 to 1.1
Vaccine data:
Total 1st doses given: 47,369,418 (89.6% of UK adults)
Total 2nd doses: 40,841,971 (77.2% of UK adults)
Daily 1st doses: 35,716
Daily 2nd doses: 138,390
There have been 6.3 million confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK and over 131,000 people have died, government figures show.
However, these figures include only people who have died within 28 days of testing positive for coronavirus. Almost 90% of adults in the UK have now had their first dose of a coronavirus vaccine and 77% have had their second
Latest Stockport data:
Total Stockport cases: 32,265 to 16 August
Cases in the latest week: 974, up 15 on previous week
Total deaths: 736 to July 30th
Cases per 100,000: 331 per 100,000 week ending 12 August
R number in North West: 0.7 – 1.0
Stockport vaccine data:
1st dose: 85% of adults to 15 August
2nd dose: 76%
Slides, datasets and transcripts to accompany coronavirus press conferences
Updated with slides to accompany coronavirus press conferences
Visit the COVID-19 Travel Regulations interactive map here
UK NEWS UPDATES
UK wages soar by 8.8% year-on-year after workers taken off furlough
Workers’ wages have surged higher following the reopening of the economy amid fears over the impact of inflation.
Price rises cool amid clothes and shoe discounting
The UK inflation rate fell to 2% in the year to July as the economy continued to reopen from Covid-19 restrictions.
Urgent call for Covid-safe ventilation in schools
There is an urgent call for action on ventilation in schools – to slow the spread of Covid-19 – when pupils return, in September
Nando’s forced to close 50 restaurants due to supply chain disruptions
The peri-peri chicken maker, which operates some 400 sites around the country including Stockport, also said it would lend some of its staff to its suppliers to help “get things moving” again after its business was rocked by shortages.
One in 20 deaths in England and Wales involve coronavirus
This is the highest proportion of deaths involving the virus since March, according to data from the Office of National Statistics
Covid-vaccine scientists begin plague-jab trial
UK scientists behind the AstraZeneca Covid jab have given the first trial volunteers a new plague vaccine.
Trendy shoffices and pizza ovens raised lockdown fire risks
Trendy neighbours may have bought fire pits and pizza ovens during lockdown, or worked from home in a shoffice – but the risk of an expensive blaze grew.
REGIONAL & LOCAL NEWS:
Stockport hits adult vaccination target as 16-17 year-olds invited for first jab
The borough’s vaccination programme has reached the Government target of 85% of the Stockport adult population, but health chiefs warn there are still more jabs to do as 16 to 17 year olds are invited to get vaccinated.
Stockport B Corporation among shortlisted for North West business awards
Stockport B Corporation and schoolwear manufacturer, One+All, is among the businesses shortlisted at the 2021 North West Business Masters Awards.
Contractor invests town centre office building
A contractor, specialising in office fit-outs and commercial build projects, has purchased Watson House on Waterloo Road in Stockport town centre for its new head office.
Community Champions invited to volunteer to help Stockport recover from impact of pandemic
Stockport Council has put out a call for volunteers to help their communities recover from the impact of coronavirus (COVID-19) following the award of over £350,000 in Community Champions grants.
North West football clubs hit by Covid-19
Revenues at the North West’s Premier League and Championship football clubs dropped off due to the pandemic, a Deloitte study has found.
The study said revenues took a hit as the European football market contracted as a result of the impact of Covid-19.
SECTOR SPECIFIC CORONAVIRUS-RELATED NEWS:
BUSINESS:
Find out how to reduce the risk of COVID-19 spreading in your workplace
These guides cover a range of different types of work. You may need to use more than one of these guides as you think through what you need to do to keep people safe.
Employer Bulletin: August 2021
In this month’s edition of the Employer Bulletin there are important updates and information.
The Pandemic’s Lasting Impact On Employee Engagement
From concerns about burnout and isolation to virtual happy hours and team-building events, the pandemic flipped traditional employee engagement on its head. Listen to this podcast from Forrester research.
Managing staff mental health in a hybrid work environment
New data from LinkedIn found 38% of UK workers would prefer to work remotely full-time in the future, 49% prefer hybrid working, and only 12% want to work full-time in the office.
Help employers with the Kickstart Scheme (Kickstart gateway)
Information for Kickstart gateways on how to help employers with the Kickstart Scheme and how to add jobs or employers to the grant agreement – added callout about advertising vacancies to ‘Getting the young people into the jobs’ section and added a paragraph about the remittance advice gateways receive when they get the funding in the section ‘How you will get the funding’.
Apply for a Kickstart Scheme grant
If you’re an employer looking to create jobs for young people, you can apply for funding as part of the Kickstart Scheme – added callout about advertising vacancies yourself to ‘Getting the young people into the jobs’, added a paragraph about the remittance advice employers receive when they get the funding in the section ‘How you will get the funding’ and updated instructions for adding more jobs to the grant agreement following launch of online route for employers.
NHS Test and Trace in the workplace
What to do if you or someone you employ is required to self-isolate. This includes being contacted by NHS Test and Trace, self-isolation rules and financial support – updated to reflect the introduction of daily contact testing for workplaces.
How is furlough changing and when will it end?
In July 2021 employers were required to pay 10% of salaries – with the government’s contribution falling to 70%. In August and September, the government’s contribution will reduce further: it will pay 60% and employers will pay 20% The monthly limit of £2,500 will stay in place, so workers will not notice the difference.
BUSINESS PERSPECTIVE INSIGHTS
COVID-19: Implications for business – view from McKinsey
Latest perspectives on the coronavirus outbreak, the twin threats to lives and livelihoods, and how organisations can prepare for the next normal.
EDUCATION
A level 2021: <1% of teacher grades changed by boards
1 in 5 schools had their teacher-assessed A-level grades reviewed by exam boards but few had to make adjustments as a result
GCSE results 2021: How were grades decided?
Teachers were given the responsibility to award grades after exams were cancelled for the second year in a row, because of the pandemic.
Air purifier and UV light pilot to combat school virus spread
Air purifiers and ultraviolet lights are to be tested in schools in a £1.75m trial aimed at reducing the spread of Covid-19 in classrooms.
ENVIRONMENTAL
Hydrogen power offers jobs boost, says government
Thousands of new jobs could be created by investing in low-carbon hydrogen fuel to power vehicles and heat homes, the government says.
UK government launches plan for a world-leading hydrogen economy
First-ever vision to kick start world-leading hydrogen economy set to support over 9,000 UK jobs and unlock £4 billion investment by 2030.
Green car technology boost as government grants £91.7m to decarbonisation projects
The government has today announced more than £90m of funding for projects aiming to develop new green automotive technologies. The funding, which comes through the Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC), sees £91.7m contributed by the government and industries to support the development of low carbon technology.
HAULAGE & TRANSPORT
DVSA to recruit an extra 40 additional vocational driving examiners to help reduce lorry driver shortage
Measures ramped up to maximise testing capacity, including consulting on plans to streamline process for drivers to obtain an HGV licence.
Safer transport guidance for operators and people who work in or from vehicles – Gov Update
Safer working principles and risk assessment for transport operators and organisations, and people who work in or from vehicles, including couriers, mobile workers, lorry drivers, on-site transit and work vehicles.
Further drivers’ hours extension won’t fix driver shortage – but a package of short and long-term measures can
RHA Chief Executive, Richard Burnett said, “We reiterate that extending drivers’ hours can be counterproductive by making the job less attractive, especially at a time when firms are struggling to recruit and retain staff.
‘It will take at least 18 months to train100,000 HGV drivers’
RHA chief executive Richard Burnett has told Sky News that it will take at least 18 months to train enough HGV drivers to tackle the current shortage
HEALTHCARE
Digital transformation: Shaping the future of European healthcare
Over the past six months, the need to respond swiftly to the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the use of digital health technologies, but more remains to be done to ensure the equity and sustainability of healthcare. Download the Deloitte report.
HOSPITALITY, CATERING & EVENTS
Boost for events industry as CMA to clamp down on illegal ticket resale
The return of live events is set to be supported by new measures to protect consumers from ticket reselling. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has set out several recommended changes to the law and existing system of regulation for the reselling of tickets for live events.
British Nutrition Foundation review of government’s Eatwell Guide published today
Agriculture is a major contributor to global environmental change and there is rapidly growing recognition of the need to transform food systems to protect both human and planetary health.
Yodel records most successful year ever as revenues jump by £133m
Yodel has recorded its most successful year ever, delivering a profit “well beyond all forecasts” as online retail thrived due to the pandemic.
KFC warns menu items missing due to supply issues
KFC has warned that supply chain issues are disrupting both their food and packaging stocks nationwide.
Restaurant spend slows after post-lockdown demand surge
There are signs the initial pent-up demand from lockdown is cooling off in certain sectors, such as restaurants.
MANUFACTURING
New car registrations slow as shortages suppress growth
UK car buyers are turning to the used car market as the ongoing semiconductor shortage and ‘pingdemic’ hit automotive manufacturers.
60 manufacturing leaders have now received Made Smarter Leadership training
The fifth cohort of manufacturing business leaders and directors has completed a leadership training programme via the Made Smarter initiative to drive new technology uptake and productivity improvements in the North-west’s SME manufacturers.
PROPERTY & CONSTRUCTION
UK House Price Index for June 2021
The UK HPI shows house price changes for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Business rates plans will make appeals more onerous & expensive, experts warn
The government’s latest proposals for business rates reform will create more difficulties for retailers launching appeals than benefits, property consultants have warned.
Construction Materials Shortage Sees Materials Prices Rise 14% in a Year
The construction materials shortage is worsening and home improvers are feeling the pinch as prices soar.
RETAIL
Europe’s biggest shoe retailer Deichmann looks to expand in UK
Europe’s biggest shoe retailer Deichmann, with a store in Stockport, is looking to expand its UK footprint and believes it could double its estate of 109 stores as it takes aim to become the market leader in “family footwear”.
Hotter Shoes reports double hike in casual shoe sales
Hotter Shoes, available at Meeks in Stockport Town Centre, has reported that sales of casual shoes have nearly doubled during the pandemic with no signs of the trend slowing.
Adidas agrees 2.1bn Reebok sale
Adidas has entered into a definitive agreement to sell Reebok to Authentic Brands Group for a total consideration of up to €2.1bn (£1.8bn).
SOCIAL, COMMUNITY & CARE:
Deadline looms for parents to update Child Benefit for 16 year olds
Families with children staying in full-time non-advanced education or approved training post 16 must inform HMRC by 31 August to receive Child Benefit.
Arrangements for visiting out of the care home
Sets out how care homes can support residents on visits outside of the care home.
COVID-19: guidance for households with possible coronavirus infection
Stay at home guidance for households with possible coronavirus (COVID-19) infection.
TRAVEL:
Latest travel restrictions
Latest interactive live travel map here
Foreign travel advice
Get advice about travelling abroad, including the latest information on coronavirus, safety and security, entry requirements and travel warnings.
Quarantine and testing if you’ve been in an amber list country
What to do before and after you arrive in England if you’ve been in an amber list country in the 10 days before you arrive – updated information about arrivals from France. The new rules will come into effect on 8 August.
Booking and staying in a quarantine hotel if you’ve been in a red list country
How to book a quarantine hotel and coronavirus (COVID-19) tests if you’ve been in a red list country in the 10 days before you arrive in England – update to reflect an increase in quarantine hotel costs from 4am on 12 August.
Red, amber and green list rules for entering England
Countries rated as red, amber or green for coronavirus (COVID-19) and the rules you must follow to enter England. From 4am Sunday 8 August, the fully vaccinated amber rules will apply to France. At the same time, Austria, Germany, Latvia, Norway, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia will move to green list. Bahrain, India, Qatar and United Arab Emirates will move to amber list. Georgia, Mayotte, Mexico and Reunion will move to red list.
CORONAVIRUS GRANTS FOR BUSINESSES IN STOCKPORT:
Discretionary Grants summary:
As at 29/07/2021
- Received: 2,911
- Processed: 2,911 (100%)
- Grants Funding Issued: £10,843,331
Restart Grants summary:
Grant allocation: £14,652,603
Number of businesses eligible: 1,845
Number received a grant: 1,799
Total value of payments made: £12,823,488
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:
Stage four (19th July):
- 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
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.
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