UK STATISTICS
Total UK Cases: 5,563,006 positive tests
Latest UK daily figure: 44,104 new cases
Number in UK hospital: 4,658, +59 on previous day
New deaths across UK: 73
Total UK deaths: 128,896
England Cases per 100,000: 483
R number in UK: 1.2 to 1.4
Vaccine data:
Total 1st doses given: 46,388,744
Total 2nd doses: 35,970,848
Daily 1st doses: 39,305
Daily 2nd doses: 161,279
There have been more than 5.5 million confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK and more than 128,500 people have died, government figures show. However, these figures include only people who have died within 28 days of testing positive for coronavirus. More than 46 million people in the UK have now had their first dose of a coronavirus vaccine and over 35 million people have also had their second vaccine.
Latest Stockport data:
Total Stockport cases: 28,522 to 21 July
Cases in the latest week: 1,782, up 543 on previous week
Total deaths: 731 to July 9th
Cases per 100,000: 607 per 100,000 week ending 12 July
R number in North West: 1.1 – 1.3
Stockport vaccine data:
1st dose: 84% of adults to 20 July
2nd dose: 68%
The R value and growth rate in England
The R range for England is 1.1 to 1.3 and the growth rate range for England is +3% to +6% per day as of 2 July 2021. Following the announcement of plans to ease of lockdown, the roadmap can be found in full here.
Slides, datasets and transcripts to accompany coronavirus press conferences
UK NEWS UPDATES:
More than 600,000 pinged and told to isolate by NHS App
More than 600,000 people using the NHS Covid-19 app in England and Wales were sent self-isolation alerts in the week between 8 and 15 July.
Data shows 618,903 alerts were sent – a 17% rise from the previous week.
However, some fully vaccinated key workers will be exempt from self-isolating if they are pinged by the app as a close contact of a positive case.
Business secretary Kwasi Kwarteng told the BBC a “very narrow” list of jobs would be released today. Self-isolation for all fully vaccinated people pinged by the app as close contacts is due to be scrapped by 16 August, he added. The app alert is advisory only and not enforceable by law, unlike a phone call from the Test and Trace team.
Customers told not to panic buy as shop staff pinged by track & trace App
Supermarkets have warned the rising number of retail workers being forced to self-isolate is beginning to affect the availability of some products. The Co-op said it was “running low on some products”, whilst Iceland said the rising number of retail workers affected risks shutting shops. However, Iceland urged shoppers not to panic buy, saying it was not necessary.
Business Secretary Kwasi Kwateng said the government was looking at the supply chains of critical industries and we are reviewing that situation. Firms want people who have been double vaccinated or have daily tests to be able to return to work.
Mr Kwarteng said that the government would publish guidance ‘later on’ on which sectors will be exempt, although he declined to comment on whether it would include the food industry.
Minister Zahawi update to the House on step 4 and NHS COVID Pass
The minister updated the house on a range of issues from vaccine effectiveness to the NHS COVID Pass
REGIONAL & LOCAL NEWS:
musicMagpie’s famous Mount Recylemore comes home to Stockport
A giant Mount Rushmore-style sculpture of the G7 leaders’ heads, made entirely of discarded electronics, that appeared on a beach in Cornwall during the G7 climate summit, is set to spend the summer in Stockport. Commissioned by Stockport-based leading UK re-commerce expert, musicMagpie, and brought to Stockport in partnership with Stockport’s BID team at Totally Stockport and with Stockport Council, the sculpture highlights the growing threat of e-waste. It is made from approximately 20,000 individual items of e-waste, and will be in situ for eight weeks from July 21st at business hub Stockport Exchange
TfGM launches sustainable travel support package for businesses
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has launched an £800,000 funding package and web portal to help businesses and employers embed sustainable travel behaviours. Public transport trip numbers dropped significantly during the Covid-19 pandemic as people were encouraged to stay at home and keep capacity free for those who needed it most. However, trips by car remained high over the past year, and are now close to pre-pandemic levels as restrictions and advice to work from home comes to an end. If that trend continues, and more people opt for private car use over public transport or cycling and walking, traffic congestion could cost GM businesses more than the £1.3 billion it did before coronavirus.
SMEs receive over £100m from Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund
The Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund (NPIF) has delivered more than £100 million in investment to 270 SMEs across the region during the Covid-19 pandemic since April 2020. Of that total, £60 million has come from debt finance, £7 million through the NPIF’s microfinance programme. Northern SMEs have also received £35 million from equity investments; NPIF’s co-investors from the private sector have added a further £150 million. In total, 270 businesses across Northern England have received funding across nearly 400 transactions. The NPIF Debt and Microfinance funds have been able to offer Government’s Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) backed loans.
£1.2m to support 450 people into North West tech careers
Skills City, a training provider that supports alternative routes into employment in the tech sector, has been awarded £1.2 million from the Department for Education (DfE) to support 450 people in the North West through Skills Bootcamps. Based at MediaCityUK and developed by HOST, Skills City will host six DfE funded bootcamps as part of a wider rollout of training programmes and part of the government’s Lifetime Skills Guarantee and Plan for Jobs. The funding will support 450 people with fair access to digital skills training, by breaking the barriers faced by those from underrepresented and disadvantaged backgrounds and empowering them into technology careers; 50 per cent of learners will be women in order to drive gender parity in the tech sector.
Pop up Covid-19 vaccine clinics return to Stockport town centre
Mersey Square, Stockport Town Centre, is the venue for the Covid-19 vaccination pop up clinic this Thursday, 22 July, and Friday, 23 July, from 10am to 4pm. No appointment required. The mobile vaccination unit will be located outside Superdrug in Mersey Square, SK1 1SP, offering first and second AstraZeneca or Pfizer vaccinations to anyone 18 years of age and over, subject to eligibility and assessment. It is the second dose of the vaccine which offers maximum protection. Anyone who has had their first vaccination eight weeks ago, or more, is now urged to come forward for their second to protect themselves, their families and their friends.
SECTOR SPECIFIC CORONAVIRUS-RELATED NEWS:
BUSINESS:
Royal Mail announces 20% revenue increase on pre-pandemic levels
Royal Mail has announced today that its revenues have risen by 20 per cent compared to pre-pandemic levels. The postal organisation saw its first quarter group revenue rise by 20.2 per cent compared to the same period in 2020, and by 12.5 per cent compared to the same period last year. The number of parcels sent via Royal Mail during the period decreased by 13 per cent compared to last year, but were still 19 per cent higher than in 2019.
Coronavirus (COVID-19): jobs that qualify for travel exemptions
Jobs that qualify for exemptions from quarantine, passenger locator form or COVID testing requirements – exemption for specialist technical port workers supporting ferry services added.
Bespoke testing for jobs with travel exemptions
Find out about bespoke testing legally required for certain types of work.
COMMUNITY:
Moving home during coronavirus (COVID-19)
Guidance for those working within the home buying and selling process and those moving home.
CONSTRUCTION:
Coronavirus (COVID-19): construction update Q&A
Questions and answers on the announcement on construction site working hours to enable social distancing working practices – update to explain why the statement has been retained beyond step 4 of the roadmap out of lockdown.
Pingdemic intensifying supply shortages
Construction materials leaders are warning that supply chain shortages are being exacerbated by the NHS Covid app ‘pingdemic’.
The latest problems were highlighted in a statement from the Construction Leadership Council’s Product Availability working group. Its update warned that “labour shortages are being exacerbated by the growing number of non-symptomatic drivers, tradespeople, merchant and manufacturing staff required to self-isolate after coming into contact with someone who tested positive for Covid-19. This will further stretch the supply chain.”
EVENTS & VENUES:
G M Mayor calls for greater clarity on vaccine passports for venues
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has called on the Government to publish guidance on the planned introduction of vaccine passports for nightclubs and other crowded venues in the autumn. The mayor said he had received calls from the hospitality sector in the region for greater clarity over the proposed passports which are expected to be brought in during September. Speaking at his regular virtual press conference, Mr Burnham added that there has been “confusion” over the policy.
Double vaccine passport required for large gatherings from September
People attending nightclubs and other venues where large crowds gather in England will need to be fully vaccinated from the end of September, the government says.
Latest figures show 35% of 18 to 30-year-olds have not had their first jab.
Currently nightclubs and other crowded venues are only encouraged to ask clubbers to show proof of vaccination, a negative test result or immunity.
But Boris Johnson said he was concerned by the continuing risk of transmission.
The announcement came on the day nightclubs in England were allowed to reopen after 16 months of closure.
HEALTH & WELLBEING:
Management information on LFD test registration rates: 22 July 2021
Supplementary information on lateral flow device (LFD) test registration rates to support information presented at the Public Accounts Committee meeting on 8 July 2021.
Public urged to continue protecting family and friends
New government campaign launches across England to remind public of importance of continuing healthy behaviours to reduce the spread of COVID-19
Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance
Find guidance about coronavirus (COVID-19) for health and social care settings, other non-clinical settings, and for the general public.
Weekly statistics for NHS Test and Trace (England)
Experimental statistics from the NHS Test and Trace service and related documents.
Private providers of coronavirus (COVID-19) testing
Lists of and information about private providers who have self-declared that they meet the government’s minimum standards for the type of commercial COVID-19 testing service they offer.
COVID-19: management of staff and exposed patients and residents in health and social care settings
Guidance on the management of staff, patients and residents who have been exposed to COVID-19 – updated information for fully vaccinated staff who have been identified as contacts attending work in exceptional circumstances.
Coronavirus: how to stay safe and help prevent the spread
Find out how how to stay safe and help prevent the spread of coronavirus.
LEGAL:
Making and registering an LPA during the coronavirus outbreak
If you want to make an LPA now, you can as long as you follow government guidance – edited due to lifting of restrictions on 19 July
PROPERTY:
HMRC warns of “negative impacts” coronavirus on sales figures
HM Revenue & Customs has warned of what it calls the “negative impacts” of the pandemic on the latest property transactions figures. HMRC says the 213,120 transactions last month meant there was a 219.1 per cent increase in residential transactions from June 2020 to June 2021, which is 74.1 per cent higher than year-on-year figures to May this year. However, HMRC warns that the housing market was almost wholly shut down a year earlier, making the annual comparison difficult – and it also says there was significant evidence of forestalling in the property market in June this year, with transactions completed early to take advantage of the stamp duty holiday, which ended for properties up to £500,000 on June 30.
Government updates Covid guidance for rental sector
The information coincides with Propertymark’s best practice guidance, and the key government changes concern ventilation and carrying out repairs and maintenance work, clinically extremely vulnerable people and repairs and maintenance work, and reducing the risk of infection in shared accommodation, accommodation with shared facilities, and overcrowded accommodation. Key dates to remember are that from August 1 2021, the notice period for cases where there are less than four months of unpaid rent, will further reduce to two months’ notice, and that the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme – aka the furlough scheme – is in place until the end of September 2021, with employees continuing to receive 80 per cent of wages for hours not worked.
SPORT:
Guidance on coronavirus (COVID-19) measures for grassroots sport participants, providers and facility operators
This guidance sets out information for the public and sport providers on how to organise and participate in grassroots sport and physical activity as safely as possible.
TRAVEL:
Ryanair launches new routes from Manchester Airport
Low-cost airline, Ryanair, has announced a number of new services from Manchester Airport, with the carrier predicting a strong recovery in demand this summer. The airline will operate a total of 315 weekly flights, serving 67 destinations. Ryanair is also adding four new summer routes from Manchester Airport, with another six destinations being added in winter. New routes will connect Manchester Airport with the Romanian capital, Bucharest, Knock in Ireland, Verona in Italy and the Greek island of Santorini. Additions for the winter schedule include Kaunas, Lithuania; Poznan, Poland; Suceava, Romania; Zagreb, Croatia; and Paphos, Cyprus.
CORONAVIRUS GRANTS FOR BUSINESSES IN STOCKPORT:
Applications for the Economic Recovery Fund ARG Localities Grant closed 31st May
Discretionary Grants summary:
As at 15/07/2021
- 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: 1,780
Total value of payments made: £12,667,488
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.