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UK STATISTICS
There have been about 8.6 million confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK and more than 139,000 people have died, government figures show. Around 86% of people in the UK aged 12 and over have had their first dose of a coronavirus vaccine and around 79% have had their second.
Total UK Cases: 8,641,221 positive tests
Latest UK daily figure: 52,009 new cases
Number in UK hospital: 8,142, 223 more than on previous day
New deaths across UK: 115
Total UK deaths: 139,146
England Cases per 100,000: 479 (rising)
R number in UK: 0.9 to 1.1
Vaccine data:
Total 1st doses given: 49,554,407 – 90% of UK aged 16+
Total 2nd doses: 45,433,757 – 82%
Daily 1st doses: 49,080
Daily 2nd doses: 26,365
Latest Stockport data:
Total Stockport cases: 44,596 to 20 October
Cases in the latest week: 1,661, 65 fewer than previous week
Total deaths: 759 to October 8th (+1)
Cases per 100,000: 565 per 100,000 week ending 16 October
R number in North West: 0.9 – 1.1
Stockport vaccine data:
1st dose: 82% of over 12s to 17 October
2nd dose: 76%
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 15 October 2021
Slides, datasets and transcripts to accompany coronavirus press conferences
Updated with slides to accompany coronavirus press conferences
Slides to accompany coronavirus press conference: 20 October 2021
Slides on coronavirus presented by Dr Jenny Harries, Chief Executive of the UK Health Security Agency.
UK NEWS UPDATES:
Retailers on hiring spree pre-Christmas
Many retailers are looking to hire more seasonal employees in a bid to get ahead of the Christmas chaos and demand for grocery and gifts.
Morrisons: 3000 extra colleagues on a temporary or permanent basis;
Aldi: 1500 temporary Christmas store roles in addition to the 2000 permanent jobs
Sainsburys: 22,000 seasonal jobs are on offer in its bigeest ever recruitment drive
Tesco: 30,000 temporary roles to meet higher demand over Christmas
John Lewis & Waitrose: recruiting an additional 7,000 plus 550 permanent roles
National campaign launches to encourage take up of booster jab
Millions of people have so far had a booster jab – a third dose of a Covid vaccine to increase immunity. The eligible groups are:
- Over-50s
- Frontline health and social care workers
- Older adults in residential care homes
- People aged 16-49 years old with underlying health conditions which put them at greater risk of severe Covid
- Adults sharing a home with vulnerable people
The booster vaccines are only given six months after the second dose has been administered. More than nine million people are currently eligible in England, with more than four million having received the extra jab so far. A total of 30 million people across the UK will eventually be offered booster jabs. More than four million people have had their booster jabs so far, which are available to over-50s six months after their second dose. 9.3 million people are currently eligible, leaving a large shortfall in the numbers getting their boosters.
Used-car prices soar due to combination of pandemic and shortage of new cars
The prices of second-hand cars are soaring, thanks to a combination of pent up demand being “unleashed” after the first lockdown and a dearth of new cars caused by the global computer-chip shortage. Motoring group the AA suggests the prices of the UK’s most popular “nearly new” cars have risen by up to 57% since 2019, with three to five-year-old Ford Fiestas – the most popular models on its AA Cars website – valued at £9,770, up from £7,448. Audi A3s saw the biggest jump in prices since 2019 (46.09%), followed by Ford Focuses (43.11%), which were the second most popular car on the AA’s website.
Social Care strains as pandemic takes its toll
On Thursday, the government announced an extra £162.5m to boost the adult social care workforce. This is in addition to £5.4bn earmarked for social care over the next three years from the government’s health and social care levy, which already includes £500m to be spent on the workforce. The CQC welcomes the money but has a warning: “It must be used to enable new ways of working that recognise the interdependency of all health and care settings, not just to prop up existing approaches and to plug demand in acute care.”
REGIONAL & LOCAL NEWS:
It’s an overwhelming YES! Stockport BID wins ballot to deliver new £2.4million plan of investment
Stockport’s Business Improvement District (BID) company’s ambition to deliver a second BID and £2.4 million plan of investment has won overwhelming support from town centre businesses. Declared this morning by Deputy Counting Officer Vicki Bates from Stockport Council, Stockport’s BID – Totally Stockport – secured a massive 89.6% yes votes and a huge 97% based on rateable value of votes cast by hereditaments. Following publication of a carefully considered Business Plan outlining Totally Stockport’s strategy, town centre businesses have voted for a second Business Improvement District to run for a new five-year term from 1st April 2022 to 31st March 2027. Since 2017, Stockport’s current BID team have been working on projects that improve the overall visitor experience and generate additional footfall in the town centre, increasing opportunities for all businesses within the BID’s designated area. The current BID term ends on 31st March 2022. During the term of the new BID, Stockport’s BID team will focus on projects and initiatives that will see a rejuvenated town centre better equipped to thrive in a more digitised economy.
Skills for Growth – Digital Academy run free Leadership for Digital Growth course
Manchester Digital and North-West Skills Academy have announced a partnership to offer a fully funded course under the government’s investment into Skills For Growth.
The Course is open to seniors and decision makers in SMEs (Small – Medium Enterprises) looking to upskill and lead Digital Transformation within their business.
Find out more HERE
Business leaders: Transport system holding back Northern economy
Businesses are joining council and LEP bosses across the North of England to push for more reliable transport systems as a way of developing the region’s economy. The call for more reliable transport connections comes in a Transport for the North report which reveals attitudes of Northern business leaders to remote working, decarbonisation and logistics. The study highlights how travel patterns have been significantly altered by the pandemic and the increase in people working from home, but adds that many businesses in the North felt they were held back by congestion on the roads and the unreliability, cost and lack of convenience of rail and bus travel.
Digiknow: It’s Get Online Week in Stockport
Stockport is marking Get Online Week (18th to 24th October) with more than 60 sessions at the One Stockport Hub in Merseyway and other venues across the borough, where people can learn the essential skills needed for today’s digital world. The theme of Get Online Week this year is ‘Get online. Get connected.’
SECTOR SPECIFIC CORONAVIRUS-RELATED NEWS:
BUSINESS:
Making Tax Digital for VAT
Since April 2019, VAT-registered businesses with a turnover above the VAT threshold must keep VAT records digitally and send returns using Making Tax Digital (MTD) compatible software. From April?? ?2022, these requirements will apply to all VAT-registered businesses, including those with a turnover below the VAT threshold
For more information, join our live webinar – during which you can ask questions using the on-screen textbox. This webinar provides an overview of Making Tax Digital, including digital record keeping, compatible software, how to sign up and submitting VAT returns directly from the business. Register here
You can also view our short videos on HMRC’s YouTube channel including:
How to sign up for Making Tax Digital for VAT
Making Tax Digital for VAT – what is compatible software
Keeping VAT records digitally
Workplace testing: terms and conditions
The latest terms and conditions for workplace testing.
COMMUNITY:
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 – updated the general list of providers.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) PCR home test kit instructions
Find out how to do a PCR test for COVID-19 at home and register a test kit so you can get the result.
Coronavirus and the social impacts on Great Britain: 22 October 2021
Indicators from the Opinions and Lifestyle Survey to understand the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on people, households and communities in Great Britain.
EDUCATION:
Coronavirus and higher education students: England, 27 September to 4 October 2021
Experimental statistics from the Student COVID-19 Insights Survey (SCIS) in England. Includes information on the behaviours, plans, opinions and well-being of higher education students in the context of guidance on the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
HEALTH & WELLBEING:
Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines adverse reactions
A weekly report covering adverse reactions to approved COVID-19 vaccines – updated to include reports up to and including 13 October
The Vaccine Taskforce: objectives and membership of steering group
The purpose of the Vaccine Taskforce (VTF) is to drive forward the development and production of a coronavirus vaccine.
Weekly statistics for NHS Test and Trace (England)
Experimental statistics from the NHS Test and Trace service and related documents.
National flu and COVID-19 surveillance reports published
Weekly national influenza and COVID-19 report, monitoring coronavirus (COVID-19) activity, seasonal flu and other seasonal respiratory illnesses.
COVID-19: guidance for health professionals
Information on COVID-19, including guidance on the assessment and management of suspected UK cases – added COVID-19: genomic surveillance of patients treated with neutralising monoclonal antibody or immunosuppressed.
TRANSPORT:
DfT payments to passenger rail operators under emergency agreements and National Rail Contracts
Summary of payments, including management fees, payable by DfT to train operating companies from 1 March 2020 to 24 July 2021 under emergency agreements and National Rail Contracts – added operational support payments to operators for the period 1 April 2021 to 24 July 2021 and management and performance fees data for September 2020 to March 2021.
TRAVEL:
Jet2 2023 holidays on sale 18 months in advance!
Steve Heapy, Jet2.com and Jet2holidays chief executive, said: “This is the earliest we have ever put our Summer Sun programme on sale because we know that customers want something to look forward to more than ever before. “Following the recent good news about the reopening of international travel, we have seen strong demand from customers wanting to get that all-important dose of sunshine booked in, and this Summer 23 programme helps them do exactly that.” Travel to England from another country during coronavirus (COVID-19)
Check what COVID-19 tests you need to take and the quarantine rules for travel to England. People who qualify as fully vaccinated for travel to England can book a lateral flow test for use from 24 October instead of a PCR test.
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 – added a line to the ‘Getting to your managed quarantine hotel’ section stating that all quarantine hotels are located at Heathrow Airport.
Summary of updates to international travel, October 2021
Changes made to international travel rules during October 2021.
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.