UK STATISTICS
Total UK Cases: 6,492,906 positive tests
Latest UK daily figure: 32,253 new cases
Number in UK hospital: 6,441, 26 more than on previous day
New deaths across UK: 49
Total UK deaths: 131,640
England Cases per 100,000: 300
R number in UK: 0.9 to 1.2
Vaccine data:
Total 1st doses given: 47,643,064 – 88% of UK adults
Total 2nd doses: 41,688,636 – 77% of UK adults
Daily 1st doses: 69,270
Daily 2nd doses: 192,060
There have been nearly 6.5 million confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK and more than 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.
More than 89m vaccine doses have been received across the UK and about 88% of people aged 16 and over have now had their first dose of a coronavirus vaccine and nearly 77% have had their second.
Latest Stockport data:
Total Stockport cases: 32,698 to 20 August
Cases in the latest week: 935, down 48 on previous week
Total deaths: 740 to August 6th
Cases per 100,000: 318 per 100,000 week ending 14 August
R number in North West: 0.9 – 1.1
Stockport vaccine data:
1st dose: 85% of adults to 19 August
2nd dose: 76%
The R value and growth rate
The R range for England is 0.9 to 1.2
Slides, datasets and transcripts to accompany coronavirus press conferences
Updated with slides to accompany coronavirus press conferences
UK NEWS UPDATES
Government launches UK-wide antibody surveillance programme
Thousands of adults a day will be given free access to antibody tests through a new national surveillance programme launched by the UK Health Security Agency next week, to help improve our understanding of immunity against COVID-19 from vaccination and infection. For the first time, the programme will offer antibody testing to adults in the UK who test positive. From Tuesday, anyone aged over 18 will be able to opt in to take part when booking a PCR test through NHS Test and Trace. Up to 8,000 people who opt in and then receive a positive PCR result will be sent two finger prick antibody tests to complete at home and send back to a lab for analysis.
Government warns Covid test firms over misleading prices
More than 80 private Covid travel test providers listed on the government’s website will be issued two-strike warnings over misleading prices, Health Secretary Sajid Javid has announced. A further 57 firms will be removed from the website on Monday, because they either no longer exist or do not actually provide the relevant tests. The health secretary said the move was to clamp down on “cowboy behaviour”.
Young people warn of long Covid amid jab drive
Young people have shared stories of the debilitating effects of long Covid as they urge others to get jabbed. A new NHS video features the experiences of three previously healthy people as part of a drive to encourage vaccine uptake. Quincy Dwamena, 31, said he delayed his jab and “ended up being hospitalised and thought I was going to die”. It comes as the government says it has met its target of offering all 16 and 17-year-olds in England a Covid jab.
Young COVID patients share stories to urge others to get jabbed
UK signs deal with Pfizer/BioNTech for 35 million vaccines
The doses will be delivered from the second half of 2022
REGIONAL & LOCAL NEWS:
Weekly update from Stockport’s Director of Public Health
This week the statement changes bought in to the rules around self-isolation of those who have been in contact with positive Covid cases, which came into effect on Monday (16 August), which will mean close contacts who are double vaccinated and those under 18, will no longer have to self-isolate but will be encouraged to undertake PCR testing. The statement also highlights the fantastic double milestone reached in the vaccination programme that more than 85% of adults have had their first dose and more than three-quarters have now been double-vaccinated. We will continue to be asking residents to get a vaccine when called at the weekly pop ups – especially to get two vaccines and to continue lateral flow tests over the summer.
Manchester and Liverpool set to become post-covid hotspots for employment
A top HSBC boss has predicted that Manchester and Liverpool could become employment “hotspots” in our post-pandemic recovery – after the market saw “extremely strong” growth. Ben Andrews, managing director and head of corporate banking north, Scotland and Northern Ireland, has spoken to BusinessLive about the prospects for the two North West cities following the economic devastation caused by Covid – and is adamant that there is “some positive news”. According to research by Centre for Cities, which was commissioned by HSBC UK to understand how local business communities would respond, the Covid pandemic caused unemployment to increase by 1.3m people up to the end of last year. In Manchester and Liverpool, that picture was no different, with unemployment rates around 3% and 7% respectively.
Stockport County choose Covid vaccine as second line of defense
Players and the manager of Stockport County have joined in calls for people in the borough to have their Covid-19 vaccinations after attending a pop-up vaccination clinic. Ahead of the new season, after training the Hatters visited one of the borough’s vaccination pop-up sites at Heaton Mersey Mosque to see how the NHS programme has been progressing. Handling the shots, newly signed goalkeeper, Ethan Ross received his first Pfizer vaccine and manager Simon Rusk had his second. Also showing their support for the programme was goalkeeper Ben Hinchcliffe and centre midfielder Jordan Keane, who have already received both their vaccinations and came to praise the teams administering them, keeping the borough safe.
Stockport’s pop-up vaccination centres move to Tuesday and Wednesday
Walk-in pop-up vaccination clinics will be open in Stockport on Tuesday, 24 August, and Wednesday, 25 August, from 12pm- 4pm. No bookings are necessary. The pop ups will offer first and second Pfizer and Oxford Astra Zeneca vaccinations to eligible adults over 18 and provide Pfizer jabs to our 16 – 17 year olds. Second doses can be given if eight weeks (56 days) have passed since receiving the first dose.
The pop ups will be held at Trinity Methodist Church, Trinity Gardens, 351 Bramhall Lane, SK3 8TP. Parking is limited, so drivers are asked to use the on-site car park at Trinity Church, or to park responsibly in the surrounding residential roads. Alternatively, Davenport station is about a 10-minute walk. Stockport also has community pharmacies offering walk in and bookable appointments. To view the full range of options in Stockport, and how to book, visit the NHS Stockport CCG wesbite’s vaccination page.
SECTOR SPECIFIC CORONAVIRUS-RELATED NEWS:
BUSINESS:
Ultimate products see revenues rise despite covid challenges
Ultimate Products, the consumer products group which sells brands including Russell Hobbs and Beldray, has reported a rise in revenue in its pre-close trading update. In the financial year to the end of 31 July 2021, the Oldham-headquartered group reported unaudited revenues up 17.9% to £136.4m, up from £115.7m in the previous year. The group saw growth across international, supermarkets, online channels and discount retailers – despite “a challenging commercial environment” with significant operational and shipping disruption as a result of COVID-19
Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance for Companies House customers
How we’re maintaining our services for the public and supporting companies during the COVID-19 pandemic – the cut off time for using a same day service to electronically file a change of company name, or incorporate a company (software filing only) has changed from 11am to 3pm.
Download a template if you’re claiming for 16 or more employees through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
Complete a template with the details of the employees you’re claiming for and upload this when you claim (for claims on or after 1 July 2020).
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.
COVID-19 vaccination: guide for adults
Information for eligible adults on COVID-19 vaccination.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) testing: privacy information
Privacy notice for NHS Test and Trace virus testing for all users of the service – updated ‘Antibody testing for coronavirus: privacy information’. If you receive a positive COVID-19 PCR test result, you can choose to take an antibody test. Also updated explanation of antibody testing and laboratory-based tests, data collected through antibody testing, and list of data processors.
Coronavirus (COVID-19): providing unpaid care
Information for people who are caring, unpaid, for friends or family during the coronavirus outbreak – amendments to the guidance on making alternative arrangements to care when the carer or the person they care for has symptoms of COVID-19, a positive test or is a close contact of someone with a positive test result.
Coronavirus: how to stay safe and help prevent the spread
Find out how to stay safe and help prevent the spread of coronavirus.
COVID-19 PCR home test kit instructions
Step-by-step guide available in different formats on how to use and return your PCR home test kit to test yourself for COVID-19 – added ‘How to test yourself for coronavirus (COVID-19) at home (easy read)’.
EDUCATION:
Reported coronavirus (COVID-19) notifications by registered early years and childcare settings
This data is published fortnightly. It gives the number of registered early years and childcare providers reporting one or more confirmed cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) by week.
EVENTS:
Government data shows mass events can take place safely but fans urged to remain cautious in crowds and get vaccinated
Data across all Event Research Programme (ERP) phases show cases observed in and around events were in line with, or below, community prevalence
Information on the Events Research Programme
Information for attendees and those hosting the Event Research Programme (ERP) pilot events – added link to Events Research Programme Phases I, II and III data release.
HEALTH & WELLBEING:
COVID-19 vaccination: blood clotting information for healthcare professionals
Information for healthcare professionals on blood clotting following COVID-19 vaccination.
Coronavirus (COVID-19): antibody testing
Find out what a COVID-19 antibody test can tell you and how testing helps research. Antibody tests check whether a person has had the virus before or been vaccinated – updated information about what antibody testing is, who it’s for, what your results can tell you and what to do after you get your results.
COVID-19 vaccination programme
Documents relating to the new coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination programme – added link to the COVID-19 vaccination and rare side effects.
COVID-19 vaccination: myocarditis and pericarditis information for healthcare professionals
Information for healthcare professionals on myocarditis and pericarditis following COVID-19 vaccination.
NHS COVID Pass
How to get the NHS COVID Pass and demonstrate your coronavirus (COVID-19) status when travelling abroad and domestically at events and venues in England – updated to clarify that if you’ve been vaccinated in Scotland, to obtain your NHS COVID Pass you must be resident in England and registered with a GP in England.
Regulatory approval of Spikevax (formerly COVID-19 Vaccine Moderna)
Information for healthcare professionals and the public about Spikevax
Regulatory approval of Vaxzevria (previously COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca)
Information for healthcare professionals and the public about Vaxzevria (previously COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca) – updated the PIL and Spc to include new warning on Guillaine-Barre Syndrome
Assessment and procurement of coronavirus (COVID-19) tests
How the government assesses offers of COVID-19 tests from developers for procurement and use in the UK – removed ‘Coronavirus test device authorisations operating process for SARS-CoV-2 tests’ as out of date. Up-to-date information is in the document ‘COVID-19 test approval – step 2: process for desktop review’.
COVID-19 vaccination: Guillain-Barré Syndrome information for healthcare professionals
Information for healthcare professionals on Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) following COVID-19 vaccination.
PROPERTY:
Savills completes £94m north of England land sales
Property consultancy Savills has announced that it completed almost £94m worth of land sales across the North of England in the first half of 2021. The 19 sites are spread across Yorkshire, Northumberland and Greater Manchester and have planning permission for 2,713 residential units. They were sold for a total of £93.8m.
Demand at 5-year high thanks to relaxing of covid restrictions
Demand for private rental housing is now at a five year high according to the National Residential Landlords Association. In the association’s survey of private landlords across England and Wales, conducted with research consultancy VA/BDRC, 39 per cent said demand increased in the second quarter of 2021 – an eight per cent hike on the first quarter of the year. Demand is therefore the highest it’s been since the first quarter of 2016. The survey suggests this is due to the relaxation of Covid restrictions and a more buoyant economic outlook.
RETAIL:
New independent retailer bucks trend to open on Deansgate
Independent retailer General Store has opened its newest venue at Deansgate Square as it continues to expand in Manchester city centre. The new General Store retail space will bring the very best of the Store Retail Group’s trademark ‘cornershop’ concept to the square. The 4,500 sq ft unit will also service more than 3,000 residents in the skyscrapers surrounding the new site which has the city’s only riverside square.
TRANSPORT:
DX Group continues UK expansion with launch of three new depots
Logistics specialist DX Group has announced the launch of three new depotd across the UK as part of its ongoing expansion. The three new depots at Dewsbury, Grimsby and Luton, add further capacity to both of DX’s divisions – DX Freight, which specialises in the delivery of irregular dimension and weight items, and DX Express, which offers tracked and express delivery services for documents, pouches and parcels.
TRAVEL:
Test to Release for international travel: minimum standards for testing
Sets out the minimum standards that private sector providers of COVID-19 testing for ‘Test to Release for international travel’ must meet – update on thresholds for testing kits used for international arrivals in response to growing threat of variants of concern. Also includes guidance on minimum standards for providers and their obligations if test kits are not satisfactory after a review of current legislation relating to international travel.
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