UK STATISTICS
Total UK Cases: 6,524,581 positive tests
Latest UK daily figure: 31,914 new cases
Number in UK hospital: 6,441, 26 more than on previous day
New deaths across UK: 40
Total UK deaths: 131,680
England Cases per 100,000: 309
R number in UK: 0.9 to 1.2
Vaccine data:
Total 1st doses given: 47,690,74 – 88% of UK adults
Total 2nd doses: 41,810,753 – 77% of UK adults
Daily 1st doses: 40,345
Daily 2nd doses: 116,352
There have been more than 6.5 million confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK and nearly 132,000 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: 33,132 to 23 August
Cases in the latest week: 967, down 3 on previous week
Total deaths: 740 to August 6th
Cases per 100,000: 329 per 100,000 week ending 19 August
R number in North West: 0.9 – 1.1
Stockport vaccine data:
1st dose: 85% of adults to 22 August
2nd dose: 77%
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
New laws come into force in Scotland to protect retail workers
Retail leaders have called on the UK Government to follow Holyrood in extending new protections for retail workers. From today, retail workers in Scotland will be better protected as the new Protection of Workers Act comes into force. The law, which was passed unanimously in the Scottish Parliament, will make assaulting or abusing retail staff a standalone offence, with tougher sentences for perpetrators.
4,700 Covid cases could be connected to Newquay festival
Cornwall Council said 4,700 cases may be linked to the Boardmasters event between 11 and 15 August. About 50,000 people attended the festival in and around Newquay, which now has the three neighbourhoods with the highest infection rates in England. Cornwall’s public health team said: “We won’t know the complete picture for another few days.” About 800 of those positive cases are people who live in Cornwall.
£4 million fund launched to support community-led housing
The government has launched a new grant scheme, totalling £4 million, that will support community-led construction of affordable housing.
The programme allows community groups to meet costs incurred on developing housing for their local area, such as legal and administrative costs, design work and planning applications. The grant scheme will help to support projects that deliver locally affordable new housing which remains under community control through land trusts or co-operatives.
REGIONAL & LOCAL NEWS:
Stockport Health and Care awards to recognise pandemic heroes
Nominations have opened for the Stockport Health and Care Awards, a new award organised to honour the work of healthcare workers and volunteers throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. Organised by Stockport Council, Stockport Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and Stockport NHS Foundation Trust, the awards recognise the contribution of anyone who has worked, or volunteered, for a Stockport health and care organisation during the pandemic. Throughout the pandemic, staff and volunteers across Stockport have come together to go above and beyond, both at work and in the community, demonstrating a commitment to the ethos of One Stockport. The founding organisations are now calling on members of the public to nominate health and care workers and volunteers in Stockport for one of the awards’ 10 categories
Regional leaders make final call for feedback on decarbonisation strategy
Northern residents have two weeks remaining to share their feedback on Transport for the North’s (TfN) strategy for achieving decarbonisation of the region’s road and rail network by 2045. TfN set out its draft Decarbonisation Strategy earlier this summer, outlining how the North of England can achieve a target of near-zero CO2 emissions by 2045, five years ahead of the national target. So far, thousands of people from across the region have already engaged with the consultation, but TfN and local leaders are calling on those who have yet to respond to share their views.
Jobs boost as Northwest recruitment company wins £150m Network Rail contract
A Manchester-based staffing and recruiting firm has been awarded a £150m contract to provide Network Rail labour covering a range of strategic and operational roles over the next five years. Vital Human Resources, part of the Morson Group, has been awarded the huge contract that will run until 2026, with a possible extension until 2029. The firm said it will supply 100% of frontline labour for the East Coast Mainline, North East, East Midlands and Wales.
Stockport’s pop-up vaccination centres move to Tuesday and Wednesday
Walk-in pop-up vaccination clinics will be open in Stockport today, 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.
SECTOR SPECIFIC CORONAVIRUS-RELATED NEWS:
BUSINESS:
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 – added updated version of the terms and conditions, effective from 23 August 2021. This version includes a new annex ‘Annex 5: Proof of concept’.
If you move goods between the UK and countries in the EU, you need to follow new customs and tax rules.
HMRC can help you, as we understand how challenging it can be for many businesses. If you have a specific question about importing, exporting or customs reliefs you should call our Customs and International Trade helpline on 0300?? ?322?? ?9434. The helpline is open?? ?from 8am?? ?to?? ?10pm?? ?Monday?? ?to?? ?Friday and?? ?from 8am?? ?to?? ?4pm at?? ?week??ends. You can also send us your questions or webchat.
Other support available includes:
Our HMRC’s YouTube channel where you can watch videos to familiarise yourself with the new customs processes and what you need to do before you trade goods with the EU.
If you buy goods from the EU, or send or sell goods to the EU for your business, our Rules of Origin recorded webinar will help you understand the process and what you need to do.
HMRC live webinars explain existing guidance and give you the opportunity to ask general questions about the content. You can also see responses to other peoples’ questions and the guidance we signpost to for extra help and support. We’re unable to answer questions specific to the items you import or export on the webinars.
Importing – steps you need to take before making your supplementary declaration: advice on what you need to do to be able to make a supplementary declaration and how intermediaries can help.
Customs Import Declarations: an overview: of the whole declarations process.
Exporting: what you need to do to keep your goods moving: covering zero-rated VAT, customs declarations, using an intermediary as well as licences, certificates, and authorisations.
Trader responsibilities when using an intermediary: explaining your responsibilities if using an intermediary to complete import or export declarations.
There are also webinars and videos from other government departments.
There’s also a trader checklist, updated guides and customer forums.
TheTrader Support Service is also available if you’re moving goods between GB and Northern Ireland and use their suite of educational products, including online training modules and webinars for support with the Northern Ireland Protocol.
Why not sign up to our weekly email updates on news and information about importing and exporting with the EU, providing hints and tips for businesses like yours, getting used to the new rules for importing and exporting?
Protect yourself from scams: Stay vigilant about scams, which may mimic government messages as a way of appearing authentic. Search ‘scams’ on GOV??????.UK for information on how to recognise genuine HMRC contact. You can also forward suspicious emails claiming to be from HMRC to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk and texts to 60599. Access the National Cyber Security Centre’s new guide on how to stay secure online and protect yourself or your business against cyber crime by searching ‘Cyber Aware’ on GOV????.UK.
CARE:
Arrangements for visiting out of the care home
Sets out how care homes can support residents on visits outside of the care home – removed reference to the guidance on the MCA and the application of Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) during the COVID-19 pandemic.
COMMUNITY:
Driving test centre waiting rooms during coronavirus (COVID-19)
Check which driving test centre waiting rooms are open and find out what the rules are for using them because of coronavirus (COVID-19) – updated the list of driving test centres to show only those where the waiting room is currently closed. Updated the rules for using the waiting rooms following changes to public guidance.
DVLA Coronavirus (COVID-19) update
Find out the date of applications we are processing and how to access our online services
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
CONSTRUCTION:
Cost of skilled labour jumps 3.6% in one month!
The cost of skilled labour on site increased by 3.6% last month as inflationary pressures cranked-up in the construction supply chain. New payroll data from Hudson Contract show average weekly earnings for self-employed tradespeople rose to £904 during July, handing them an extra £124 over the month. In the North West, July average weekly earnings were £848, a rise of 3.5%and a year-on-year change of 2.8%
Main contract awards slip but rise significantly on 2019 and 2020 figures
The value of main contracts awarded slipped 1% in the three months to July against the previous three months but were 82% up on a year ago and 43% above the same period in 2019. Read the full story to see how the sectors you work in are performing compared to the previous three-month period, 2020, and 2019.
CREATIVE:
National funding received by the North’s creative industries a ‘good start, but not enough’
The national funding received by the North’s creative industries has been a “good start, but it is not enough”, according to a new report by The Growth Company.
The organisation has published its first report examining the future of the creative economy in the North of England, with a focus on Greater Manchester. While the report praises the resilience and innovation of the sector throughout the pandemic, it highlights the challenges ahead – and what a lack of investment in the creative industries would mean for Greater Manchester’s creative sector SMEs and wider business ecosystem.
EDUCATION:
Data on COVID-19 visits: social care providers
Data about Ofsted’s assurance visits to social care providers during our phased return to inspection – new transparency data uploaded for the period 1 September 2020 to 31 July 2021.
HEALTH & WELLBEING:
Testing for coronavirus (COVID-19) before hospital
Sets out how and when to use a PCR home test kit to test for COVID-19 before a hospital procedure – updated ‘Testing for COVID-19 before a hospital procedure’ to replace 119 phone number with 0800 0511 811.
HOSPITALITY:
Stockport’s hospitality sector recognised in Manchester Food & Drink Awards
Stockport’s growing reputation for great food and drink has been recognised with a number of the borough’s establishments shortlisted in this year’s Manchester Food and Drink Festival Awards. In the town centre, restaurant Where The Light Gets In (pictured), has been shortlisted for the Best Restaurant award, with chef-patron Sam Buckley also in the running for the Chef of the Year gong. There were also a number of nominations for Heaton Moor’s food and drink offering. The Moor restaurant has been nominated for Newcomer of the Year; Bernie’s Grocery Store is shortlisted for Food and Drink Retailer of the Year. Both Heaton Moor and Stockport town centre were also acknowledged for the breadth of their food and drink offerings, with the two areas competing with the likes of Altrincham, Prestwich and Ramsbottom for the title of Foodie Neighbourhood of the Year.
MANUFACTURING:
Hotter Shoes surprised at decline of retail as sales surge
Hotter shoes said it is “surprised” about the recent decline in fashion retail sales after announcing a bumper period for the expanding firm. The Skelmersdale-based brand, whose parent company is due to float on the London Stock Exchange’s AIM market later this year, has said its sales rose despite an overall decline in UK retail and the weakest performance since shops reopened in April, according to official figures. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said retail sales volumes dropped by 2.5% between June and July 2021.
PROPERTY:
Proposals to resuscitate the self-build housing sector welcomed by the government.
Conservative MP Richard Bacon has published an independent report suggesting the self-build sector could deliver 30,000 to 40,000 more homes every year; it recommends a major scaling up of self-built homes to boost the overall housing supply. This will – in theory – see homes that can be built in weeks that are better designed, built to the highest environmental standards and with cheaper household bills.
TRAVEL:
Day 2 and day 8 testing for international arrivals: minimum standards for providers
Sets out the minimum standards that private sector providers must meet for the COVID-19 tests for people arriving in England – 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 
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Government sets out ‘Living with COVID’ next steps from 1st April