UK STATISTICS
Total UK Cases: 6,555,200 positive tests
Latest UK daily figure: 30,838 new cases
Number in UK hospital: 6,934, 251 more than on previous day
New deaths across UK: 174
Total UK deaths: 131,854
England Cases per 100,000: 311
R number in UK: 0.9 to 1.2
Vaccine data:
Total 1st doses given: 47,737,142 – 88% of UK adults
Total 2nd doses: 41,810,753 – 77% of UK adults
Daily 1st doses: 46,410
Daily 2nd doses: 131,283
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 89 million 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: 33,271 to 24 August
Cases in the latest week: 962, down 12 on previous week
Total deaths: 740 to August 6th
Cases per 100,000: 327 per 100,000 week ending 20 August
R number in North West: 0.9 – 1.1
Stockport vaccine data:
1st dose: 85% of adults to 23 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
Covid infection protection waning for double-jabbed
Researchers say they are seeing some waning of protection against Covid infections in double-jabbed people. The real-world study includes data on positive Covid PCR test results between May and July 2021 among more than a million people who had received two doses of Pfizer or AstraZeneca vaccine. Protection after two shots of Pfizer decreased from 88% at one month to 74% at five to six months.
For AstraZeneca, the fall was from 77% to 67% at four to five months.
Waning protection is to be expected, say experts. Although some breakthrough infections may be happening, vaccines are still doing a very good job at protecting people against severe Covid illness and deaths.
REGIONAL & LOCAL NEWS:
Applications open for Queen’s Award for Enterprise
Innovative and exciting businesses are being invited to apply to be awarded a Queen’s Award for Enterprise. Businesses of all sizes and sectors are being invited for the opportunity to gain global recognition for their success from the scheme, led by the Department of Business, Energy, Innovation and Skills (BEIS).
Organisations can apply across four categories: International Trade, Innovation, Sustainable Development and Promoting Opportunity (through social mobility). Each Award category has its own additional eligibility criteria. A full list of the eligibility criteria can be found here.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’.
Living longer: impact of working from home on older workers
Explores the implications of the pandemic driven change in working arrangements on the timing of older workers’ exit from the labour market.
CARE:
COVID-19: supporting adults with learning disabilities and autistic adults
Guidance for care staff who are supporting adults with learning disabilities and autistic adults during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance for people receiving direct payments
Advice for people who buy care and support through a direct payment, as well as local authorities, clinical commissioning groups and those who provide care and support – updated to include guidance on self-isolation that came into effect on 16 August.
COMMUNITY:
NHS COVID-19 app: privacy information
Privacy notice and data protection impact assessment for the NHS COVID-19 mobile app.
COVID-19 vaccination: resources for children and young people
Information for eligible children and young people on COVID-19 vaccination – added updated COVID-19 vaccination for at-risk children and young people aged 12 to 15 years (simple text).
CONSTRUCTION:
Driver shortages force merchantrs to collect from suppliers
Haulage and the lack of availability of drivers is now a serious concern with regional distribution being hit. Firms are now finding challenges arranging deliveries to Scotland and the South-West of England. A report from a joint working group between suppliers and distributors warned because the problem was not limited to construction, and with similar haulage issues affecting a wider distribution network there was no chance of a short-term fix.
EDUCATION:
Alternative provision: year 11 transition funding
Sets out the financial support available to alternative provision (AP) schools and colleges to support current year 11 students into post-16 education.
HEALTH & WELLBEING:
New study to test third COVID-19 vaccine for people with weakened immune systems
A new clinical trial will investigate whether a third dose of vaccine for people with weakened immune systems gives a stronger immune response than two doses.
PHE monitoring of the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination
Data on the real-world efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccines – added link to Different dosing schedules and vaccine effectiveness study.
PROPERTY:
Regional cities surviving Covid and Brexit best, says investment firm
Recovery in the UK is being channeled towards regional cities, says a leading investment expert. Martha Peyton, managing director and head of global applied research at Aegon Asset Management, says the long-term structural trends of demographic change and Brexit are having a transformational effect on economic growth in cities across the UK. “Initially, the recovery should revive activity and jobs in the sectors that were most adversely affected by the virus and the shutdowns that it necessitated. These sectors include bars and restaurants, entertainment venues, hotels, travel-related activities, and discretionary retail … read on
RETAIL:
Boots launches Deliveroo pilot to deliver painkillers, make-up and snacks
Boots has become the latest high street brand to link up with delivery app Deliveroo to help customers who may have over-indulged the night before. The delivery company, used to transport fast food to customers through its fleet of thousands of cyle and moped couriers, said customers would be able to order 400 health and beauty products under a pilot programme. The 14-store pilot launches in cities across the country from Monday, including Newcastle, Liverpool, Edinburgh and Nottingham initially, with plans to roll out in other areas if successful.
Permanent shift to online retail supports 39% revenue boost for logistics firm
A national logistics specialist has seen double digit revenue growth thanks to an increased demand for deliveries from online retail. Clipper Logistics has reported a 39.1% revenue increase for the 12 months ending April 30 2021. The firm, which offers logistics and e-fulfillment solutions across the UK, saw “significant” organic growth in the period driven by high e-fulfilment volumes. The group saw volume growth and extension of services on a range of existing contracts, working with brands such as ASOS, Farfetch, John Lewis, Westwing and Wilko.
Steve Parkin, executive chairman of Clipper commented: “I am pleased to report a very strong set of results, which in a very fluid environment demonstrates the ability and agility of the group and the robustness of our business model to capitalise upon opportunities and deliver growth. We have grown revenue by £195.5m to £696.2m and we have also grown Underlying EBIT by a much larger 52.4 per cent to £31.4m.”
TRANSPORT:
Haulier coronavirus testing
To monitor the number of tests delivered and the positivity rate of the tests – latest data table added.
Transport use during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic
To monitor the use of the transport system during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. DfT provides statistics on transport use by mode – latest data table added.
TRAVEL:
CMA Rapid Review of PCR testing for travel
Information about the CMA’s review of the PCR Testing Market.
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