UK STATISTICS
There have been more than 8.7 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. A booster campaign is also underway.
Total UK Cases: 8,773,674 positive tests
Latest UK daily figure: 39,962 new cases
Number in UK hospital: 8,238, 68 more than on previous day
New deaths across UK: 72
Total UK deaths: 139,533
England Cases per 100,000: 484 (rising)
R number in UK: 0.9 to 1.1
Vaccine data:
Total 1st doses given: 49,684,332 – 90% of UK aged 16+
Total 2nd doses: 45,542,207 – 82%
Daily 1st doses: 36,171
Daily 2nd doses: 29,804
Booster: 214,451
Latest Stockport data:
Total Stockport cases: 44,881 to 22 October
Cases in the latest week: 1,634, 73 fewer than previous week
Total deaths: 759 to October 8th (+1)
Cases per 100,000: 555 per 100,000 week ending 18 October (rising)
R number in North West: 0.9 – 1.1
Stockport vaccine data:
1st dose: 82% of over 12s to 20 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:
Chancellor unveils £20bn spending ahead of Wednesday’s Autumn Budget
Among the major spending plans is a £7bn commitment to “level-up” transport in the regions – with significant funds to be given to areas including Greater Manchester – £1bn – the West Midlands, South Yorkshire and the Tees Valley. Other big-ticket items for investment include:
- £5bn for health-related research and development, including towards genome sequencing and tackling health inequalities
- £3bn to drive a “skills revolution”
- A £1.4bn fund to funnel money into key innovative sectors and a new talent network to woo foreign talent into UK industry
- £850m to “breathe life” back into cultural hotspots
- £700m for a new fleet of patrol boats for Britain’s borders
- £700m to improve sports and youth clubs
- £560m to provide personalised maths coaching
- £500m towards support for families and children, including new family hubs
- £435m for crime prevention and the Crown Prosecution Service, part of which aims to improve the response to rape and sexual assault cases
- £5m for cutting-edge treatments for veterans
Chancellor rules out return of furlough and winter lockdown restrictions
Speaking on Sunday morning Mr Sunak said a return of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme was “not on the cards”, adding the vaccine rollout was the “best line of defence against having to move to put in place any restrictions”. He told BBC One’s The Andrew Marr Show: “That’s not on the cards because we don’t envisage having to impose significant economic restrictions in the way that we had to over the last year, and the reason for that is, although we’ve always said the winter was going to be challenging, the big change is the vaccine rollout which is our first line of defence and the best way to protect us through the winter is to get the booster campaign, making sure that that’s firing on all cylinders, everyone gets their booster jab when they’re asked.”
BBC: NHS in England to receive £5.9bn to cut waiting lists
The money will be used to help clear the record backlog of people waiting for tests and scans, which has been worsened by the pandemic, and also to buy equipment and improve IT. Chancellor Rishi Sunak called the announcement “game-changing”.
Health bodies welcomed the latest pledge but said it would not solve the problem of staff shortages. Sajid Javid, the health secretary, said the funding was “new money” and that Mr Sunak would set out exactly where it was coming from during Wednesday’s Budget and Spending Review.
Prime Minister issues vaccine call to arms ahead of winter
PM Boris Johnson urges everyone over 50 to get their booster jabs when they get the call. Over four million booster doses already administered. The NHS will contact you to offer you a booster vaccine if you are eligible and anyone who receives an invite should book online or by calling 119. Young people aged 12-15 are now able to book their jabs through the National Booking Service, with appointments available at 90 vaccine centres across the country from next week. The first phase of the vaccination programme has already saved around 130,000 lives, with almost 95 million doses delivered across the UK. The winter months will lead to the increased transmission of viruses. Recent studies suggest protection against death falls from 95% to 80% for AstraZeneca after six months, and from 99% to 90% for Pfizer. The booster programme is designed to top up this waning immunity for those most at risk over the winter months. A 15% drop in efficacy could lead to many more avoidable deaths and cases of severe illness from Covid. Everyone aged over 50 or who is at high risk from Covid will be invited for their booster jab six months after their second dose. The National Booking System is now open for 12-15s, with millions of letters to be sent to parents and guardians of children aged 12 – 15 over the coming weeks inviting them to book the vaccine online or by calling 119. The winter is a challenging time for the NHS and, coupled with waning vaccine immunity after six months, it is vital that everyone eligible for a vaccine comes forward to receive their dose. Vaccines save lives and is our best defence against Covid.
REGIONAL & LOCAL NEWS:
Government funds for Greater Manchester Details to improve transport networks
Details revealed so far show that Greater Manchester will receive a £1.07bn slice of the funding for next generation Metrolink tram-train vehicles, and new bus corridors at Bury and Ashton-under-Lyne. Greater Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham, welcomed the Chancellor’s funding pledge, saying the cash was “an important first step towards a London style public transport system for Greater Manchester”. But he added: “As welcome as it is, infrastructure investment alone will not make levelling up feel real to the people of Greater Manchester. That will only happen when the frequency and coverage of bus services are increased and fares are lowered to London levels.”
Stockport Director of Public Heath’s message: Stay Safe this half-term
Coronavirus case rates are still high and are currently at *539.5 per 100,000 or 266.1 per day. You can see the latest published data online.
* the latest figures for Stockport validated on 21.10.21
You can take a look at the latest statement from Director of Public Health, Jen Connolly, here. This week is half term and with that may come more mixing, with wider family and friends. The statement focuses this week on the ways people can help stem the transmission of coronavirus and avoid other seasonal illnesses.
Generally, on our social channels we will continue to be sharing the Covid’s still here messaging, asking residents to get a vaccine when called – especially to get two vaccines, to continue lateral flow tests along with the hands, face, space and ventilation messages. From next week, Stockport will be launching the partner ‘Stockport safe and Well for Winter’ campaign and lots of this messaging will be tied into this campaign.
COVID-19 vaccination sessions for 12-15 year olds today and Wednesday.
- Drop-in sessions for 12-15 year olds; no need for appointment
- Trinity Methodist Church (Trinity Gardens off Bramhall Moor Lane, SK3 8TL)
- Monday 25th October (today) and Wednesday, 27th October; 8:30am – 3:30pm
- 12-15 year olds who have tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 28 days should not attend.
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
SECTOR SPECIFIC CORONAVIRUS-RELATED NEWS:
BUSINESS:
Companies report strongest marketing growth in four years
UK marketing budgets have increased at the strongest rate since 2017, according to the latest IPA Bellwether report. According to its survey, +12.8% of firms registered a growth in marketing budgets for Q3 2021. That compares to +6% in the previous quarter. It’s the first time in 3 years that successive
COMMUNITY:
How to do a coronavirus (COVID-19) rapid lateral flow test at home
Find out how to do a rapid lateral flow test for COVID-19 and report the results. Rapid tests are only for people who do not have symptoms of COVID-19 – added information about ordering a rapid lateral flow test and how to do an MP Biomedicals rapid nose-only test. Added Dari and Pashto translated guides.
COVID-19 rapid lateral flow test kit instructions: MP Biomedicals
How to do an MP Biomedicals rapid nose-only test for COVID-19 and report the results. This test is only for people who do not have symptoms of COVID-19.
Finding and choosing a private coronavirus (COVID-19) test provider
Lists of and information about private test providers, to help you get the private COVID-19 tests you need – replaced the HTML attachment ‘Private providers of COVID-19 testing: what you need to know’ with a new HTML attachment: ‘Finding and choosing a private coronavirus (COVID-19) test provider’ (for consumers). Added a link to the new GOV.?UK guidance ‘How to become a private provider of COVID-19 testing’ (for providers).
CONSTRUCTION:
New home starts slump 27% amid labour and material crisis
Fresh figures from the National House Building Council show that new homes registrations slumped 27% in the third quarter to 33,780 albeit from a 14-year record high of 46,440 in the second quarter. The fall was also partly attributed to housing associations prioritising remedial works like fire safety measures ahead of building affordable rented homes. New home registration returns also reveal a shift away from apartments living back to houses, suggesting a post Covid focus on houses ahead of apartments.
EDUCATION:
Coronavirus (COVID-19): financial support for education, early years and children’s social care
Funding and financial support available for education, childcare and children’s social care organisations – updated this guidance to reflect the withdrawal of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) and the Self Employment Income Support Scheme on 30 September 2021.
HEALTH & WELLBEING:
COVID-19 rapid lateral flow test kit instructions: Orient Gene
How to do an Orient Gene rapid nose-only test for coronavirus (COVID-19) and report the results. This test is only for people who do not have symptoms of COVID-19 – updated guides and translations. Added Dari and Pashto translated guides. Added information on ordering a rapid lateral flow test.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination and self-reported long COVID in the UK: 25 October 2021
Estimates of the association between coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination and self-reported long COVID in people infected prior to vaccination, using data from the UK Coronavirus Infection Survey.
MINISTRY of DEFENCE:
COVID Support Force: the MOD’s continued contribution to the coronavirus response
Military personnel are supporting public services across the UK to assist with the response to COVID-19. This page has the latest information on the MOD’s activities – updated: COVID Support Force, the MOD’s continued contribution to the coronavirus response page as at 22 October 2021.
TRANSPORT:
Haulier advice site locations
Find sites where HGV and coach drivers can get free COVID-19 tests and check their documents to transport goods to the EU – normal service resumed at Essex Arena and Thurrock Services.
TRAVEL:
Move to lateral flow tests for travel begins
Fully vaccinated passengers and most under 18s arriving from non-red-list countries can use a lateral flow test on or before day 2 of their arrival in England
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 – clarified the guidance in light of day 2 lateral flow tests for international arrivals.
Day 2 and day 8 PCR testing for international arrivals: minimum standards for providers
Sets out the minimum standards that private sector providers must meet for the day 2 and day 8 PCR COVID-19 tests for people arriving in England – clarified the guidance in the light of day 2 lateral flow tests for international arrivals.
Jersey is to ease its Covid-19 entry rules from early next month, as part of its Safer Travel Policy
The Channel island’s government said travellers who meet any of its three Covid Status Certification criteria will no longer need to take a PCR test or self-isolate from 2 November. The three criteria apply to those who are fully vaccinated against Covid; travellers who can demonstrate they have recovered from a Covid infection within the past 90 days; and those who have taken a pre-departure PCR test. Travellers who do not meet these criteria will still have to take a PCR test on arrival in Jersey and isolate until they receive a negative test result.
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.
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