27th October: Coronavirus News Updates

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UK HEADLINES:

Post Office to invest £16m in new ATMs as 600 cash machines shut down
The Post Office has announced that it will be investing £16m on maintaining and upgrading its ATMs. The service is set to cut 600 of its cash machines over the next 18 months, meaning that a third of its free to use ATMs will be shut by March 2022. This comes as the Bank of Ireland, which currently operates the machines, pulls out of the business.

BBC: Imperial College research shows antibodies fall over time
Immunity against coronavirus may only last a few months after infection, according to researchers at Imperial College London. They say the number of people testing positive for antibodies – a key part of our immune defences – fell by around a quarter between June and September. The fall in immunity was greatest in those over 65. They’re warning everyone to adhere to government guidance on hygiene, social distancing and so on, even if they’ve already had the virus. It suggests the number of people with antibodies fell by more than a quarter between summer and autumn.

Lower tier local authority watchlist: epidemiological data, 23 October 2020
Weekly report giving epidemiological coronavirus (COVID-19) data for each local authority in England.

Latest UK data:

Positive tests:                        894,690 have tested positive (+ 20,890 new cases)
Loss of life:                           *44,998 across all settings (+102 in last 24 hours)
Hospital admissions:           1,142 new admissions
Cases in Stockport:             1,116 cases 17 Oct to 23 Oct (+335 on previous week)
Cases in Stockport:            380 cases per 100,000 (England area average: 137)
Deaths in Stockport:            378 coronavirus-related registered to 09 October
Total cases in Stockport:     6,183 to 26 October

*Daily reported COVID deaths are measured across the UK as deaths that occurred within 28 days of the first laboratory-confirmed positive COVID test

The R number and growth rate in the UK
The latest reproduction number (R) and growth rate of coronavirus (COVID-19) in the UK. The R number range for the UK is 1.2-1.4 and the growth rate range is +3% to +6% per day as of 23 October 2020.

Full list of local COVID alert levels by area
The areas in England listed as local COVID alert level high and local COVID alert level very high

COVID-19: background information
Information on COVID-19 including epidemiology, virology and clinical features – updated global case numbers.

LOCAL / REGIONAL NEWS & UPDATES:

Decade of exports sees North West firms secure £5.5bn from Japan
North West firms have demonstrated significant appetite to expand into the Japanese market in recent years, with more than £5.5bn of goods exported into the region in the last decade, according to analysis by Deloitte. Research from the business advisory firm, in partnership with MIDAS and GMCA, reveals that between 2010 and 2019, North West firms exported an average of £550m per year to Japan as the region aimed to strengthen trading relationships. In total, four years saw figures in excess of £650m, with 2012 exports the highest during the decade at £795m. As part of this trading relationships have been strengthened across a wide range of sectors. Chemical products accounted for the highest, with the £3.4bn worth of exports during the decade representing 62 per cent of total trade. Behind this, machinery and transport (£1.3bn) and manufacturing (£765m) also saw significant interest.

Manchester-based Revolution Bars Group has launched a company voluntary arrangement (CVA) to reduce its portfolio and rental costs.
It said the CVA will is being sought by one of its subsidiaries, Revolution Bars Ltd (RBL). The move follows the enforced shutdown of bars by the Government in March this year. A review of the RBL portfolio has identified 13 trading sites that are either significantly underperforming due to their location and local trading conditions, significantly over-rented, not expected to generate future profitable returns going forward, or subject to a combination of all three factors. Under the terms of the proposed CVA, RBL expects to exit six bars and obtain materially improved rental terms on seven others.

11 Northern LEPs join forces to launch new employment platform
A new employment platform has been launched to support people in the North who have lost their job as a result of the economic fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic. There has been an estimated decline of 20.7 per cent in GVA in the North between 2019 and Q2 2020. The NP11 – a group of all 11 Northern local enterprise partnerships – has partnered with software specialist PDMS, to launch a pilot innovative online service called SignedUp Skills to help those affected. The pilot will run until the end of the year 2020 and, if successful, could develop into a long-term initiative. Read more at Business Desk

Local COVID alert level: very high
Find out what restrictions are in place if you live in an area where the local COVID alert level is very high.

Statement from Stockport Council
“The Government recently announced further financial support measures to help businesses who are legally required to close due to a nationally imposed lockdown, as well as packages of wider financial support measures for other businesses impacted by the pandemic. We will shortly publish full details of which businesses will be eligible to receive a grant together with information about how you can apply once we have received the appropriate confirmation from Government.”
More information on this will be made available as soon as it is possible to do so. This is the latest information available on the Government website:

Check if you’re eligible for the coronavirus Local Restrictions Support Grant
The Local Restrictions Support Grant (LRSG) supports businesses that have been required to close due to temporary COVID-19 local lockdown restrictions imposed by the government.

By working in collaboration, Stockport can become united and encouraged to build a better future for everyone by supporting the local economy, connecting communities and promoting health & wellbeing. Find out more at www.onestockport.co.uk

BUSINESS & FINANCE:

Job Support Scheme to open on November 1^st
The Job Support Scheme (JSS) will open on 1??? ?November and run for six months, until 30??? ?April 2021. The government has said it will review the terms of the scheme in January 2021. There are two variations to JSS – JSS Open and JSS Closed.
JSS Open will provide support to businesses that are open where employees are working shorter hours due to reduced demand.
JSS Closed will provide support to businesses whose premises are legally required to close as a direct result of coronavirus restrictions set by one of the four governments of the UK.

Job Retention Bonus (JRB)
Employers are able to claim a one-off payment of £1,000 for every eligible employee furloughed and claimed for through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS), kept continuously employed until at least 31??? ?January 2021 and who meets the other eligibility criteria. Claims can be made between 15??? ?February and 31??? ?March. To do this you must have submitted PAYE information for the period up to 5??? ?February 2021 on time.

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme – closes on 31??? ?October
Please note that this scheme closes on 31??? ?October and employers will need to make any final claims on or before 30??? ?November. You will not be able to submit or add to any claims after 30??? ?November.

Help employers apply for a Kickstart Scheme grant (Kickstart gateway)
Information for organisations who want to be a Kickstart gateway and help employers apply for the Kickstart Scheme – added link to new ‘find a Kickstart gateway’ online service.
Apply for a Kickstart Scheme grant: 29 or less job placements

NHS Test and Trace in the workplace
Guidance on NHS Test and Trace for employers, businesses and workers – updated to reflect employers’ legal duties around staff who are self-isolating.

Stockport Business Support coronavirus recovery

As Stockport’s business community prepares for recovery post-coronavirus, a group of business leaders from the town have collaborated with Stockport Council to launch a new website – skbusinessrecovery.co.uk to support businesses through the phases of recovery.

COMMUNITY:

Test and Trace Support Payment scheme: claiming financial support
Who can claim the support and how to apply – added information on notifications through the NHS Test and Trace app and what you need to provide to your local authority when you apply for the Test and Trace Support Payment scheme.

CONSTRUCTION:

Seven towns share £180m of Government’s levelling up Town Fund
Barrow-in-Furness, Blackpool, Darlington, Peterborough, Norwich, Torquay and Warrington are the first of 101 places to be granted a share of the Government’s new £3.6bn Town Fund to regenerate centres. The seven towns and cities will share nearly £180m in the first Town Deal awards to create jobs and drive growth across the country. Forming a cornerstone of this government’s levelling up agenda, these landmark deals will see millions invested in projects across the country. All 101 towns selected to work towards a Town Deal were given a funding allocation with proposals being submitted to the MHCLG. The first cohort of towns submitted proposals in July, before being reviewed by officials and a final decision made by ministers. Further Town Deals are due to be announced in November.

CBRE: Warehouse space rental has reached record levels in the past three months, with online retailers taking the lion’s share.
Warehouse space take-up in Q3 was more than double that in the same period last year, reaching 13.3 million sq ft, breaking the previous record, set in Q2 this year, of 12.8 million sq ft. A total of 45 deals were completed in Q3, compared with 21 in Q3 2019. CBRE said pure online accounted for the largest proportion at a sector level, at 33%, but third party logistics operators, general retailers and food providers also saw a significant rise in activity during the quarter. “The past six months’ take-up exceeds the annual total for eight of the past 10 years,” said CBRE UK industrial & logistics senior director Jonathan Compton.

CREATIVE & DIGITAL:

How creative & digital businesses grow through post-Covid uncertainty
Growth Hub & Business Desk host The Covid-19 crisis has put huge pressure on businesses in all sectors, but the disruption has also accelerated change and created opportunities. Even those that have grown, have often done so reactively.
This webinar on November 4^th at 9.30am by TheBusinessDesk.com and GC Business Growth Hub will look at how digital, creative and tech businesses can start to take control of growth proactively again, even during ongoing uncertainty in the post-Covid economy.

EDUCATION:

Remote education good practice
Good practice to support school leaders in developing their remote education contingency plans – added references to Isaac Physics, who provides free online teaching resources in physics.

Attendance in education and early years settings during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
Attendance in education settings since Monday 23 March and early years settings since Thursday 16 April – added ‘Attendance in education and early years settings during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak: 23 March to 22 October 2020’.

Attendance in education and early years settings during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak: 23 March to 22 October 2020
A summary of attendance in education settings since Monday 23 March and early years settings since Thursday 16 April 2020.

HEALTH, CARE & WELLBEING:

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Infection Survey: characteristics of people testing positive for COVID-19 in England, October 2020
Data about the characteristics of people testing positive for COVID-19 from the COVID-19 Infection Survey. This survey is being delivered in partnership with the University of Oxford, the University of Manchester and Public Health England.

REACT-2: real-time assessment of community transmission – antibody waning
Results of real-time assessment of community transmission – prevalence of coronavirus (COVID-19) antibodies in 2020.

Largest COVID-19 antibody testing programme publishes findings on antibody response over time
Findings from Imperial College London and Ipsos MORI show the number of people with antibodies fell by 26.5% over 3 months.

National flu and COVID-19 surveillance reports
National influenza and COVID-19 report, monitoring COVID-19 activity, seasonal flu and other seasonal respiratory illnesses – added case rates and positivity by age group for those aged 60 and above in figures 4 and 6 tab in week 43 data report.

COVID-19 and influenza point of care testing results: how to report
Notifications of COVID-19 and influenza point of care testing (POCT) results: legal duties for providers of POCT.

COVID-19: background information
Information on COVID-19 including epidemiology, virology and clinical features – updated global case numbers.

PPE portal: how to order COVID-19 personal protective equipment (PPE)
Eligible health and social care providers can order PPE through the portal to meet the increased need that has arisen as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic – updated order limits for domiciliary care providers and residential care homes.

HOSPITALITY:

JUDICIARY:

HMCTS weekly operational summary on courts and tribunals during coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
This page provides a weekly summary of the HM Courts and Tribunals Service operational position during the coronavirus pandemic – updated with translation

LEISURE & SPORT:

Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance on the phased return of sport and recreation
Guidance for the public, providers of outdoor sport facilities, elite athletes, personal trainers and coaches on the phased return of sport and recreation – updated return to recreational team sport framework.

MANUFACTURING:

Aerospace sector sees “worst ever” period with 91.4 per cent decline
A UK trade body has reported that aerospace manufacturers received no new orders for commercial aircraft last month. ADS Group said that only 13 orders were placed worldwide in the third quarter of the year, reflecting the sector’s “worst ever” period. The period saw a decline of 91.4 per cent on the same quarter last year, according to ADS, which represents and supports more than 1,100 UK businesses in aerospace.

PROPERTY:

Covid puts pressure on for more pet-loving rentals
Pressure appears to be building for more pet-friendly lettings properties with two Build To Rent operators promoting animal-friendly tenancies following a surge in demand as more join in home-working.
”One in three enquiries we receive are from pet owners and, certainly over recent months, animals have been lifelines for so many. Owning pets is proven to provide so many benefits to both physical and mental health, and we don’t see why living in rented accommodation should be an obstacle to that” says Harry Downes, Fizzy Living’s managing director.

A new survey reveals the uphill struggle first time buyers appear to be having in securing a mortgage.
A study of 1,000 prospective first time buyers by Aldermore Bank reveals that 35 per cent have been rejected once for a mortgage, and a further 10 per cent have been rejected more than once. The most common reason for rejection is being self-employed or a contract worker, with one in four saying they have chosen to give up their self-employed status to secure a mortgage.

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.

Make your workplace COVID-secure:

You can find recordings of webinars covering other types of workplace here

HMRC:

Coronavirus COVID-19 Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme:
Providing an overview of the scheme, this webinar looks at who can claim, when to start paying SSP, employees you can claim for, making a claim, keeping records, and more. Choose a date and time to view webinar

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.

Twice weekly: EnterprisingYou

Finance support for the self-employed webinars For info about latest webinar date announcements please visit the website https://enterprising-you.co.uk/latest-news/

ACAS

A series of courses to help businesses with transition from lockdown

Useful information and links:

Job Support Scheme expanded to help businesses forced to close
The Government’s Job Support Scheme (JSS) has been expanded to support businesses across the UK required to close their premises due to coronavirus restrictions.

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.

Full list of local COVID alert levels by area
The areas in England listed as local COVID alert level high and local COVID alert level very high.

Local COVID Alert level: Very High (Liverpool City Region)
Guidance on additional restrictions for Liverpool City Region.

Local COVID Alert Level Posters
A series of graphical posters displaying information about the Local COVID Alert Level.

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.

Find someone to apply for a Kickstart Scheme grant on your behalf
Find a Kickstart gateway in England, Scotland or Wales who have expressed interest in helping employers get a Kickstart Scheme grant.

Kickstart Scheme
The Kickstart Scheme provides funding to employers to create job placements for 16 to 24 year olds.

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.

Coronavirus Act report: September 2020
The third two-monthly report on which powers in the Coronavirus Act 2020 are currently active.

Self-Employment Income Support Scheme grant extension
The grant is being extended from 1 November 2020. Find out if you’re eligible and how much you can get.

Hospitality venues in England are now legally required to enforce the rule of 6 or face a fine of up to £4,000.
Designated businesses and organisations, including hospitality, close contact services and leisure venues, will also be legally required to log details of customers, visitors and staff for NHS Test and Trace and required to display official NHS QR code posters under law

NHS Test and Trace service in the workplace
Guidance on the NHS Test and Trace service for employers, businesses and workers updated to reflect the new legal requirements for designated venues to collect contact details and display official NHS QR code posters from 24^th September

Visit the Stockport Council website to report details of any outbreaks online. https://www.stockport.gov.uk/coronavirus-in-stockport/report-a-coronavirus-outbreak

The SMBC website and produce a form for completion online if anyone wants to report an outbreak. The links are now live and are below:
https://www.stockport.gov.uk/coronavirus-in-stockport/report-a-coronavirus-outbreak
https://www.stockport.gov.uk/guidance-for-employees-employers-and-businesses

Kickstart Scheme
The Kickstart Scheme provides funding to employers to create job placements for 16 to 24 year olds.

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.

New 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.

Coronavirus outbreak FAQs: what you can and can’t do
Frequently asked questions on what you can and can’t do during the coronavirus outbreak – guidance updated in line with new regulations coming into force on 4 July

Business Survey:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dcms-coronavirus-impact-business-survey/dcms-business-survey-headline-measures

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.

Applications Now Open for the Local Authority Discretion Fund. Businesses that had been eligible for the Self-Employment Income Support are also now eligible for the LA Discretionary Business Grant.

Apply for the coronavirus Future Fund
The Future Fund will provide UK Government loans to UK-based companies ranging from £125,000 to £5 million, subject to at least equal match funding from private investors.

Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme set to launch
Employers will be able to make claims through the Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme from 26 May.

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

Government – Setting out of Road Map to recovery – 11^th May 2020
Our plan to rebuild: The UK Government’s 60 page COVID-19 recovery strategy
The UK Government’s COVID-19 recovery strategy. The strategy sets out a cautious roadmap to easing existing measures in a safe and measured way, subject to successfully controlling the virus and being able to monitor and react to its spread.Stockport Council has launched a FREE job matching website to help 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

Coronavirus Act 2020: status
A table setting out the status of each measure in the Coronavirus Act 2020.

Government – Financial Support
New 100% government backed loan scheme for small business

Stockport Council – Health & Mental Well-being https://www.stockport.gov.uk/showcase/coronavirus

Government – Financial Support
CBILS – A guide to whether it may be the best options for a business

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.businesssupport.gov.uk/coronavirus-business-support/

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

Bank of England – Financial Support: https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/news/2020/march/the-covid-corporate-financing-facility

Stockport Council Grant scheme:
https://www.stockport.gov.uk/business-rates-support-measures

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

UK Lockdown – Further businesses to close and exceptions: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/874732/230320_-_Revised_guidance_note_-_finalVF

Business Growth Hub:
www.businessgrowthhub.com/coronavirus https://www.businessgrowthhub.com/coronavirus/resources/2020/03/coronavirus-business-support-webinar-series

Food & Drink – advice and guidance:
https://marketingstockport.co.uk/news/food-delivery-and-takeaway-guidance-for-food-businesses-looking-to-diversify/

Health – updates from NHS
https://www.england.nhs.uk/news/

Health– Shielding the most vulnerable
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19

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.

Health – the big white wall
The Big White Wall offers 24/7 anonymous support via a digital emotional wellbeing and mental health service, offering peer support for anyone over the age of 16, support from trained clinicians alongside a range of helpful tools and resources.

Media and Marketing:
Prolific North are publishing daily updates on their blog as to how Covid-19 is impacting on the marketing, media and technology industries

Travel:
https://media.northernrailway.co.uk/news/coronavirus-travel-information

Recruitment: – DWP and Universal Credit http://news.dwp.gov.uk/dwplz/lz.aspx?p1=MQsDU1NjQ5MlM2OTA0OjNCNDJBOEZCRTJDOUJEOTc1ODQ0RTRCRDNDNzk4QUNF-&CC=&p=0

Retail: An update form British Retail Consortium
https://brc.org.uk/news/corporate-affairs/coronavirus-latest-retailer-activity/

Employment: – Stockport Jobs Match

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.

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.