UK STATISTICS
There have been almost 8.9 million confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK and over 140,000 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: 8,897,149 positive tests
Latest UK daily figure: 43,941 new cases
Number in UK hospital: 8,801, 94 more than on previous day
New deaths across UK: 207
Total UK deaths: 140,041
England Cases per 100,000: 503 (rising)
R number in UK: 1.0 to 1.2
Vaccine data:
Total 1st doses given: 49,794,120 – 86% of UK aged 12+
Total 2nd doses: 45,605,922 – 79%
Daily 1st doses: 41,083
Daily 2nd doses: 213,031
Daily Booster doses: 264,468 (6,706,468 total booster doses)
Latest Stockport data:
Total Stockport cases: 45,644 to 26 October
Cases in the latest week: 1,560, 133 fewer than previous week
Total deaths: 760 to October 15th (+1)
Cases per 100,000: 530 per 100,000 week ending 22 October
Stockport vaccine data:
1st dose: 82% of over 12s to 24 October
2nd dose: 76%
The R value and growth rate
The R range for England is 1.0 to 1.2 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:
BBC: Impact of Brexit on economy worse than Covid
The impact of Brexit on the UK economy will be worse in the long run compared to the coronavirus pandemic, the chairman of the Office for Budget Responsibility has said. Richard Hughes said leaving the EU would reduce the UK’s potential GDP by about 4% in the long term. He said forecasts showed the pandemic would reduce GDP “by a further 2%”. “In the long term it is the case that Brexit has a bigger impact than the pandemic”, he told the BBC. His comments come after the OBR said the cost of living could rise at its fastest rate for 30 years, with suggestions inflation could hit almost 5%. Speaking after Wednesday’s Budget, Mr Hughes said recent data showed the impact of Brexit was “broadly consistent” with the OBR’s assumption that the leaving the EU would “reduce our long run GDP by around 4%”.
50% Business rates discount in retail, leisure and hospitality sectors
Chancellor Rishi Sunak delivered a post-Brexit, post-pandemic Budget that sought to lay the platform for the rest of the Parliament but stopped short of many of the decisions that will be required in the years ahead. Sunak moved into 11 Downing Street just weeks before the first lockdown came into force 19 months ago. This was his first Budget speech with the opportunity to set out a longer-term vision and he looked forward to “an economy fit for a new age of optimism”. Sunak revealed changes to business rates which he said totalled a £7bn reduction for businesses. He cancelled next year’s planned increase in the multiplier and introduced a new 50% business rates discount for businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors. He delivered a 65-minute Budget speech in which he said “Government should have limits” as he set the platform for future Budgets.
REGIONAL & LOCAL NEWS:
Stockport Local Fund rebrands to celebrate Stockport’s united community
The Stockport Local Fund, which has supported over 700 community initiatives across the borough since its launch, is changing its name to the One Stockport Local Fund. One Stockport was born out of the Covid-19 pandemic to celebrate and promote how communities have worked together and looked out for each other.
The One Stockport Local Fund is widening its appeal to become more inclusive.
A new maximum of £30,000 has been made available for organisations who want to work in partnership with local services and who have a proven track record of working with communities.
Greater Manchester buses’ £1.50 ‘hopper fares’, 70-minute routes and rethink on evening and weekend services
The mayor and council leaders have submitted a £1bn bid to government for cheaper fares, ten-minute services and fast ‘super bus’ routes. Now, after the mayor rubber stamped plans to bring buses back into public control, Greater Manchester has submitted its initial five-year vision for that transformation to ministers. It will be discussed by leaders at their next meeting on Friday morning. From £1.50 ‘hopper fares’ to 70 new ten-minute-service routes, more evening and Sunday services and rebuilt transport interchanges, we have broken down how the new network would shape up.
The government has announced funding to develop proposals to reinstate a passenger rail line between Ashton-under-Lyne and Stockport, a long-standing campaign locally, including by Denton and Reddish MP Andrew Gwynne. This would see up to £50,000 distributed to develop early-stage proposals for an orbital rail link between Ashton in Tameside and Stockport. Leigh Spinners Mill has been allocated £250,000 from the Community Ownership Fund, a pot set up to protect important community assets. The Wharf Community Hub in Marple has also been granted £200,000 under the scheme. Chancellor Rishi Sunak also confirmed that the M60’s infamous Simister Island junction is in line for improvements – and part of a £24b investment will fund the much-needed work. Read on: funds awarded across GM
North-west business leaders react to Sunak budget
Twelve North West projects will benefit from £232m from the first wave of the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund, while a temporary business rates discount for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses worth almost £1.7bn was also confirmed.
In relation to “levelling up” Sunak said “for too long, far too long, the location of your birth has determined too much of your future”, adding that the “awesome power of opportunity shouldn’t be available only to a wealthy few…but be the birth right of every child in an independent and prosperous United Kingdom.” Read on
Chancellor pledges £660m for next phase of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund
- The Chancellor has confirmed additional funding for Northern businesses in today’s Spending Review, marking a new generation for NPIF
- The new £660m fund is announced as NPIF approaches the £300m mark
- The next generation of NPIF will be focused on supporting businesses in every corner of the North
Chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced £660m of government funding for the second Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund, to be delivered by the British Business Bank in today’s Spending Review. The Chancellor’s announcement builds on the success of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund which has helped address market gaps and regional imbalances in access to finance and which will continue to invest until December 2023. A collaborative approach will now begin with key regional stakeholders across the North and more information will be posted in due course. The news comes as the original NPIF approaches its £300m milestone, having directly invested over £291m into 937 Northern SMEs in deals that have attracted an additional £377m of private sector co-investment.
Businesses warned not to fall foul of new cosmetic procedure rules for under 18s
Stockport Council’s Trading Standards team is warning beauty-sectors businesses not to fall foul of new legislation over cosmetic procedures for under-18s.
From 1st October 2021, it is now a criminal offence in England to administer Botox of filler injections to anyone under the age of 18 for cosmetic purposes, even if they have consent from a parent or guardian. The new rules aim to safeguard children from the potential health risks of Botulinum toxin (Botox) and cosmetic fillers, defined as any substance inserted into the skin with a view to modify a person’s appearance and is not limited to conventional dermal fillers such as hyaluronic acid.
Stockport NHS Foundation Trust asks visitors to help stop spread of Covid
Stockport NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Stepping Hill Hospital, is reminding inpatient visitors to keep to the rules to help stop the spread of COVID-19 in the area. In late October, Stockport had the second highest rate of coronavirus infections in the Greater Manchester area. Visiting for relatives of inpatients has been allowed once more at the hospital since July, but some restrictions are still in place to help stop the spread of the infection.
SECTOR SPECIFIC CORONAVIRUS-RELATED NEWS:
BUSINESS:
Recovery Loan Scheme
The Recovery Loan Scheme supports access to finance for UK businesses as they grow and recover from the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Joint statement by the Financial Conduct Authority, Prudential Regulation Authority, The Pensions Regulator and the Financial Reporting Council on the publication of Climate Change Adaptation Reports
Bank of England: As UK financial regulators, we are focused on making sure that the risks from climate change and the opportunities from the transition to a net-zero economy are being identified and proactively managed across the financial sector. Doing so creates opportunities for UK companies and consumers, as well as helping address climate change. We welcome the Government’s invitation under the Climate Change Act 2008 to publish Climate Change Adaptation Reports. Our reports set out how climate change affects our respective responsibilities and the actions we, and the financial sector, are taking in response to it.
Stockport to host Care & Support Workers in-person Jobs Fair
To help showcase the opportunities in the care sector locally, Stockport Jobs Match has organised an in-person Jobs Fair on Tuesday 2nd November from 1pm to 4pm at Cornerstone, Stockport Homes, 2 Edward Street, Stockport, SK1 3NQ. The event is free to attend, with tickets available from the Stockport Jobs Match website.
CARE:
Throat and nose test (Innova 25) for care home staff: COVID-19 rapid test kit instructions
Step-by-step guide for COVID-19 self-testing for adult health and social care staff. Rapid tests are only for people who do not have symptoms of COVID-19.
COMMUNITY:
NHS COVID-19 app: privacy information
Privacy notice and data protection impact assessment for the NHS COVID-19 mobile app – added release 4.19 of ‘NHS COVID-19 app: data protection impact assessment’.
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 – updated the general list of providers.
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.
CONSTRUCTION:
Contractors primed for fresh wave of price increases
They also warn that while demand for construction products has eased off from the peak seen in the spring, it will be deep into next year before present logistics issues start to be resolved. Road haulage specialists have warned not to expect any improvement in the shortage of HGV drivers until the first quarter of 2022 at the earliest. The warning of continuing supply challenges into next year came from the co-chairs of the Construction Leadership Council’s Product Availability working group.
Strong third quarter at Travis Perkins
Sales have grown by more than ten per cent at Travis Perkins during its third quarter, with the business expecting profits to be ahead of market expectations.
The Northampton-headquartered company has reported like-for-like sales growth of 13.1 per cent. Additionally, the merchanting business achieved like-for-like sales growth of 15.3 per cent, while Toolstation grew by 1.4 per cent. The board now expects that adjusted operating profit for the full year 2021 will be ahead of current market expectations
Glenigan to host Construction sector forecast webinar
As the construction industry continues to recover from the turbulence of the last 18 months, the Glenigan forecast seeks to provide a clearer picture of what’s next for the sectors and regions. Glenigan’s UK Construction Industry Forecast webinar on Tuesday 16th November at 11am, discussing the findings of their latest forecast for 2022-2023. The webinar will present analysis of the construction industry data to provide insight into the opportunities and threats that will face all sectors of the industry over the next two years.
EDUCATION:
PE and sport premium for primary schools
How much PE and sport premium funding schools receive and advice on how it should be spent – updated the information about carried forward unspent PE and sport premium grant funding, added the payment dates for 2021 to 2022 and a link to the conditions of grant.
ENVIRONMENT:
Monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in England wastewater, monthly statistics: 1 June to 20 September 2021
Data showing the concentration of SARS-CoV-2 RNA detected in wastewater by the EMHP wastewater monitoring programme.
HEALTH & WELLBEING:
Regulatory approval of Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine for COVID-19
Information for healthcare professionals and the public about the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine – update to the summary of product characteristics and patient information leaflet for the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine condition marketing authorisation documents
COVID-19 Health Inequalities Monitoring in England Tool (CHIME)
A national tool that brings together data to monitor the direct impacts of COVID-19 on health inequalities.
Secretary of State gives notice of revocation of declaration under Schedule 21 of the Coronavirus Act 2020
In line with step 4 of the roadmap the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has laid an SI that will remove certain powers from the Coronavirus Act 2020, subject to Parliamentary approval.
PROPERTY:
Confirming many Covid-related trends, it appears that outer city properties have seen their yields and rents grow to a greater degree than city centre homes.
A study of London, Birmingham and Manchester by buy to let specialist Sequre Property Investment shows that on average across all three cities, the monthly cost of renting within an inner-city area sits at £1,152 versus £908 per month in the outer city market – a difference of 27 per cent.
RETAIL:
Chancellor unveils measures to help retail sector recover from pandemic
Rishi Sunak has temporarily reduced business rates in a reprieve for thousands of Covid-hit retailers and is drawing up plans for the levy to be replaced with an online sales tax. The Chancellor handed a 50pc rates discount worth £7 billion to high street shops, pubs and restaurants hammered by the pandemic, in the biggest cut to the tax in 20 years. However, he insisted it would be “wrong” to give in to demands from Labour for the rates system to be scrapped altogether unless it can be replaced with another source of revenue as they are worth £25 billion Budget 2021: Here are the key points
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 – Essex Arena is closed from 6am on 6 November until 8am on 8 November 2021. Free 24-hour testing for COVID-19 is available at Thurrock Services from 6am on 6 November until 8am on 8 November 2021.
TRAVEL:
Covid passes: What are the rules around Europe?
While England scrapped plans for Covid passports – at least for now – Scotland and Wales are like many countries in Europe which are using them to allow people to go into bars, restaurants, cinemas and museums. In Italy, Covid passes are needed to go into workplaces, and Austria’s about to join them.
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