28th October: Coronavirus News Updates

Help us to help you by completing a short survey

UK HEADLINES:

Leaders call for UK to adopt joined-up approach to Christmas
Coronavirus restrictions and relaxations (if there are any) should be the same across all four UK nations this Christmas, says the Lib Dems and Alliance Party of Northern Ireland saying the UK Government should take action now “so Christmas isn’t cancelled”. Environment secretary George Eustice say she wants Christmas to be “as close to normal as possible” but that it’s “too early to say” what rules may be in place then.

Retail to residential – has John Lewis set a precedent?
The high street was already struggling before the pandemic, but Covid-19 has perhaps sent it into terminal decline. High streets in major towns and cities across the UK are now virtual ghost-towns as office workers and tourists stay away. With the rise in online shopping – supercharged during lockdown and since – out of town retail parks and shopping centres are also struggling with reduced footfall and the need for customers to social distance. In response to this, John Lewis – one of the biggest and most successful retail giants in the UK, and a well-respected brand name – has revealed that it will build and furnish private rental properties.
Until now known best for its high-end department stores, ownership of Waitrose, unique company structure (all employees are shareholders and receive a yearly bonus) and increasingly ambitious and high-cost Christmas adverts, John Lewis – founded in 1864 – says it has a long-term target to secure 40% of its annual income from non-retail activities. Read more

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Review: data and analysis, March to October 2020
The Compendium contains ONS data and analysis on the health, social and economic impact of COVID-19 for the period of March to October 2020. It is a stocktake of the pandemic since it began, on a thematic basis, of how society and the economy has responded so far.

Latest UK data:

Positive tests:                        917,575 have tested positive (+ 22,885 new cases)
Loss of life:                           *45,365 across all settings (+ 367 in last 24 hours)
Hospital admissions:           1,152 new admissions
Cases in Stockport:             1,142 cases 18 Oct to 24 Oct (+280 on previous week)
Cases in Stockport:            389 cases per 100,000 (England area average: 144)
Deaths in Stockport:            380 coronavirus-related registered to 16 October
Total cases in Stockport:     6,385 to 27 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:

£15.9m walking and cycling scheme given the green light
Stockport’s walking and cycling infrastructure is set for a boost with work due to start this autumn on five new #BeeNetwork projects in the borough. The council has received more than £15.9m in funding from the Mayor of Greater Manchester’s MCF pot to begin work on five schemes set to begin this autumn. Schemes include a signal-controlled Parallel Crossing on Gillbent Road in Cheadle Hulme, with segregated space for pedestrians and cyclists – the first of its kind in the UK. Further projects will be delivered in the Heatons, at Harwood Road and Meadows Road, close to the McVities factory, on Didsbury Road in Heaton Mersey and at Nelstrop Road in Heaton Chapel. It is expected that the first project to be completed will be Gillbent Road, before Christmas 2020. Read more here

Stockport Council issue vouchers for families in need this half-term
Stockport Council is committing to ensuring no child goes hungry this half-term and will be funding supermarket meal vouchers for all children who are currently receiving means-tested free school meals.

If a child is currently eligible for free school meals, parents will receive £15 per child of supermarket vouchers for either Asda, Tesco or Aldi. If you require assistance to use the voucher, because you are self-isolating or cannot access the named supermarket, you can contact our Coronavirus Helpline on 0161 217 6046 who can arrange help with shopping or getting online to place an order.

oneGM campaign launches to unite Greater Manchester
oneGM brings together the public, private, sport, cultural, faith, and VCSE sectors across the city-region in the face of ongoing Covid restrictions. The campaign aims to provide help and support beyond the package offered by the UK government, in recognition of the hardship many may be facing over the winter. At a launch event, Greater Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham, restated his commitment to supporting those whose livelihoods have been affected directly by the Tier 3 restrictions, in particular, the lowest-paid workers, businesses forced to close and the many self-employed and freelance workers. Bringing together money from the public sector, private business and charity donations, oneGM will provide a package of support for those most in need. Members of the public can donate to local charities and voluntary organisations through the oneGM campaign on the Mayor’s Charity website.

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:

Financial support for businesses during coronavirus (COVID-19)
Find out what financial support you can get for your business – added details about the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme grant extension.

Check if you can claim back Statutory Sick Pay paid to employees due to coronavirus (COVID-19)
Who can use the scheme has been updated so employers can ask for a ‘shielding note’ or a letter from their doctor or health authority advising them to shield because they’re at high risk of severe illness from coronavirus.

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.

HMRC Updates:

The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme closes on 31??? ?October and you will need to make any final claims on or before?3?0??? ?November. The Job Support Scheme opens on 1??? ?November, with claims opening on 8??? ?December.
Make sure you have the latest information by joining the live COVID-19 support for employers webinar. We’ll provide an overview of:

theCoronavirus Job Retention Scheme and how to claim
the latest information on the Job Retention Bonus, including how to check if your employees are eligible, when you can claim and what you need to do now to prepare
an introduction to the Job Support Scheme (JSS), which provides different types of support to businesses so that they can get the right assistance, at the right time, according to their situation.

We will continue to update our webinars to reflect the latest information as it becomes available. Register here
We are also running monthly webinars on the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme. Get the latest information on:

who can claim
who you can claim for
how to make a claim
what you may be entitled to, and more.

You can ask questions during all our live webinars using the on-screen text box. Our webinars are constantly updated to provide the latest government guidance on changes as they develop.

COMMUNITY:

Coronavirus: driving theory tests
Theory tests are happening in England and Scotland. They are suspended in Wales from 6pm on 23 October to 9 November because of the coronavirus firebreak – updated the information about wearing a face covering, as you must now wear one in England, Scotland and Wales, unless you have a good reason not to.

CONSTRUCTION:

Covid crisis bringing construction sector closer together
Latest research from consultant Gleeds surveyed main contractors, subcontractors and suppliers on ways in which Covid-19 is changing the face of the construction industry. It showed a 30% drop in the last survey in firms who thought that a more adversarial approach to contracts was inevitable going forward.
Gleeds said: “It would appear that many in the industry are taking a longer-term view, recognising the importance of supply chain stability and smarter, more collaborative procurement to achieve better project outcomes.”
The survey also found that two thirds of contractors will seek to incorporate modern methods of construction (MMC) on future projects as a direct result of the pandemic and social distancing. Almost all of the contractors questioned (94%) said the implementation of required social distancing measures will lead to delays in project completion, with 10% believing that delivery schedules could be delayed by over 20%. Douglas McCormick, Executive Chairman at Gleeds UK, said:
“Over the past seven months there has been a conscious, collaborative drive to keep things moving.” Read more

HEALTH, CARE & WELLBEING:

COVID-19: impact on vaccination programmes
Reports assessing the impact of COVID-19-related physical distancing measures on delivery of childhood vaccination programmes in England – added fourth report covering vaccine counts to week 41 and vaccine coverage to August 2020.

Medical devices given exceptional use authorisations during the COVID-19 pandemic
List of manufacturers and their medical devices which have been granted an exemption by the MHRA. The list also includes manufacturers whose exemption expired or was cancelled. This information will be listed for 2 months after expiry or cancellation.

Cycle threshold (Ct) in SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR
A guide for health protection teams about interpreting Ct in real-time, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assays performed for Sars-CoV-2.

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.

JUDICIARY:

Coronavirus (COVID-19): courts and tribunals planning and preparation
This page provides advice and guidance for all court and tribunal users during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and will be updated when new advice is available.

MANUFACTURING:

The Japanese parent of St Helens glass giant Pilkington has launched a new product that can help in the fight against bacteria and viruses, triggered by sunlight.
NSG Group said it recognises the world has changed and that health and safety are at the forefront of everyone’s mind. In response to these challenges, NSG has launched Pilkington SaniTise, designed by the R&D team at its Ormskirk operation. Pilkington SaniTise is a transparent coated glass aimed at creating a healthier, cleaner, safer world. Naturally activated through UV exposure from daylight, the pyrolytic coating provides antimicrobial properties and activity against enveloped viruses on the glass surface.

MILITARY:

Tri-service regulations for expenses and allowances (JSP 752)
JSP 752 is the policy document for expenses and allowances for regular and reserve UK armed forces personnel – addition of: Directed letter – involuntarily separated status for service personnel being assigned overseas. Regulatory flexibility in response to coronavirus.

PROPERTY:

Short lets group calls for more cash to survive Covid crisis
The new trade group representing short lets operators is asking the government to make sure the short lets sector is specifically included in future public cash handouts related to Coronavirus. The UK Short Term Accommodation Association’s letter to government is in response to last week’s announcement by the Chancellor that leisure and hospitality businesses in Tier 2 areas would be eligible for grants of up to £2,100 per month from their local authorities. The association claims that earlier this year many of its members struggled to obtain local authority grants due to technicalities over whether or not they could be classified as ‘hospitality businesses’.

RETAIL:

High Street shoe chain threat to close 90 stores
Shoe Zone said that the government’s plan to reintroduce an “antiquated” business rates system and the postponement of revaluation could represent the closure of up to 20 per cent of its stores. The business rates system is set to come into play in April 2021, and Shoe Zone could see 45 stores close in the period up until then as it waits for revaluation – with a further 45 stores to be cut in the 12 months following the reintroduction.

TRAVEL:

Operators praised for snap travel corridor reaction
Agents have hailed various operators and suppliers for their efforts to get the Canaries and the Maldives back on sale within hours of the government’s decision last week to open quarantine-free travel corridors to the two popular winter sun destinations.

Covid-19 Webinars:

November 4^th:
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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.