29th November – Coronavirus News Updates

Help Stockport Council to improve the support they give to employers
Stockport Council is working with researchers at the Behavioural Insights Team to better understand the needs of employers to support youth employment. We will use your feedback to improve our services. Please click the button below to take part in the survey. The survey takes no more than 5 minutes. Take the survey here

Stockport saw a surge in unemployment figures for young people 16-25 years old in 2020 as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Stockport Council is already working with young people to get them ‘work ready.’ This research explores ways to increase the number of paid work placements for young people in Stockport. We will use your feedback to improve the support we give to employers.

STOCKPORT GRANT SCHEMES:

Stockport Council launches new Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) for businesses facing continued challenges from impact of coronavirus
Stockport Council has opened applications for its Additional Restrictions Grant scheme, allowing businesses that remain negatively affected by the coronavirus pandemic to access further financial support. The Additional Restrictions Grant supports businesses that are not covered by other grant schemes or where additional funding is needed. You can apply for the Additional Restrictions Grant if your trading levels continue to be negatively impacted by coronavirus (COVID-19).

ARG Grant data as at 26/11/2021:
Applications received:         221
Applications allocated:        24%
Value of Grants issued:      £174,500

Locality Boost Grant
The Council is also offering a further opportunity for businesses in local areas to access a Locality Boost Grant for their area if they did not do so in the first round of these grants. The Locality Boost Grant is for district centre trading associations or their equivalent. District centre trading associations can bid for your local area to run events to drive footfall that will support local businesses that are reopening. If the local area does not have a trading association that can lead the bid, an equivalent lead accountable body or local business will need to be agreed by businesses in that area. They will then lead as the single point of contact for their area. Only one application for each local area will be accepted. Further information on the Locality Boost Grant and how to apply is available at this link Locality Boost Grant – Stockport Council”

Locality Boost Grant data as at 26/11/2021:
Applications received: 17
Applications processed / in process: 100%

GOV & BBC UK daily data:

There have been more than 10 million confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK and sadly nearly 145,000 people have died, government figures show. More than 50.7 million people have now received a first dose of the vaccine, nearly 88% of people in the UK aged 12 and over. About 80% have had their second and 31% have had a booster.

Total UK Cases: 10,146,915 positive tests
Latest UK daily figure: 37,681 new cases
Number in UK hospital: 7,633, 21 fewer than on previous day
New deaths across UK: 51
Total UK deaths: 144,775
England Cases per 100,000: 449
R number in UK: 0.9 to 1.1

Vaccine data:

Total 1^st doses given: 50,917,949 – 89% of UK aged 12+
Total 2^nd doses: 81%
Daily 1^st doses: 22,304
Daily 2nd doses: 31,679
Daily Booster doses: 450,480

Latest Stockport data:

There was a rise of 20 per cent in cases in Stockport over the week ending November 23, and the infection rate is now 383.8 cases per 100,000 population. Stockport recorded 1129 positive Covid-19 tests over the seven-day period, and that is 189 more than the previous week

Total Stockport cases: 50,444 to 26 November
Cases in the latest week: 1,129, 189 more than previous week
Total deaths: 786 to November 12th
Cases per 100,000: 383.3 per 100,000 week ending 23 November

Stockport vaccine data:

1^st dose: 84% of over 12s to 23 November
2^nd dose: 77%

The R value and growth rate
The R range for England is 1.0 to 1.1 and the growth rate range for England is -1% to +2% per day as of 26 November 2021.

PM opening statement at COVID-19 press conference: 27 November 2021
Prime Minister Boris Johnson held a COVID-19 press conference.

UK NEWS UPDATES:

Face coverings to become mandatory in shops and on public transport
From 4am tomorrow, Tuesday 30 November, face coverings will be compulsory in shops and other settings such as banks, post offices and hairdressers, as well as on public transport.

Government takes decisive action against new COVID-19 variant
From Tuesday 30 November, face coverings will be mandatory in shops and on public transport and all travellers returning to the UK will require PCR testing. From 4am Tuesday 30 November face coverings will be compulsory in shops and other settings such as banks, post offices and hairdressers, as well as on public transport unless individuals are exempt from doing so. All travellers arriving to the country from 4am on Tuesday 30 November will be required to take a PCR test on or before day 2 and self isolate until they have received a negative test result. These PCR tests can be purchased from private providers. Free NHS tests are not valid for this purpose. Under the UK presidency an urgent meeting of G7 health ministers will also be convened on Monday 29 November to discuss the developments on Omicron. This update adds to the measures rapidly implemented earlier this week to prevent the spread of the new variant including travel restrictions and meaning all close contacts of anyone who has tested positive for the Omicron variant are required to isolate for 10 days regardless of whether they have been vaccinated.

England’s Covid rules strengthened amid concern over the Omicron variant.

What are the new measures?

From Tuesday, face coverings will once again be compulsory in shops and on public transport
All contacts of suspected Omicron cases will be required to self-isolate for 10 days, regardless of a person’s vaccination status
From 04:00 GMT on Tuesday, anyone entering the UK will require a PCR test within 48 hours of arrival and will need to self-isolate until they have a negative result
Pupils at secondary schools are being “strongly advised” to wear face coverings in communal areas. The guidance also applies to staff and visitors at all schools and childcare settings.
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) – the UK’s vaccine advisory body – is to announce whether the booster vaccines should be rolled out “to as wide as group as possible”, and whether to reduce the time between the second dose and booster
The PM said the new rules were temporary and would be reviewed after three weeks.

Booster jab rollout review
The UK’s vaccine advisory body, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, is expected to decide whether it will recommend offering Covid booster jabs to more people. Its deputy chairman Prof Anthony Harnden says it would be a “sensible strategy” to reduce time between doses and extend boosters to people under 40, who are not currently eligible. This comes as fresh restrictions were announced to tackle the new Omicron variant, which is currently showing higher re-infection risk. Measures covering face masks, schools and travel go before Parliament later.

COVID-19 variants identified in the UK
Latest updates on SARS-CoV-2 variants detected in the UK.

REGIONAL & LOCAL NEWS:

Developer submits plans to create industrial and warehouse in Reddish
Developers Western UK Property Group (WUKPG) have submitted plans to redevelop Vauxhall Industrial Estate on Greg Street in Reddish and build over 200,000 sq ft of new industrial and warehouse units on the site. All existing units on the industrial estate are currently vacant, and planning permission has previously been granted for the demolition of part of the site, with one shed on the site having already been taken down. New proposals by WUKPG and architects C4 Projects, will see all existing buildings demolished and replaced with 28 units across six blocks, totalling 205,787 sq ft of new Class B2/B8 Industrial Units. Individual units will range from 4,000 to 13,500 sq, inclusive of first floor office space.

Health and Care awards recognise Stockport’s pandemic heroes
Stockport has recognised the contributions made to the health and care of others in the borough during the pandemic at the inaugural Stockport Health and Care Awards. Health and care teams, as well as individual efforts, were presented with awards in recognition of their work at a restricted capacity event at Stockport Town Hall on 23rd November. Attendees heard about the tremendous work of shortlisted and nominated candidates during the coronavirus pandemic. The awards received over 300 nominations across 10 categories.

Small Business Saturday 4th December Stockport

Small Business Saturday takes place on 4^th December – Find out all the ways you can get involved on Small Business Saturday website. This year HubSpot are supporting Small Business Saturday – to aid in helping as many businesses as possible to achieve their dreams and accelerate businesses growth. To do this, they have created a one-stop shop for everything small businesses to get your business online. In Essential Resources to Digitalise your Business, you can access 15+ resources to aid in growing your marketing, sales and customer service efforts, all for free.
Are you a big business and interested in supporting Small Business Saturday? If so, please do get in touch.

SECTOR SPECIFIC CORONAVIRUS-RELATED NEWS:

BUSINESS & ECONOMY:

Venture capitalism recovering after pandemic says British Business Bank
The British Business Bank’s market research finds higher company valuations with strong exit activity in 2020 and 2021 contributed to an uplift in venture capital financial returns. UK VC funds with a 2008 to 2013 vintage have seen an increase in their pooled Distributions to Paid In Capital (DPI) multiples of 0.26 points, from 0.79 in 2020 to 1.05 in 2021. Over the same time period, their pooled Total Value to Paid In Capital (TVPI) multiple has increased by 0.28 points, from 1.81 to 2.09 in 2021. The overall improvement in UK fund performance was confirmed by the Bank’s fund manager survey which shows fund managers have positive views on VC market conditions.

COMMUNITY:

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 quarantine and test at home if you’ve been in a red list country and have permission to quarantine at home
Quarantine and testing requirements for people allowed to quarantine at home after arriving in England from a red list country, including rules for their households

How to quarantine at home if you’re not fully vaccinated
What to do when you need to quarantine at home or in the place you’re staying after you arrive in England from abroad.

EDUCATION:

Coronavirus and higher education students: England, 5 to 15 November 2021
Experimental statistics from the Student COVID-19 Insights Survey (SCIS) in England. Includes information on the behaviours, plans, opinions and well-being of higher education students in the context of guidance on the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Actions for schools during the coronavirus outbreak
What all schools will need to do during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic – updated guidance on contact tracing and isolation, travel and quarantine, face coverings and vaccination of under 18-year-olds to reflect new measures announced on 27 November 2021.

Actions for FE colleges and providers during the coronavirus pandemic
Find out what you’ll need to do during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic to maintain provision – updated advice on travel and quarantine, face coverings and vaccination of under 18-year-olds to reflect new measures announced on 27 November 2021.

Higher education providers: coronavirus (COVID-19)
Coronavirus (COVID-19) operational guidance for higher education providers – updated guidance on face coverings, travel and quarantine to reflect new measures announced on 27 November 2021.

Actions for early years and childcare providers during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
Updated guidance on travel and quarantine, face coverings and tracing close contacts and self-isolation to reflect new measures announced on 27 November 2021.

Reported COVID-19 notifications by registered early years and childcare settings

Data on the number of registered early years and childcare providers reporting one or more confirmed cases of COVID-19.

HEALTH & WELLBEING:

Quarantine arrangements for exempt nurses arriving from overseas
What NHS trusts must do to provide managed quarantine accommodation for nurses arriving in England to work for the NHS if they’ve passed through red-list countries.

Vaccine clinics for 12–15-year-olds
New vaccination clinics for eligible 12–15-year-olds in four Stockport sites:

A walk-in vaccination centre in the One Stockport Hub in Merseyway also continues to vaccinate eligible 12-15 year olds from 10am to 3pm every Saturday until 18 December.
Thursday, 9 December, at St Peters Church, Hazel Grove, SK7 4EA from 4pm to 8pm.
Monday, 13 December, at Life Leisure Houldsworth, Reddish, SK5 7AT from 4pm to 8pm.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines adverse reactions
A weekly report covering adverse reactions to approved COVID-19 vaccines

Myocarditis and pericarditis after COVID-19 vaccination
Guidance on myocarditis and pericarditis after COVID-19 vaccination for healthcare professionals.

MANUFACTURING:

UK car production declined -41.4% in October as factories turned out 64,729 units. According to the latest figures released today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), a fourth straight month of decline and the weakest October since 1956 as firms grappled with the global shortage of semiconductors which led to production stoppages. The weak output totals compared to last year are exacerbated by the closure of a UK car plant at the end of July, a deficit that will impact figures for a year.

PROPERTY:

North-West set to become UK’s BTR hotspot
The number one buy-to-let (BTL) hotspot next year will be the North-West, according to new findings from SevenCapital and Zoopla. The region offers the UK’s best yields, closely followed by Yorkshire and the Humber and, in third place, Scotland. The research revealed the top yields expected for 2022 across the UK, with the North-West providing the best rental yield at an average of 4.41% across the UK. This is being driven by ‘exceptional regeneration projects’ in the Northern Powerhouse towns and cities alongside the London ‘exodus’ to the north, accelerated by Covid-19, where prices are less expensive.

One in every 16 homes has been sold this year
By the end of 2021, one in 16 homes will have changed hands, making it the busiest property market since 2007 according to a Zoopla analysis. The soaring demand has also created rocketing house prices – they are rising 6.9 per cent annually right now, only a fraction below the 7.0 per cent seen in the early autumn. At a regional level, Wales continues its eight-month run of registering the highest rate of house price growth, up at 10.8 per cent, followed by the North-West of England on 9.0 per cent. Yet again London offers a sharp contrast; after being most affected by the pandemic and subsequent lockdowns, it is registering more modest price growth of 2.3 per cent.

TRANSPORT:

Haulier advice site locations
The flowing sites where HGV and coach drivers can get free COVID-19 tests and check their documents to transport goods to the EU have now closed: Barton Park, Beaconsfield, Birchanger Green, Cornwall Services, Ferrybridge Services, Fleet southbound, Heywood Distribution Truck Stop, Leicester Forest East northbound, Michaelwood South, Tamworth Services and the Stockyard Truckstop Rotherham.

TRAVEL:

Using your NHS COVID Pass for travel abroad and at venues and settings in England
How to use the NHS COVID Pass to demonstrate your coronavirus (COVID-19) status when travelling abroad and domestically at venues and settings in England – updated to reflect the latest information on how to obtain your NHS COVID Pass in digital or letter format via the NHS.UK website.

Travel to England from another country during coronavirus (COVID-19)
From 4am 30 November 2021, fully vaccinated people must self-isolate and take a PCR test before the end of day 2 after they arrive in England. They may leave self-isolation if their PCR result is negative. Lateral flow tests will not be accepted.

Coronavirus (COVID-19): providing public health information to passengers travelling to or from England
Information that transport operators must ensure is provided to passengers and how to provide it – changes to rules for fully vaccinated passengers travelling to England from 4am 30 November 2021.

Red list of countries and territories
Angola, Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia added to the UK red list 4am Sunday 28 November.

Coronavirus (COVID-19): advice for UK visa applicants and temporary UK residents
This is advice for visa customers and applicants in the UK, visa customers outside of the UK and British nationals overseas who need to apply for a passport affected by travel restrictions associated with coronavirus.

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.

29th November – Coronavirus News Updates

STOCKPORT GRANT SCHEMES: