UK NEWS & HEADLINES:
UK STATISTICS
Total UK Cases: 4,341,736 positive tests
Latest UK daily figure: 4,040 new cases
Number in UK hospital: 4,153 (259 fewer than previous day)
New deaths across UK: 56
Total UK deaths: 126,670
England Cases per 100,000: 41 per 100,000 (daily change: 1 fewer)
R number in UK: 0.7 to 0.9
Vaccine data:
Total 1st doses given: 30,680,948 – latest daily figure
Daily 1st doses: 236,119
There have been more than 4.3 million confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK and sadly over 126,000 people have died. More than 28 million people have had their first dose of a coronavirus vaccine. More than 30 million people in the UK have had a first dose of the Covid vaccine.
The Government is confident everyone will have their second jab within 12 weeks. Data shows more than 3.5million people have had their second jab.
The average number of daily infections in the UK has continued to decline but is flattening. A further 4,654 confirmed cases across the UK were announced by the government yesterday, Monday, compared with 5,342 new cases a week ago.
The R value and growth rate in the UK
The latest reproduction number (R) and growth rate of coronavirus (COVID-19) in the UK. The R range for the UK is 0.7 to 0.9 and the growth rate range is -5% to -2% per day as of 26th March 2021.
Following the announcement of plans to ease of lockdown, the roadmap can be found in full here.
National lockdown: Stay at Home
Find out what you can and cannot do – updated to include a summary of rule changes from 29th March
Slides, datasets and transcripts to accompany coronavirus press conferences
HEADLINES & UPDATES:
Health Secretary warns ‘don’t blow it’ as warm weather continues
As the UK enjoyed the hottest March day in half a century, thousands gathered to enjoy the weather in outdoor spaces, prompting social distancing concerns.
MattHancock has warned people not to ‘blow it’ by breaching coronavirus guidelines as more people flock to public open spaces. Since Monday, two households or groups of up to six people have been able to meet outside in England as the stay-at-home Covid restrictions order came to an end. The government has also unveiled a new slogan – Hands, Face, Space and Fresh Air – to emphasise the importance of ventilation in reducing the spread of the virus.
Last day of shielding for 4 million clinically vulnerable
Today is the last day for about four million people who are considered clinically vulnerable to shield at home. They were advised to take extra care to avoid contracting Covid-19 during the pandemic, because they are considered more at risk of needing hospital treatment.According to NHS Digital, there are 3.8 million shielded patients in England and 130,000 in Wales and they include people who have had stem cell transplants or are having chemotherapy treatment for cancer, and adults with chronic kidney disease. Cases and hospital admissions are falling but the change, from tomorrow, still urges caution. People will no longer need to shield at home but they are still being advised to keep social contacts at low levels, work from home where possible and stay at a distance from other people.
LOCAL / REGIONAL NEWS & UPDATES:
Latest Stockport data:
Total Stockport cases: 20,607 to 30th March
Cases in the latest week: 212 (15 fewer cases than previous week)
Total deaths: 694 to March 19th
Cases per 100,000: 72 per 100,000 (England area avg: 41)
R number in North West: 0.7 – 1.0
Number of 1st dose of vaccine: 131,809 people have received 1st dose vaccine to 21st March
REGIONAL & LOCAL NEWS:
Thousands of jobs created as Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund hits milestone
More than £237m has been invested by the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund across over 1,000 deals since it was founded four years ago. A total of 1,068 deals have been completed across the North over that time, with an additional £288m leveraged from the private sector. Initially a £400m fund, the Chancellor committed an additional £100m to NPIF in 2020, making £500m available for investment.
MAG study shows travel corridor list could be more than doubled with no increase in risk, due to UK vaccination programme
A study carried out by Oxera and Edge Health for Manchester Airports Group shows that if case rates this summer are similar to last year, passengers could start travelling to more than 130 countries such as Spain, the United States, and Dubai.
- Rising immunity in the UK means that more than 100 countries could open up to UK visitors without an increase in risk, if case rates are similar to last summer
- With high-performing antigen tests administered pre-departure, the list could increase to more than 130 with the same level of accepted risk
- UK’s successful vaccine roll-out means British travellers could visit countries with prevalence rates three times higher than in 2020 without increasing the risk or putting pressure on the NHS
- Findings come as the UK government considers the reopening of international travel from May 17 with a suggested tiered approach to managing risk
Lloyds: North West business confidence rises again
Business confidence in the North West rose during March, according to Lloyds, with optimism continuing to spread across the region. Companies reported higher confidence in their own business prospects month-on-month, up five points to 15 per cent. When taken alongside their optimism in the economy – up 20 points to 36 per cent – this gives a headline confidence reading of 26 per cent.
The figure is the highest total recorded since February 2020. Read on
108 Greater Manchester schools hit by Covid since return to classroom
Yesterday marked three weeks since pupils returned to primary and secondary schools across the region. While the majority of schools have had little or no disruption, more than 100 have been impacted by positive cases among pupils, staff or both. Many of the confirmed cases are being picked up by lateral flow tests being done by secondary students and staff working across all education settings.
But union leaders fear this may well drop off if parents don’t get on board with the testing from home and asymptomatic cases will go undetected while they spread the infection among classmates. See schools affected here
CORONAVIRUS GRANTS FOR BUSINESSES IN STOCKPORT:
Discretionary Grant Scheme – Additional Restrictions Grant
The Council launched an Economic Recovery Fund on 26/03/21, which provides 5 new business grants through the Additional Restrictions Grant funding.
Applications for the current Additional Restrictions Grant scheme, and the Micro-Business grant scheme will close on 30/04/21 and no further applications will be accepted for these original ARG schemes after that date.
The new Economic Recovery Fund ARG schemes are:
- The Stockport Economic Recovery Boost Grant
This grant will be provided to businesses that have been successful in applying for the original ARG scheme for closed businesses that have separate commercial premises with ongoing costs. Businesses do not need to apply for this scheme as their details are already held and will be used to identify eligible businesses which will be contacted during April 2021 about their further grant payment under this scheme.
This grant is to support smaller, independent retail operators with premises in the market place and Underbanks area only, to reopen and restart their businesses.
This is a one-off fixed grant of £3,000 for each business that successfully applies.
Businesses that wish to apply should email skladgrants@stockport.co.uk asking for the eligibility and application guidance and application form for the Stockport Economic Recovery Market Place & Underbanks Independent Retailer Boost Grant. Applications for this grant scheme will close on 31/05/2021.
- The Stockport Economic Recovery Hospitality Sector Boost Grant
This grant is for supporting the reopening and restart of hospitality sector businesses with their own premises in Stockport.
This is a one-off fixed grant of £5,000 for each business that successfully applies. Businesses that wish to apply should email skladgrants@stockport.co.uk asking for the eligibility and application guidance and application form for the Stockport Economic Recovery Hospitality Sector Boost Grant. Applications for this grant scheme will close on 31/05/2021.
- The Stockport Economic Recovery Covid Capital Grant
This grant is for businesses to apply for to make changes to premises and/or to buy additional kit to support reopening and operating in a covid secure way.
Businesses that wish to apply should email skladgrants@stockport.co.uk asking for the eligibility and application guidance and application form for the Stockport Economic Recovery Covid Capital Grant. Applications for this grant scheme will close on 31/05/2021.
- The Stockport Economic Recovery Locality Boost Grant
This grant is for district centre trading associations, or their equivalent, to bid in to for their local areas to run stimulus events to drive local footfall and customers into local areas to use local businesses that are reopening.
Where localities do not have training associations that can lead a bid, an equivalent lead accountable body or local business will need to be agreed by businesses in that locality to lead as the single point of contact for their area.
There will only be one application accepted and one grant, if successful, provided per locality. Businesses that wish to apply should email skladgrants@stockport.co.uk asking for the eligibility and application guidance and application form for the Stockport Economic Recovery Locality Boost Grant.
Applications for this grant scheme will close on 17/05/2021 (please note this is earlier than for the other schemes).
Information about the grant schemes, eligibility and the online application form are available at this link – Discretionary Grant Schemes – Stockport Council
SECTOR SPECIFIC CORONAVIRUS-RELATED NEWS:
BUSINESS:
Working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19)
Find out how to make your workplace COVID-secure. Change made:
The visitor economy – updated to include information on reasonable adjustments, changes to NHS Test and Trace regulations and changes to national restrictions from 29 March.
Working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19)
Find out how to make your workplace COVID-secure.
Vehicles – Addition of information on ventilation, tests and the roadmap setting out how COVID-19 restrictions will be eased.
Ask HMRC not to publish your Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme claim details
Find out what to do if you are an employer and publishing your claim details could leave individuals at risk of violence or intimidation.
Employers who have claimed through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
Monthly data on claims made by employers through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.
CHARITIES:
Disability charities benefit from £2.4 million fund
The money will fund services to provide practical support for disabled children, set up and expand helplines, and provide mental health and wellbeing support.
COMMUNITY:
COVID-19 PCR home test kit instructions
Step-by-step guide available in different formats on how to use and return your PCR home test kit to test yourself for COVID-19.
How to stop the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19)
Advice for everyone to help stop the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) – amended Easy read to remove references to national lockdown and updated links to guidance on what you can and cannot do.
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
COVID-19: guidance for households with possible coronavirus infection
Stay at home guidance for households with possible coronavirus (COVID-19) infection – reinforced advice for those who have been fully vaccinated. Guidance updated regarding follow-up PCR for positive assisted LFD tests.
Getting help with daily activities outside your home during coronavirus
If you need support while outside your home, this guide explains what you and the people helping you should do to limit the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) – updated to reflect changes to the coronavirus restrictions that came into effect on 29 March.
EDUCATION:
Actions for schools during the coronavirus outbreak
What all schools will need to do during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Guidance updated to reflect the DHSC announcement that a confirmatory PCR test is required following a positive LFD test result in England.
Transport to school and other places of education: 2020 to 2021 academic year
What local authorities will need to do during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak for the 2020 to 2021 academic year – updated guidance to reflect the DHSC announcement that a confirmatory PCR test is required following a positive LFD test result in England.
Coronavirus and the impact on measures of UK government education output: March 2020 to February 2021
An update on our approach to measuring education output in the UK during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Includes a summary of our approach to measuring changes in teaching from March 2020, and the data used to inform our estimates of education output in the UK National Accounts.
What parents and carers need to know about early years providers, schools and colleges during COVID-19
Information for parents and carers about attending schools, nurseries and colleges in the spring term 2021 – updated guidance on home testing for students, changes to shielding, returning to boarding schools, Test and Trace support payments, wraparound provision, school trips, confirmatory PCR tests for secondary and college-aged students and Ofsted Inspections.
Actions for FE colleges and providers during the coronavirus outbreak
Find out what you’ll need to do during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak to maintain provision – updated the guidance to reflect the DHSC announcement that a confirmatory PCR test is required following a positive LFD test result in England.
Special schools and other specialist settings: coronavirus (COVID-19)
What all special schools and other specialist settings will need to do during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak – updated the guidance to reflect the DHSC announcement that a confirmatory PCR test is required following a positive LFD test result in England.
Asymptomatic testing: secondary schools and colleges
Information for schools and colleges about testing from January – updated the guidance to reflect the DHSC announcement that a confirmatory PCR test is required following a positive LFD test result in England.
Data sharing advisory committee
A Data Sharing Project has been set up to give bone fide researchers access to examinations and wider data.
Early years foundation stage (EYFS) statutory framework
The standards that school and childcare providers must meet for the learning, development and care of children from birth to 5 – added a new statutory framework for the early years foundation stage which applies from 1 September 2021. Until then, the current framework applies.
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HEALTH & WELLBEING:
Surge testing for new coronavirus (COVID-19) variants
How ‘surge testing’ and genomic sequencing is being used in locations in England where COVID-19 variants have been identified – updated to include Bolton Council (area of Wingates Industrial Estate in the BL5 postcode) in the locations using surge testing, and to reflect that the London Borough of Southwark (specific area in SE5) and London Borough of Wandsworth (specific areas in SW11 and SW15) have completed surge testing.
Assessment and procurement of coronavirus (COVID-19) tests
How the government assesses offers of COVID-19 tests from developers for procurement and use in the UK – updated the attachment ‘National standardised test performance process for manufacturers of SARS-CoV-2 virus antibody tests’ to update the products in the pipeline table.
Supported living services during coronavirus (COVID-19)
Guidance for providers of supported living settings – updated ‘COVID-19: guidance for supported living’ to replace the ‘Visitors and support bubbles’ section with the new ‘Visits in and out of supported living settings’ section.
NHS and social care staff: check if a COVID-19 patient has an attorney or deputy
Find out about the information we have on our registers and how NHS staff and local authorities in England and Wales can ask us for it
Guidance for contacts of people with confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) infection who do not live with the person
Guidance for contacts of a person with a positive test result for coronavirus (COVID-19) who do not live with that person – reinforced advice for those who have been fully vaccinated. Guidance updated regarding follow up PCR and contacts released from self-isolation.
LEGAL:
NHS and social care staff: check if a COVID-19 patient has an attorney or deputy
Find out about the information we have on our registers and how NHS staff and local authorities in England and Wales can ask us for it – amending information about EPA searches from ‘only relating to financial information’ to ‘not stored digitally’
PROPERTY:
How can investors capitalise on rise in remote working?
‘Property investors are recognising the shifts in the way people work and eyeing up the ‘lucrative’ short-term rental market as a way of catering to the new ways of living and working.’ That’s according to Mike Liverton, chief executive of Jetstream Hospitality Solutions, who says his company is seeing investors of multi-unit properties accessing this sector, often with little previous experience, efficiently and profitably – servicing the need for short-lets from remote workers.
“The Governor of the Bank of England predicts that the way people work has changed forever as a result of the pandemic,” Liverton said. “The ‘work from anywhere’ trend will continue to grow as we need to spend less time in the office. This in turn fuels the demand from an increasing number of remote workers for more flexible living accommodation as they adopt a more nomadic approach to both work and life – no longer needing to be rooted to one location.”
Covid eviction backlog – Government told to find faster court solution
A House of Lords committee is urging the government to find alternatives to court possession cases in a bid to deal with the backlog of eviction hearings as a result of the pandemic. The committee says: “The stay on housing possession claims protected private and social renters from eviction during the Covid-19 pandemic, and was a significant step in providing security of tenure for most tenants in England and Wales during a difficult period. However, it has contributed to the backlog in the courts, further undermining the timely delivery of justice and placing additional pressure on the justice system.”
TRANSPORT:
Haulier coronavirus testing
To monitor the number of tests delivered and the positivity rate of the tests.
Transport use during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic
To monitor the use of the transport system during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. DfT provides statistics on transport use by mode.
TRAVEL:
Day 2 and day 8 testing for international arrivals: minimum standards for providers
Sets out the minimum standards that private sector providers must meet for the COVID-19 tests for people arriving in England – updated ‘Minimum standards that apply to day 2 and day 8 tests’ guidance with changes as of 6 April in ‘Reporting of coronavirus test results’, ‘Reporting test sales’, ‘Sales of tests’ and ‘Reference number format’; and added ‘Issuance of booking reference’ section.
Bespoke testing regime unveiled for exempt international arrivals
The UK government has today (Sunday 28 March) set out new details of a bespoke testing regime for international arrivals who will be exempt from quarantine for work purposes, including for hauliers arriving from outside the Common Travel Area into England – added link to guidance jobs that may qualify for travel exemptions
Providers of day 2 and day 8 coronavirus testing for international arrivals
Information on the 2 tests you must book, pay for and take during your mandatory 10-day quarantine period after arriving in England, including how to book.
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.
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.
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:
Useful Government links for easing out of lockdown:
- Roadmap – Spring 2021: including the easing of restrictions from 29 March
- Covid-19 Vaccine
- Workplace Testing
- Back To School translations
- Stay Home translations
Coronavirus Roadmap out of lockdown – what and when?
From 29 March:
- People will be allowed to meet outside, either with one other household or within the “rule of six”, including in private gardens
- The stay at home rule will end, but the government will urge people to stay local as much as possible
- Outdoor sport facilities will reopen, including golf courses and tennis and basketball courts, and formally organised outdoor sports can restart
- Weddings attended by up to six people can take place in any circumstances
Stage two (no earlier than 12 April):
- All shops allowed to open, along with close-contact services, including hairdressers and beauty salons (including in people’s homes)
- Restaurants and pubs allowed to serve food and alcohol to customers sitting outdoors Gyms and spas can reopen, as can zoos, theme parks, libraries and community centres
- Members of the same household can take a holiday in the UK in self-contained accommodation
- Weddings attended by up to 15 people can take place
Stage three (no earlier than 17 May):
- People can meet in groups of up to 30 outdoors
- Six people or two households can meet indoors
- Pubs, restaurants and other hospitality venues can seat customers indoors
- Up to 30 people can attend weddings or other life events, like christenings
- Remaining outdoor entertainment, such as outdoor theatres and cinemas can open
- Indoor entertainment such as museums, theatres, cinemas and children’s play areas can open
- Performances and large events can restart, but with limits on audience numbers
- Hotels, hostels and B&Bs can reopen
- International leisure travel may resume
- Adult indoor group sports and exercise classes can restart
Stage four (no earlier than 21 June):
- All legal limits on social contact will be removed
- No legal limits on the number of people who can attend weddings, funerals and other life events
- Nightclubs will be allowed to reopen
Publishing information about your claimsIn January HMRC published the list of employers who claimed under the CJRS for periods from December onwards, on GOV???.UK.
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:
- Extending the length of the loan from six years to 10;
- Making interest-only payments for six months, then repaying the principal on a phased basis with other interest-only periods;
- Delaying repayments entirely for up to six months.
Check if your business is eligible for a coronavirus grant due to national restrictions (for closed businesses)
Check if your business is eligible for the coronavirus Closed Businesses Lockdown Payment
Check if you’re eligible for the coronavirus Additional Restrictions Grant
Check if your nightclub, dance hall or adult entertainment business is eligible for a coronavirus grant due to national restrictions
Check if you’re eligible for the coronavirus Local Restrictions Support Grant (for closed businesses)
Check if you’re eligible for the coronavirus Local Restrictions Support Grant (for open businesses)
Check if you’re eligible for the Christmas Support Payment for wet-led pubs
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
Coronavirus – Guidance for employees and employers in Stockport: https://www.stockport.gov.uk/guidance-for-employees-employers-and-businesses
COVID-19 Winter Plan
The government’s plan for managing COVID-19 through the end of 2020 and into the start of 2021.
Check which employees you can put on furlough to use the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
Find out which employees you can put on furlough and claim for through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.
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 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.
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.
Self-Employment Income Support Scheme grant extension
Find out if you’re eligible and how much you can get.
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
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.
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 SchemeFrom 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.
16th April: Coronavirus News Updates