UK NEWS & HEADLINES:
UK STATISTICS
Total UK Cases: 4,903,434 positive tests
Latest UK daily figure: 24,248 new cases
Number in UK hospital: 1,905, +107 on previous day
New deaths across UK: 15
Total UK deaths: 128,222
England Cases per 100,000: 136 (as of 2 July 2021)
R number in UK: 1.1 to 1.3
Vaccine data:
Total 1st doses given: 45,274,497
Total 2nd doses: 33,068,659
Daily 1st doses: 137,389
Daily 2nd doses: 196,209
There have been 4.9 million confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK and more than 128,000 people have died, government figures show.
However, these figures include only people who have died within 28 days of testing positive for coronavirus. More than 45 million people in the UK have now had their first dose of a coronavirus vaccine.
The R value and growth rate in England
The R range for England is 1.1 to 1.3 and the growth rate range for England is +3% to +6% per day as of 21 June 2021. Following the announcement of plans to ease of lockdown, the roadmap can be found in full here.
Slides, datasets and transcripts to accompany coronavirus press conferences
HEADLINES & UPDATES:
Prime Minister to set out stage 4 of Roadmap out of lockdown
The PM is expected to announce the next steps on social distancing, face coverings and working from home, as well as on care home visits, during a No 10 news conference this afternoon. Step four of the roadmap was delayed last month to no earlier than 19 July. Mr Johnson said as we “learn to live with this virus, we must… exercise judgement when going about our lives”. The coming end to restrictions has been welcomed by the hospitality sector which has been subject to closures and reduced capacity throughout the pandemic, with night clubs yet to be permitted to reopen.
Greater Manchester’s Night Time Economy adviser, Sacha Lord, welcomed the news; he commented on Twitter:
“Today, it’s widely expected that the PM will announce dropping social distancing from the 19th July. A huge moment for hospitality, but: Please remember it will take a minimum of 3 years for these businesses to fully recover. They will need your support now, more than ever.”
Robert Jenrick: Masks will become a personal choice but BMA urges caution
England will move into a period without legal restrictions where the public will have to exercise “personal responsibility” including on face masks, the housing secretary has said. Robert Jenrick told the BBC’s Andrew Marr people would “come to different conclusions” over masks, but he trusted people “to exercise good judgement”. All legal restrictions are expected to be lifted in England on 19 July.
The Scottish government said there would be an “ongoing need” for masks.
Doctors call for ‘targeted coronavirus prevention measures’ to stay after 19 July
Some coronavirus prevention measures should remain after 19 July to stop the “alarming” rise in cases, the British Medical Association says. Dr Nagpaul said the BMA was not asking for the reopening to be delayed but it wanted “targeted measures” to help prevent virus transmission.
Health Secretary opinion piece in the Mail on Sunday
“Amid the endless policy memos and reams of data, I see 2 immediate challenges. The first is how we restore our freedoms and learn to live with (coronavirus) COVID-19. The second is to tackle the NHS backlog – something that we know is going to get far worse before it gets better. We are on track for 19 July and we have to be honest with people about the fact that we cannot eliminate COVID-19.
‘We also need to be clear that cases are going to rise significantly. I know many people will be cautious about the easing of restrictions – that’s completely understandable. But no date we choose will ever come without risk, so we have to take a broad and balanced view. We are going to have to learn to accept the existence of COVID-19 and find ways to cope with it – just as we already do with flu.”
Wimbledon to host full capacity crowds for final rounds in centre and court one
From Tuesday, Centre Court will hold around 15,000 spectators and Court One will host 12,345 fans as Wimbledon reaches its climax. It will be the first major sporting event in the UK to host full capacity crowds in nearly 18 months, after pandemic-enforced limits on social gatherings. The southwest London tennis tournament is part of the of the government’s Events Research Programme (ERP), with stands in the first week of the event allowed to operate at 50% capacity and fans able to remove their masks in the stadiums. These include face masks in public areas such as shops and public transport, and better public messaging about the importance of social distancing and ventilation.
COVID-19: UK reports another 24,248 coronavirus cases and 15 more deaths Coronavirus cases have risen dramatically in the last month, driven by the more transmissible Delta variant, but crucially deaths and hospitalisations remain low. The seven-day average on 1 June was 4,147, but by 1 July it was about six times higher at 24,809.
Celebrities get back to the ‘Rhythm of Life’ in new film supporting COVID-19 vaccination programme
Celebrities, including David Walliams, Jim Broadbent, Russel Tovey, Nicola Roberts and Asa Butterfield, come together to encourage people to get COVID-19 vaccines.
Watch the film here – https://vimeo.com/560412988/ce61c92bb1
LOCAL / REGIONAL NEWS & UPDATES:
Latest Stockport data:
Total Stockport cases: 24,692 to 2 July
Cases in the latest week: 816 (22 to 28 June), up 199 on previous week
Total deaths: 725 to June 11th
Cases per 100,000: 278 per 100,000 week ending 28 June
R number in North West: 1.0 – 1.2
Stockport vaccine data:
1st dose: 82% of adults to 1 July
2nd dose: 62%
Scroll down for the latest Coronavirus Grant news for Stockport based businesses
REGIONAL & LOCAL NEWS:
Infection rates continue to rise across Stockport
Stockport is an area where the trend is up. The latest infection rate here is 298.5 cases per 100,000 people. There were 876 cases recorded in Stockport, which is 233 more than the previous week – a rise of 36 per cent.
Stockport’s Director of Public Health, Jen Connolly, explains why and how it is important to break the chain of transmission in her weekly statement
SECTOR SPECIFIC CORONAVIRUS-RELATED NEWS:
BUSINESS:
Firms urge PM to back returning to the office
A group of business leaders has urged ministers to “set the country clearly on the path to recovery” by encouraging people to return to the office.
Firms needed to know what the end of Covid restrictions would mean in practice, more than 50 leaders said in a letter to PM Boris Johnson. The letter, organised by lobby group London First, said firms expected city centres to “buzz again” after 19 July. Working from home should no longer be the default, they said.
“Our economic recovery will only succeed if the government commits to reviving our city centres,” they added. Those signing the letter included Heathrow and Gatwick airport chief executives John Holland-Kaye and Stewart Wingate, Capita chief executive Jon Lewis and BT boss Philip Jansen.
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme statistics: 1 July 2021
Time series and statistics as at 31 May 2021 on the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, with analysis by scheme size, sector, geography, age, gender and flexible furlough.
Check if you need to change your Self Assessment return for SEISS
Find out when you may need to make a change to your Self-Assessment tax return for SEISS payments, and how to do it.
Equality analysis for the Kickstart Scheme
This analysis enables ministers to fulfil the requirements placed on them by the Public Sector Equality Duty as set out in section 149 of the Equality Act 2010.
COMMUNITY:
COVID-19 vaccination: what to expect after vaccination
Information for people who have had their first COVID-19 vaccination – updated Details section as version 5 of the leaflet is now available to order.
Private providers of coronavirus (COVID-19) testing
Lists of and information about private providers who have self-declared that they meet the government’s minimum standards for the type of commercial COVID-19 testing service they offer.
CONSTRUCTION:
John Lewis plans to build 10,000 rental homes
The department store chain said it wanted to address the national housing shortage and support local communities. It said the plans would give the firm a stable, long-term income, as well as providing new job opportunities. Tenants will have the choice of renting fully furnished with John Lewis products or using their own. The company said that 7,000 of the homes would be on sites within their existing property portfolio
HEALTH & WELLBEING:
UK exceeds 600,000 COVID-19 tests genomically sequenced
Genomic sequencing has made a crucial contribution to the fight against the virus by rapidly identifying variants of concern, understanding transmission and slowing their spread.
PROPERTY:
Why the end of Stamp Duty holiday is good for the market
Introducing a stamp duty holiday at the height of the pandemic was commendable but it has overstayed its welcome, says Tom Bill, head of UK residential research at Knight Frank. “With the benefit of hindsight, the stamp duty holiday was unnecessary. The Chancellor was right to introduce it last July but the notion it is needed to support the country’s economic recovery has not rung true for many months – which is a welcome development. Would activity in the housing market have been as strong over the last year without the holiday? It is doubtful but we would still be talking about a remarkable year compared to initial expectations.’
RETAIL:
Morrisons poised for bidding war after board accept £6.3bn takeover
Morrisons is poised for a bidding war after its board accepted a £6.3bn takeover offer, with other investment firms weighing up offers for the supermarket giant. Shares climbed this morning in response to the news. Oppidum Bidco, a newly formed company indirectly owned by funds managed or advised by affiliates of Fortress Investment Group, has reached agreement with the Morrisons board on the terms of a recommended all cash offer. Morrisons shareholders will be entitled to receive 254 pence for each share, with the deal valuing the company at £6.3bn.
The supermarket also intends to declare a special dividend of 2 pence per share, subject to completion of the deal.
TRAVEL:
Booking and staying in a quarantine hotel if you’ve been in a red list country
How to book a quarantine hotel and coronavirus (COVID-19) tests if you’ve been in a red list country in the 10 days before you arrive in England – updated the contact email address you need to use to request an exemption allowing an unaccompanied child to travel to England alone if they’ve been in a red list country in the 10 days before arriving.
CORONAVIRUS GRANTS FOR BUSINESSES IN STOCKPORT:
Applications for the Economic Recovery Fund ARG Localities Grant closed 31st May
Discretionary Grants summary:
As at 01/07/2021
- Received: 2,911
- Processed: 2,911 (100%)
- Grants Funding Issued: £10,493,716
Restart Grants summary:
Grant allocation: £14,652,603
Number of businesses eligible: 1,816
Number received a grant: 1,738
Total value of payments made: £12,408,150
Stockport Council details of Government’s Restart Grant
The Restart Grant scheme supports businesses in the non-essential retail, hospitality, leisure, personal care and accommodation sectors with a one-off grant, to reopen safely as COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.
Applications closed on 30 June 2021
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 to June 21st
- 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.
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