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UK NEWS UPDATES:
Councils key to success of vaccine uptake one year on
A year on from the first public dose of a COVID-19 vaccine in the UK, the Local Government Association is thanking councils for their role in supporting the roll-out of the vaccine. The first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine was administered to 90-year old Margaret Keenan who received a dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine on December 8, 2020. Since then, more than 118 million doses of the vaccine – including the new booster shot, have been administered in the UK, with the roll-out supported by local authorities who have and continue to play a fundamental role alongside the NHS in keeping residents informed and supporting them to attend appointments.
UK marks one year since deploying world’s first COVID-19 vaccine
Vaccination programme has been a phenomenal success with almost 120 million doses administered, saving countless lives and reducing pressure on the NHS
WHO: Vaccines should work against Omicron
Although lab tests suggest the Omicron variant can partially evade the Pfizer jab, the World Health Organization says existing vaccines should still protect people from severe Covid as a result of the new strain. Initial data indicates Omicron doesn’t make anyone sicker than previous variants, according to emergencies director Dr Mike Ryan, and there’s no sign it would be better at evading vaccines than the others like Delta. “We have highly effective vaccines that have proved effective against all the variants so far, in terms of severe disease and hospitalisation, and there’s no reason to expect that it wouldn’t be so” for Omicron, adds Dr Ryan as researchers say there was a “very large drop” in how well the Pfizer jab’s antibodies neutralised this strain. The first lab tests come after early signs suggest the variant could be more transmissible than the current Delta strain, according to Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s spokesman, but its ability to cause severe disease is not yet clear. The picture will become clearer in the coming weeks, says our health editor Michelle Roberts, as we gather more data from around the world on how many people are catching Omicron, how sick they are getting and whether they were vaccinated or not.
GOV & BBC UK daily data:
There have been 10.5 million confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK and more than 145,000 people have died, government figures show. Over 51 million people have now received a first dose of the vaccine, 89% of people in the UK aged 12 and over. 81% have had their second and 36% have had a booster.
Total UK Cases: 10,560,341 positive tests
Latest UK daily figure: 45,691 new cases
Number in UK hospital: 7,317, 94 more than on previous day
New deaths across UK: 180
Total UK deaths: 145,826
England Cases per 100,000: 505
R number in UK: 0.9 to 1.1
Vaccine data:
Total 1st doses given: 51,138,245 – 89% of UK aged 12+
Total 2nd doses: 81%
Daily 1st doses: 19,979
Daily 2nd doses: 25,012
Daily Booster doses: 329,165
REGIONAL & LOCAL NEWS:
Plans approved to house Central Library in the town centre
Stockport Council has approved plans to put a new 21st Century library at the heart of a new £14.5m, government funded development in Merseyway with the aim of bringing thousands of visitors back to Stockport. This decision will transform Stockport town centre to help the town overcome the economic devastation felt by high streets across Britain by the impact of Covid-19. It will alsoimprove the lives and educational prospects of tens of thousands of children across Stockport as well as 11,000 adults across the borough who either cannot read or can barely read.
The decision means that Stockport’s town centre library services will move from the current Central Library building on the A6 into Stockroom, a new £14.5 million learning and discovery space funded by the Government’s Future High Streets Fund (FHSF).
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: 274
Applications allocated: 33%
Value of Grants issued: £236,500
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%
Latest Stockport coronavirus data:
Total Stockport cases: 52,373 to 7 December
Cases in the latest week: 1,254, 134 more than previous week
Total deaths: 795 to November 26th
Cases per 100,000: 426 per 100,000 week ending 3 December
Stockport vaccine data:
1st dose: 84% of over 12s to 2 December
2nd dose: 78%
3rd / booster dose: 38%
The R value and growth rate
The R range for England is 0.9 to 1.1 and the growth rate range for England is -1% to +2% per day as of 3 December 2021.
SECTOR SPECIFIC CORONAVIRUS-RELATED NEWS:
BUSINESS & ECONOMY:
Working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19)
Find out how to reduce the risk of COVID-19 spreading in your workplace – Hotels and guest accommodation – Updated to reflect new measures on self-isolation, testing after international travel, and face coverings, put in place as a precaution because of the spread of the Omicron variant (B.1.1.529). Changes made to the sections on priority actions, self-isolation, face coverings, testing and vaccination, guests who need to self-isolate, and guests who are quarantining after international travel.
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.
Face coverings: when to wear one, exemptions, and how to make one
This page explains when to wear a face covering, exemptions from wearing one, and how to make your own face covering – updated to remove reference to workplace risk assessments.
Coronavirus (COVID-19): Wedding and civil partnership ceremonies, receptions and celebrations
Guidance for couples planning to get married or form a civil partnership in England, and venues hosting these events – information added on new measures introduced in response to the Omicron variant.
CONSTRUCTION:
Pandemic detonates workforce age timebomb
The pandemic has triggered an exodus of experienced construction workers from the core 45-55 age group. Trade bodies warn the plunge in numbers of experienced skilled workers mainly from this key age profile now threatens the industry’s ability to deliver the Government’s bedrock build back better plan. Fresh research into official employment figures reveals a serious structural change in the workforce’s largest age group, which employers are heavily reliant upon to deliver major infrastructure, new housing and future green retrofit projects. According to findings compiled by the Construction Products Association, 223,000 workers have vanished from industry over two years since summer 2019.
EDUCATION:
School attendance: guidance for schools
Covers registers and attendance codes (including circumstances due to coronavirus (COVID-19)), school hours and term dates and improving school attendance – updated ‘Addendum: recording attendance in relation to coronavirus (COVID-19) during the 2021 to 2022 academic year’, section ‘Pupils who are a close contact of someone who has symptoms or confirmed COVID-19’.
HEALTH & WELLBEING:
COVID-19 vaccination programme
Documents relating to the new coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination programme – added UK vaccine response to the Omicron variant: JCVI advice and link to updated COVID-19 vaccination training slide set.
Myocarditis and pericarditis after COVID-19 vaccination
Guidance on myocarditis and pericarditis after COVID-19 vaccination for healthcare professionals.
National protocol for Comirnaty® COVID-19 mRNA vaccine
This protocol is for the administration of Comirnaty® COVID-19 mRNA vaccine to individuals in accordance with the national COVID-19 vaccination programme.
NHS Test and Trace: how we test your samples
An overview of the largest diagnostic network in British history, including what happens after you submit your sample and how laboratories process your test.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Infection Survey, antibody and vaccination data, UK: 8 December 2021
Antibody and vaccination data by UK country and regions in England from the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Infection Survey. This analysis has been produced in partnership with University of Oxford, University of Manchester, UK Health Security Agency and Wellcome Trust. This study is jointly led by the ONS and the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) working with the University of Oxford and Lighthouse Laboratories to collect and test samples.
PROPERTY:
Law Society: All agents should be offered flexible working from day one
Estate agents, and indeed all professionals, should be offered the option of flexible working when they are appointed to the job. That’s the view of the Law Society of England and Wales in its response to a consultation from the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy. Since 2014, all employees have had the right to request a flexible working arrangement – covering work location, working hours and work pattern – but only after being in their role for 26 weeks.
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 and developing faster indicators of transport activity
To monitor the use of the transport system during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. DfT provides statistics on transport use by mode.
TRAVEL:
Data informing international travel risk assessments
Summaries to date of the key data used by the Joint Biosecurity Centre (JBC) to inform international travel risk assessments.
Covid-19 Webinars:
ACAS – run a series of courses to help businesses with transition from lockdown
Brexit Webinars:
Exporting: Actions you need to take now: An overview of the actions you need to take now before you export goods from Great Britain to the EU and move goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Key processes include – staged border controls, zero-rated VAT, customs declaration, using an intermediary as well as licences, certificates, and authorisations. Please register to take part if you’re planning to export.
Trader responsibilities when using an intermediary: You now need to complete import or export declarations to trade goods with the EU. These are complex and a lot of businesses choose to use an intermediary to do these for them. This webinar explains your responsibilities as a trader if you choose to use an intermediary. Please register to take part if you’re planning to import or export.
What are customs import declarations?: If you import goods, you now need to make customs import declarations on controlled goods and all goods by the end of June. This webinar will help you understand what they are in more detail. This includes what is needed for simplified declarations, supplementary declarations, how to make them, and delayed import declarations. Please register to take part if you’re planning to import.
Importing: Staged controls and how to prepare to use them: This webinar will walk you through the three stages of the new border controls introduced on 1?? ?January?? ?2021, and what actions you need to take for each stage. Please register to take part if you’re planning to import.
LATEST LINKS:
Repayment period for Bounce Back Loans extended to ten years
Businesses that took out government Bounce Back loans to help them through the Coronavirus crisis now have more time to repay. Companies will be contacted with options to extend the length of the loan from six to 10 years as part of a new ‘pay-as-you-grow’ initiative. The new proposals give businesses three new options:
1. Extending the length of the loan from six years to 10;
2. Making interest-only payments for six months, then repaying the principal on a phased basis with other interest-only periods;
3. Delaying repayments entirely for up to six months.
Financial support for businesses during coronavirus (COVID-19)
Pay VAT deferred due to coronavirus (COVID-19)
Find out how to pay VAT payments deferred between 20 March and 30 June 2020.
Report an outbreak of Coronavirus in Stockport:
https://www.stockport.gov.uk/coronavirus-in-stockport/report-a-coronavirus-outbreak
Home workers can claim £26 tax relief for job expenses
If you’ve asked your employees to work from home, and you’ve not reimbursed them already, your employees may be entitled to claim tax relief on additional household expenses they’ve incurred, such as heating and lighting.
New hotline launched to report COVID fraudsters
A new hotline has been launched to stop fraudsters illegally targeting COVID stimulus schemes.
If you would like to register your interest in creating one or more Kickstart Job, please complete the Kickstart Employer Enquiry Form and a member of the Council’s Kickstart Team will contact you to explain more.
Kickstart Scheme
The Kickstart Scheme provides funding to employers to create job placements for 16 to 24 year olds.
Kickstart Scheme terms and conditions
Kickstart Scheme terms and conditions for employers and gateways receiving the Kickstart Scheme grant from the Department for Work and Pensions.
Kickstart Scheme employer resources
If you’ve been offered Kickstart Scheme funding, you can use these resources to show your support for the scheme.
Kickstart Scheme employer contacts
List of regional contacts for employers applying for a grant through the Kickstart Scheme.
Apply for a Kickstart Scheme grant: 30 or more job placements
If you are an employer looking to create 30 or more jobs placements for young people, apply for funding as part of the Kickstart Scheme.
Apply for a Kickstart Scheme grant: 29 or less job placements
If you are an employer looking to create 29 or less jobs placements for young people, apply for funding as part of the Kickstart Scheme.
Visit the Stockport Council website to report details of any outbreaks online.
https://www.stockport.gov.uk/coronavirus-in-stockport/report-a-coronavirus-outbreak
Opening times for Stockport Council Coronavirus Helpline
The helpline for vulnerable people across Stockport can now be accessed through new opening times by calling 0161 217 6046:
• Monday – Thursday from 9am to 5pm
• Friday from 9am to 4.30pm
• Saturdays from 10am to 1pm
At busy times, residents are automatically offered a call-back from one of our call handlers.
New tools and resources available from Acas:
Redundancy letter templates
Redundancy process map
Acas have also contributed to the development of a new return to work toolkit in partnership with SOM, CIPD, BITC and Mind.
Business Support in Stockport – a centre pool of information to support business owners in Stockport:
www.skbusinessrecovery.co.uk
Government – Guidance on Returning to Work safely
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19
Stockport Council’s FREE job matching website helps support employers with vacancies and individuals across the Stockport borough who are looking for work. The service, Stockport Jobs Match, will help to connect employers who have urgent temporary or permanent vacancies with applicants who are immediately available and in need of employment. The website also helps signpost individuals to available support services and information. www.stockport-jobsmatch.co.uk
Stockport Council – Health & Mental Well-being https://www.stockport.gov.uk/showcase/coronavirus
Government – Financial Support
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme – online claims portal open
Government – Business Support:
Government launches new coronavirus business support finder tool
Government – Business Support Hub:
https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus/business-support
Government – IT safety support:
Government Warnings Over Coronavirus Scams – Here’s How to Protect Yourself
Government – Financial Support:
HMRC has published guidance on how it will work out income and profits for the self-employed or those in a partnership who have lost profits due to coronavirus.
Government – Business Support: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19
Government – Financial Support: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-on-business-support-grant-funding
Government – Business Support:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19/covid-19-support-for-businesses
Gov.uk: Maintaining Educational Provision: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-educational-provision/guidance-for-schools-colleges-and-local-authorities-on-maintaining-educational-provision
Business Growth Hub:
www.businessgrowthhub.com/coronavirus https://www.businessgrowthhub.com/coronavirus/resources/2020/03/coronavirus-business-support-webinar-series
Employment – Useful information for the Self-Employed:
News and Guidance for the self-employed:
Concerned how Coronavirus might impact you and your business?
Please get in touch with Enterprising You and you will be connected to someone who can help.
You can also access information and guidance including the latest Government updates via www.businessgrowthhub.com/coronavirus
Can you claim back Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay in the Rebate Scheme
From Tuesday 26 May 2020, small and medium-sized employers, with fewer than 250 employees, will be able to apply to recover the costs of paying coronavirus-related Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) payments they have made to their employees. Health updates:
Health – updates from NHS
https://www.england.nhs.uk/news/
Health – Dedicated helpline to support vulnerable residents in Stockport:
Support can be accessed by calling 0161 217 6046 Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm and Saturdays from 10am to 4pm.
Health – Dedicated health & wellbeing services:
24/7 mental health helpline & safe haven for anyone over the age of 18 in Stockport (0800 138 7276).
Health – An Emotional Wellbeing Hub which provides information, advice, and guidance for anyone up to the age of 25 for emotional wellbeing and mental health concerns. 0161 217 6028 – 8.30am-5pm Mon – Thurs 8.30am-4.30pm on Friday.
Community – Guidance for businesses seeking to help voluntary, community, and social enterprise organisations during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
How businesses can offer services, funds and volunteers to civil society during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Find out more information here.
Stockport park unveils tribute to young community hero 
Research finds Covid-19 has not fundamentally changed the UK labour market 
Government sets out ‘Living with COVID’ next steps from 1st April