UK STATISTICS
There have been more than 9 million confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK and sadly over 140,000 people have died, government figures show. More than 50 million people have now received a first dose of the vaccine, around 87% of people in the UK aged 12 and over. Around 79% have had their second and more than 15% have had a booster.
Total UK Cases: 9,301,909 positive tests
Latest UK daily figure: 30,305 new cases
Number in UK hospital: 9,160, 167 fewer than on previous day
New deaths across UK: 62
Total UK deaths: 141,805
England Cases per 100,000: 426
R number in UK: 1.1 to 1.3
Vaccine data:
Total 1st doses given: 50,234,416 – 87% of UK aged 12+
Total 2nd doses: 45,836,791 – 79%
Daily 1st doses: 35,405
Daily 2nd doses: 23,952
Daily Booster doses: 409,663 (10,062,704 total booster doses)
Latest Stockport data:
Total Stockport cases: 47,420 to 5 November
Cases in the latest week: 1,289, 172 fewer than previous week
Total deaths: 763 to October 22nd
Cases per 100,000: 438 per 100,000 week ending 1 November
Stockport vaccine data:
1st dose: 83% of over 12s to 3 November
2nd dose: 76%
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 5 November 2021.
UK NEWS UPDATES:
More than 10 million receive booster jab but more must follow
It is vital that people get their “lifesaving” booster jabs to ensure protection through the winter, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said.
So far more than 10 million people in the UK have had a top-up jab, which the PM said was “amazing”. But about 30% of over-80s and 40% of over-50s in England are yet to do so, according to government figures.
The health secretary said people should get their booster jabs to avoid restrictions over Christmas. NHS England is preparing to invite another three million people for their booster jabs next week. Some 409,663 people in the UK received their third vaccine dose on Saturday, official figures show. Booster jabs are available in the UK to anyone aged 50 and over, front-line health and social care workers and over-16s with some health conditions. They can get it six months – 182 days – after their second dose.
US opens borders to UK travellers for first time in nearly 2 years
UK visitors are now able to travel to the US for the first time in nearly two years.
The border reopened at 05:01 GMT and the first flights took off from Heathrow at 08:50. All UK visitors over 18 have to provide proof of vaccination to enter the US.
American travellers have been able to travel to the UK since 28 July. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has called this a “significant moment” for UK-US travel.
Transatlantic flights, he added, are “at the heart of UK aviation”. In addition to the UK, the travel ban is being lifted for people from Brazil, China, India, Ireland, South Africa, Iran and the Schengen countries – a group of 26 European nations.
REGIONAL & LOCAL NEWS:
Business recovery continues as employment continues to rise
North-West companies a sustained recovery in business activity in October while also increasing employment despite battling an unprecedented rise in costs in October, according to the latest Regional PMI data from NatWest. The headline North-West Business Activity Index – a seasonally-adjusted index that measures the month-on-month change in the combined output of the region’s manufacturing and service sectors – registered 55.3 in October, up from 54.9 in September. Moving further above the 50.0 no-change mark, the index signalled a solid and accelerated rate of growth, albeit one that was slower than the UK average (57.8), the bank added.
Stockport’s Director for Public Health urges take up of booster jab
Stockport Council’s Director of Public Health, Jennifer Connolly, has encouraged residents to accept when offered a booster dose of the Covid-19 vaccine.
In her weekly statement on the coronavirus pandemic, Jennifer Connolly echoed the concerns expressed by England’s Deputy Chief Medical Officer Jonathan Van-Tam that the virus, while currently most prevalent among school-aged children, was beginning to once again affect more at-risk, older age groups. Connolly revealed that there was evidence of this spread taking place in the borough – read more
Manchester to US – flights resume today
Direct flights have resumed from Manchester Airport to the US, offering the North a boost to transatlantic trade and tourism. Flights have restarted following an easing in travel restrictions, with the American government reopening its borders to British travellers. Prior the Covid-19 pandemic, more than three million passengers travelled stateside every year from Manchester Airport, making the Northern hub once of Europe’s best connected for flights to the US. Passengers on a Virgin Atlantic service from Manchester Airport to Orlando, Florida were the first to take advantage of the relaxation of travel rules, taking off at 10.10am on 8th November; they will be followed by the airline’s New York flight at 1.10pm, with routes to Atlanta and Houston resuming in the coming weeks.
Businesses are invited to take part in a short 10-15 minute online survey to share their views on doing business in Stockport as part of the preparation for developing the plan. The survey will run for approximately two weeks, but may be extended to gather additional responses, and can be accessed here.
Stepping Hill Hospital suspends in-patient visisting due to rise in cases of Covid
Routine hospital visiting has been suspended for a minimum of two weeks. Some visits, pre-arranged with nursing staff, may be allowed on a case-by-case basis on compassionate grounds. For patients and any allowed visitors, face coverings also remain mandatory.Have your say on Greater Manchester’s Police and Crime Plan priorities
Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) has launched a public consultation on the next Greater Manchester Police and Crime Plan, which will set the direction for policing and community safety across the city-region for the next three years.
SECTOR SPECIFIC CORONAVIRUS-RELATED NEWS:
CARE:
Coronavirus (COVID-19): providing home care
Information for those providing personal care to people living in their own home during the coronavirus outbreak – updated to reflect the latest clinical advice from UKHSA. Refer to the summary table in the guidance for a full breakdown of all the guidance updates.
Restricting workforce movement between care homes and other care settings
Guidance for care home providers on limiting staff movement between settings in all but exceptional circumstances to help reduce the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) infection.
COMMUNITY:
Coronavirus: how to stay safe and help prevent the spread
Find out how to stay safe and help prevent the spread of coronavirus – latest easy read document added to this page to reflect beyond step 4.
COVID-19 vaccination: easy-read leaflets
Easy-read guides providing information on coronavirus (COVID-19) and vaccination – Added Easy-read guide to the COVID-19 booster vaccination.
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.
CONSTRUCTION:
Steel prices jump for seventh time this year
The £30 per tonne increase is the seventh this year and was introduced with immediate effect. The producer also warned that it would be reducing output at both its UK steel section mills while steel production costs remained high. The decision will turn the screw on the industry, which has experienced over 18 months of sharp price increases. The latest curbs on production threaten a move to allocations.
HEALTH & WELLBEING:
Government invests £248m in NHS technology
The NHS will receive £248m over the next year to invest in technology to help provide faster diagnoses, earlier treatment and reduce waiting lists. Diagnostics services across the NHS will be digitalised using the latest technology to improve the way tests, images and results can be shared across computer systems in hospitals, labs and GP surgeries. The investment aims to help nurses, doctors and other clinicians caring for a patient access results more quickly and easily, even if they are working from different settings. The new technology will also allow imaging specialists – the experts analysing a scan or x-ray and providing a diagnosis – to review high-res images remotely without needing to be in an imaging lab, 24 hours a day. The funding will also provide a new tool to help GPs and other clinicians choose the most suitable scan for their patient based on the patient’s symptoms and medical history.
JUDICIARY:
Coronavirus (COVID-19): courts and tribunals guidance
This page provides advice and guidance for all court and tribunal users during the COVID-19 pandemic and will be updated when new advice is available.
PROPERTY:
Another house price record as market stays buoyant
Annual house price growth increased to 8.1 per cent in October according to the Halifax. The average UK property price is now a record £270,027 after monthly growth of 0.9 per cent. All regions are in positive territory but London remains by far the weakest performing area with annual inflation of just 0.8 per cent – its lowest for over 18 months.
RETAIL:
North-West jeweller commercially stronger than pre-Covid
Historic family-owned jewellery giant Beaverbrooks is “both culturally and commercially stronger than ever before” after it finances withstood the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. The Lytham St Annes-headquartered business has reported a turnover of £123.1m for the 12 months to February 27, 2021, down from £143.2m in the prior year. Its pre-tax profits also dipped slightly from £10.7m to £10m over the same period.
TRANSPORT:
Haulier advice site locations
Find sites where HGV and coach drivers can get free COVID-19 tests and check their documents to transport goods to the EU – normal service resumed at Essex Arena and Thurrock Services.
TRAVEL:
Test to Release for international travel: minimum standards for testing
Sets out the minimum standards that private sector providers of COVID-19 testing for ‘Test to Release for international travel’ must meet – updated to reflect the requirements coming into force on 12 November 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.
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.
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