Latest data:
Testing: 232,708 people have now been tested for the virus (213,181)
New UK Cases: 88,621 have tested positive, + 4,342 on previous day
Loss of life: Sadly, of those in hospital, 11,329 people have died, an increase of 717 on the previous day (10,612)
In Stockport: there are 464 cases of Covid-19 (429 on previous day) and sadly 58 people have died.
Government media call daily briefings
Friday 10th April:
Slides and datasets to accompany coronavirus press conference: 10 April 2020
Press conference slides and datasets used by Professor Jonathan Van-Tam.
Saturday 11th April:
Home Secretary outlines support for domestic abuse victims
Home Secretary Priti Patel announces support for domestic abuse victims at daily Government press conference.
Sunday 12th April:
The latest number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases and risk level in the UK.
As of 9am on 12 April, 350,575 tests have concluded, with 18,000 tests carried out on 11 April. 282,374 people have been tested, of whom 84,279 tested positive.
As of 5pm on 11 April, of those hospitalised in the UK who tested positive for coronavirus, 10,621 have died. The UK became the fifth country to surpass 10,000 deaths on Sunday, joining the US, Spain, Italy and France.
UK leads global fight to prevent second wave of coronavirus
Today’s announcement of support to UK charities and international organisations will make the UK one of the biggest donors to the global response
Slides and datasets to accompany coronavirus press conference: 12 April 2020
Press conference slides and datasets used by Dr Yvonne Doyll
Monday 13th April:
Dominic Raab led the Government briefing:
- Government advisers to meet tomorrow – Tuesday 14th April – to review the spread of Covid-19 and to assess the effectiveness of the current lockdown
- Unlikely to be any changes to restrictions anytime soon
- Country still not past the peak of the virus
- Re-assessing the use of masks for the public in outdoor situations
Foreign Secretary’s statement on coronavirus (COVID-19): 13 April 2020
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab 13 April 2020 daily press briefing on the government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Chancellor provides over £14 billion for our NHS and vital public services
More than £14 billion from the Coronavirus emergency response fund will go towards public services, including the NHS and local authorities involved in the fight against Coronavirus, HM Treasury confirms today (Monday 13 April 2020).
LOCAL / REGIONAL NEWS:
The Greater Manchester LEP, working with the Growth Company, has unlocked an initial £3m package of urgently needed financial support for Greater Manchester businesses battling the impact of coronavirus.
And private sector investors were today urged to further boost the funding support available to struggling businesses in the region, working alongside the public sector to protect jobs.
Stockport Council Coronavirus pages for Health and Wellbeing
These pages include helpful links to mental wellbeing resources and support, both locally and nationally including updates. The generic SMBC Coronavirus pages are here: https://www.stockport.gov.uk/showcase/coronavirus
Can you donate a bike to Stepping Hill Hospital?
We are looking to supply and support our NHS staff and Volunteers Heroes to quickly access bikes to commute to and from work in partnership with Transport for Greater Manchester
CAN YOU HELP? we need donated bikes to service and pass on to Stepping Hill Hospital. Collections can be arranged. All bikes donated will be re- donated direct to NHS Staff once serviced and made road worthy by us
EMPLOYERS / BUSINESSES / FINANCE
A new Coronavirus Business Support Hub is now available at gov.uk/business-support
The hub brings together key information for businesses including on funding and support, business closures, your responsibilities as an employer and managing your business during coronavirus. The hub also includes information for self-employed people and sole traders.
Temporary changes to the Statutory Residence Test
The Chancellor of the Exchequer has proposed a change to the tax legislation to allow highly skilled individuals from across the world to come to the UK and help us respond to this unprecedented health emergency. The Statutory Residence Test (SRT) will be amended to ensure that any period(s) between 1 March and 1 June 2020 spent in the UK by individuals working on COVID-19 related activities will not count towards residence tests that potentially bring global earnings within the purview of UK taxation. These changes are time limited and will only support those people whose skillsets are currently required.
HMRC – Making make a claim under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.
If you’re eligible for the scheme, there are things that you can do now to be ready when the system is up and running later this month. HMRC are hoping that the portal will be operational from 20th April with the first round of payments paid to employers by 30th April.
You’ll need to provide the following to make a claim:
- The bank account number and sort code you’d like us to use when we pay your claim.
- The name and phone number of the person in your business for us to call with any questions.
- Your Self-Assessment UTR (Unique Tax Reference), Company UTR or CRN (Company Registration Number).
- The name, employee number and National Insurance number for each of your furloughed employees.
- The total amount being claimed for all employees and the total furlough period.
If you use an agent who is authorised to act for you for PAYE purposes, they will be able to make a claim on your behalf, so please speak to them now.
However, if you use a file-only agent (files your RTI return but doesn’t act for you in other matters), they won’t be able to make a claim for you and you’ll need the information listed above from them to make the claim yourself.
For more detailed advice, please visit GOV.UK. This guidance is being regularly updated, so please review it frequently.
You may also find this recorded webinar helpful, ‘Coronavirus (COVID-19) Job Retention Scheme‘, available on HMRC’s YouTube channel.
Request for Business Intelligence and Assistance
How could your business might help with the response to coronavirus? Use the Government’s online service
Share the impact coronavirus is having on your organisation
The Government would like to know how the outbreak is affecting your business. Commercially sensitive information will be treated accordingly. Please send your intelligence to intel@beis.gov.uk
Bank of England: Financial Policy Committee statement
The Financial Policy Committee (FPC) met to review developments in the financial system related to the outbreak and spread of Covid-19 (Coronavirus).
MHRA guidance on coronavirus (COVID-19)
Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Authority – MHRA – added link to new guidance on Approval of GxP documents when working from home during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, in the ‘Inspections and good practice’ section.
Leading through the unknown – a webinar series from Grant ThorntonWednesday 15 April, 11.00am to12.00pm. Weekly webinars leading your business through the unknown – assess, protect and restore – providing practical steps to support your thinking around potential business impacts, questions to consider and associated practical actions in order to protect reputation and preserve value.
Reminder – Stockport businesses grant funding payments:
Covid-19: 2 business grant funding schemes are available:
1. a small business grant funding of £10,000 for all businesses in receipt of small business rate relief
2. grant funding of £25,000 for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses with property where the rateable value is between £15,001 and £50,999
If your business qualifies for a grant, please complete the application form here: https://www.stockport.gov.uk/support-for-businesses-and-employers
If the information entered is incomplete or incorrect, the system generates a form and sends it out to businesses – it is important that businesses respond to these forms quickly to avoid delay in any payments they may be eligible for.
The grant funds, designed to assist qualifying Stockport businesses affected by the Covid-19 crisis, will be available for businesses to access as soon as the monies have cleared their bank accounts which may vary according to the bank provider.
A further software update is being applied to enable SMBC to start to target people who are yet to apply and encourage those who have applied but are still waiting to resubmit. Refilling in the form now will automatically show if the application has been processed or not and if not it will auto process and the grant be issued by BACs overnight.
There is also additional guidance for people who don’t know their Business rates account number
Stockport Council understand how hard this crisis is affecting businesses and would like to assure those who qualify for the grants that they are working hard to process the payments as quickly as possible and appreciate your patience and understanding.
Since 2nd April, Stockport Council have actioned 2,749 grant applications totalling more than £32.5m
If you have any queries please email business.rates@stockport.gov.uk
Further useful advice and guidance
Government Guide to accessing grant funding
Covid-19 Business Grant Funding Documentation
Access an easy to follow guide on who is eligible for grant funding and how to access funding grant
Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance on business support grant funding
Guidance for local authorities setting out details of the Small Business Grants Fund (SBGF) and Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund (RHLGF). Version 3 published with updates on State Aid, monitoring and reporting requirements, new annexes on state aid, Spotlight, and post payment checks, clarification of eligibility of charities.
COVID-19: guidance for employees, employers and businesses
Updated guidance for employers and businesses on coronavirus and guidance for employees, employers and businesses in providing advice about the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
HEALTH:
The NHS Nightingale in Manchester opens to patients
The Manchester Central Convention Complex, latterly G-Mex, has been transformed into a huge field hospital on stand-by to accommodate hundreds of coronavirus patients.
Mental Health Advice for employers and employees
There is also a helpful resource on finance, housing and unemployment worries from the same source https://mentalhealth.org.uk/coronavirus/finance-housing-debt-money-unemployment-worries
Government sets out plan for national effort on PPE
UK-wide plan announced to ensure personal protective equipment (PPE) gets to where it is needed most.
Coronavirus (COVID-19): personal protective equipment (PPE) plan
Cross-government UK-wide plan to ensure that critical personal protective equipment (PPE) is delivered to those on the frontline responding to coronavirus (COVID-19).
Covid-19 adoption support fund scheme to help vulnerable families
Up to £8 million in funding for adoptive families to meet needs arising from coronavirus outbreak
COVID-19: guidance for households with possible coronavirus infection
Stay at home guidance updated for households with possible coronavirus (COVID-19) infection.
Coronavirus (COVID-19): how organisations can support the testing programme
The government wants help from organisations with laboratory capability to increase the testing programme in the UK as part of its strategy to protect the NHS and save lives.
Health Secretary launches biggest diagnostic lab network in British history to test for coronavirus
Health Secretary Matt Hancock has officially opened the biggest diagnostic lab network in British history at the launch of a new a site in Milton Keynes.
Pharmaceutical companies working to produce millions of tests – The Department of Health and Social Care says that the country’s ‘top pharmaceutical and diagnostic companies’, such as AstraZeneca and GlaxoSmithKline, are working to develop and produce millions of coronavirus tests over the coming months.
NHSX launches plan to aid isolated – The Department of Health and Social Care has announced that NHSXis working with technology firms, including Facebook, to help the at-risk and isolated to access emotional support and companionship.
Prioritising the checking of medical equipment: The Home Office, HMRC, and the Border Force have announced that new procedures have been introduced to prioritise the checking of medical equipment, enabling the NHS to flag up critical supplies in advance.
NHS to benefit from £13.4 billion debt write-off
Health Secretary – over £13 billion of debt will be written off as part of a major financial reset for NHS providers, including regional breakdown of cancelled debt.
Coronavirus (COVID-19): ventilator supply specification
Under review – specification of rapidly manufactured ventilator systems needed as part of the response to coronavirus (COVID-19).
Former Olympics director leads work to protect clinically vulnerable people
Chris Townsend OBE appointed to lead the cross government shielding programme in England.
MHRA guidance on coronavirus (COVID-19)
Added a section on Medical Device Alerts (MDAs) related to coronavirus (COVID-19) for industry covering the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
Personal protective equipment (PPE) hub
A new hub containing guidance on personal protective equipment (PPE), and infection prevention and control (IPC) is now available, containing information for both health and social care settings and other workers and sectors.
The hub also links to the Cross-government UK-wide PPE plan to ensure that critical PPE is delivered to those on the frontline. This includes a new ‘Make’ strategy of encouraging UK manufacturers to produce PPE. We would welcome support from manufacturers who wish to offer their production facilities where they can meet the required specifications for use by the NHS and care sector. New offers can continue to be made via www.gov.uk/coronavirus-support-from-business.
EXPORT:
Notice to exporters 2020/09: Export Control Joint Unit updates guidance on compliance checks for open licences
Details of changes and further clarification on compliance checks for open licences (guidance in second document on this page).
Notice to exporters 2020/10: processing licence applications during coronavirus (COVID-19)
The Department for International Trade has revised arrangements for processing licence applications during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
COMMUNITY:
Greater Manchester Combined Authority – new website offers community support for residents
Greater Manchester partners are working to provide community support and advice to residents across GM who are struggling to access essential services
EDUCATION:
The Department for Education has published guidance on how school and college accountability and performance tables will work for 2019-2020.
As part of steps taken to fight the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), the Dof E have said they will not publish any school or college level educational performance data based on tests, assessments or exams for 2020. The guidance explains how school and college accountability will now operate for 2019 to 2020.
Awarding vocational and technical qualifications this summer
Calculated results for qualifications used for progression to higher and further education. Arrangements for other qualifications to be issued after Easter
Coronavirus (COVID-19): school closures
Updated information on mental health issues, educational staff from overseas, primary school place offers for April 2020, exclusion and the governing board’s duty to reinstate excluded pupils.
The Times: Schools could re-open in a matter of weeks
Schools could reopen in a few weeks as coronavirus restrictions begin to be lifted, Public Health England suggested this morning. Paul Cosford, the agency’s emeritus medical director, said that easing the lockdown for the young first was being considered as ministers look to set out an exit plan for the coming weeks.
TRANSPORT / TRAVEL:
India charter flights to return thousands more stranded Brits
Over 3,000 British travellers currently stranded in India will get home on an additional 12 charter flights which have opened for bookings today.
The Office for Rail and Road has updated its travel advice for rail passengers making essential journeys.
This page contains current coronavirus (COVID-19) advice for the railway industry, and a summary of their own working arrangements at the present time, including new information on ticket acceptance and refunds.
EMPLOYMENT:
The Chancellor has written to the chair of the Treasury Select Committee to outline temporary changes to the Statutory Residence Test (SRT) for those coming to the country to work on Covid-19 related activity.
The country is currently dealing with an unprecedented health crisis and the Government is taking action to welcome talent and expertise from across the world to help us to tackle Covid-19.
Stockport Jobs Match
Stockport Council has launched a FREE job matching website to help 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.
RETAIL:
Next re-opens warehouses for online shoppers
Having introduced additional safety measures, Next is to re-open it’s online store after closing for nearly three weeks
Boots Stockport store earmarked for temporary closure
Four North West Boots stores are set to close temporarily later this month as customer numbers fall in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak. Stockport Peel Centre’s staff are to be re-deployed to busier sites
How are you doing?
If you are a business owner in Stockport, Totally Stockport and Stockport Council are also keen to find out what your needs are at this difficult time so they can provide the most appropriate advice and support.
To help them understand more, visit www.bidsurvey.com and help them to help you.
Useful links:
Government – Business Support:
https://www.businesssupport.gov.uk/coronavirus-business-support/
Government – Business Support: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19
Government – Financial Support:
Government – Business Support:
Bank of England – Financial Support:
https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/news/2020/march/the-covid-corporate-financing-facility
Stockport Council Grant scheme:
https://www.stockport.gov.uk/business-rates-support-measures
Gov.uk: Maintaining Educational Provision:
UK Lockdown – Further businesses to close and exceptions:
Business Growth Hub:
www.businessgrowthhub.com/coronavirus
Food & Drink – advice and guidance:
Health – updates from NHS
https://www.england.nhs.uk/news/
Health – Shielding the most vulnerable
Travel:
https://media.northernrailway.co.uk/news/coronavirus-travel-information
Recruitment: – DWP and Universal Credit
Retail: An update form British Retail Consortium
https://brc.org.uk/news/corporate-affairs/coronavirus-latest-retailer-activity/
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
Stockport park unveils tribute to young community hero 
Last chance to get the winter Covid-19 booster 
Stockport hosts further pop-up Covid-19 vaccination clinics ahead of Christmas