Latest data:
Testing: 302,559 people have now been tested for the virus (232,708)
New UK Cases: 93,873 have tested positive, + 5,252 on previous day
Loss of life: Sadly, of those in hospital, 12,107 people have died, an increase of 778 on the previous day (11,329)
In Stockport: there are 464 cases of Covid-19 (429 on previous day) and sadly 58 people have died.
Government Daily Briefing:
14th April by Chancellor Rishi Sunak
- Regarding the economic impact of Covid-19 on the UK, OBR’s figures indicate the economy is expected to shrink by 35% by June but will ‘bounce back’
- It remains a priority to protect the health of people
- Covid-19 has been recorded at over 2,000 care homes
The Chancellor referred to a report by the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) out today, but he said this is not a forecast or a prediction. He added that it refers to one scenario but it was not possible to know if this would be the likely scenario for the UK economy. He accepted however that the economic impact of the lockdown would be significant.
Professor Stephen Powis presented the latest official graphs tracking the virus and monitoring transport use, hospital admissions and deaths but the figures do not include fatalities outside of hospital and in care homes. Health Secretary Matt Hancock is expected to make an announcement on social care later today.
Slides from today’s briefing
LOCAL / REGIONAL NEWS:
Helpline has supported over 1,200 vulnerable residents in Stockport
Since the Council launched the dedicated coronavirus helpline last week over 1,200 of the most vulnerable people in the Borough have been offered support and advice.
The helpline was set up for those residents who do not have a network of family and friends they can call upon, particularly for people who:
- are over the age of 70 and are self-isolating
- have received a letter from the NHS advising you are high risk and should stay at home
- are medically vulnerable according to the government criteria and should stay at home
- are experiencing food poverty or financial hardship
- are self-isolating due to illness
A wide range of support has been given over the past week including help with access to food, shopping and medication, help with finances and support available for those who are experiencing loneliness.Support can be accessed by calling 0161 217 6046 Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm and Saturdays from 10am to 4pm. At busy times, residents are automatically offered a call-back from one of our call handlers.
Three new emotional wellbeing and mental health services launched for Stockport residents
Stockport Council and Stockport NHS Clinical Commissioning Group have launched three new emotional health and wellbeing services at a particularly stressful and isolating time during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- www.bigwhitewall.com The Big White Wall offers 24/7 anonymous support via a digital emotional wellbeing and mental health service, offering peer support for anyone over the age of 16, support from trained clinicians alongside a range of helpful tools and resources.
- The establishment of the new 24/7 mental health helpline and (currently virtual) safe haven for anyone over the age of 18 in Stockport (0800 138 7276), commissioned by Stockport NHS CCG and provided by the charity Making Space;
- 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. Access to this is through the Multi-Agency Safeguarding and Support Hub (MASSH) – 0161 217 6028 – 8.30am-5pm Mon – Thurs 8.30am-4.30pm on Friday.
Stockport Homes Update for Partners
Stockport Homes have issued an assurance that they are continuing to deliver services, admittedly many in different ways during the coronavirus outbreak.
They have issued a dedicated page on their website for partners which will be updated regularly – www.stockporthomes.org – as they continue to deliver essential services as well as support for vulnerable customers.
EMPLOYERS / BUSINESSES / FINANCE
Stockport businesses grant funding payments:
Stockport Council have been working tirelessly to distribute the Covid-19 grants to local businesses for either £10,000 or £25,000.
Since 2nd April, they have issued a total of £34,375,000 across 2,899 qualifying businesses, 53% of those identified as eligible as at 11/03/2020.
The priority is to continue to swiftly process all outstanding applications and to begin to contact those businesses who have not yet had a grant processed via email/letter and will be pushing the message out across social media comms. Those who have already submitted a form but not heard anything to go on-line are encouraged to re-submit their information so that the straight forward ones will automate. Applicants will be advised at the point of submission if a grant has already been awarded for that account.
Many of the forms outstanding need to be manually processed, where more business rates knowledge is required or there are liability issues that need to be resolved.
The Council have come across many instances where businesses say they have been misadvised about Business Rates by their Landlords at the point they took on the lease.
If your business qualifies for a grant, please complete the application form here: https://www.stockport.gov.uk/support-for-businesses-and-employers
There is also additional guidance for people who don’t know their Business rates account number at https://www.stockport.gov.uk/support-for-businesses-and-employers/small-business-grant-funding-coronavirus
If you have any queries please email business.rates@stockport.gov.uk
Further useful advice and guidance on grant funding:
Government Guide to accessing grant funding
Covid-19 Business Grant Funding Documentation
HMRC will assess your eligibility for the grant based on your total income and trading profits. This guide details how we do this. You can also use this guide to find out if you’re eligible and how much you may get.
A more buoyant week for financial markets
A bumper week for global stock markets was driven by a fall in the rate of new COVID-19 (or coronavirus) cases, as well as ongoing support from central banks and governments. Thoughts are now rather optimistically turning to an eventual endpoint for lockdown conditions.
This includes for the NHS and local authorities, with almost £2bn allocated to the devolved administrations.
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.
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
FCA: insurance firms must act quickly to support SMEs during COVID-19 disruption
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has today warned insurance firms to ensure they act quickly to process business claims relating to COVID-19.
Webinars and videos from HMRC are now available, advising businesses on how to deal with the economic impacts of coronavirus, and how to access support.
ACAS runs a series of webinars on employment law and employment relations
Covid-19 Business Grant Funding Documentation
HEALTH:
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.
MHRA guidance on coronavirus (COVID-19)
Guidance: Added link to statement: Commission on Human Medicines advice on ibuprofen and coronavirus (COVID-19) in the ‘Medicines and COVID-19’ section
Commission on Human Medicines advice on ibuprofen and coronavirus (COVID-19)
Expert Working Group concludes there is currently insufficient evidence to establish a link between use of ibuprofen and susceptibility to contracting COVID-19 or the worsening of its symptoms.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) information leaflet
Easy read versions leaflet in Welsh and English on what to do to help stop the spread of coronavirus, including information on symptoms and government support.
Government to offer testing for “everyone who needs one” in social care settings
All care home residents and social care staff with coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms will be tested as capacity is built up, the government is announcing today.
The 3-strand plan launched today – guidance, distribution, and future supply – will provide clear guidance on who needs PPE and when they need it, ensure those who need it can get it at the right time and set out action to secure enough PPE to last through the crisis. A full, 24/7 military operation is already underway to deal with the unprecedented, global demand for PPE as a result of this pandemic. A new national supply and logistics network has been created from scratch in a matter of weeks to manage supply and demand across the UK, and to make sure appropriate PPE reaches those who need it.
Specification for ventilators to be used in UK hospitals during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
This guidance sets out the clinical requirements based on the consensus of what is ‘minimally acceptable’ performance in the opinion of the anaesthesia and intensive care medicine professionals and medical device regulators.
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:
Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance for schools and other educational settings
Added a link to ‘Admission appeals for school places’ which contains guidance on the coronavirus (COVID-19) impact on school admission appeals within guidance and advice about coronavirus (COVID-19) in educational settings for staff, parents and carers, pupils and students.
Adoptive families will be offered emergency support including online counselling and couples therapy as the Government expands the scope of the Adoption Support Fund to meet needs arising from the outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19).
TRANSPORT / TRAVEL:
Annual inspection waiver for tank vehicles
Revision to include clarification from revision 2 on notice allowing tank vehicles, with extended roadworthiness test certificates, to remain in service and on our roads without a valid ADR 1(C) certificate.
CONSTRUCTION:
Fresh site rules where 2m distancing cannot be obeyed
Version 3 of the industry’s site operating procedures allows closer than 2m working in special circumstances that are essential to project delivery.
The new Construction Leadership Council guidance recommends that where close working cannot be avoided it should be limited to less than 15 minutes and workers should be side by side rather than face to face.
EMPLOYMENT:
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. www.stockport-jobsmatch.co.uk
RETAIL:
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
MARKETING, COMMS, DIGITAL:
Updates include the harsh realities of the pandemic as well as looking at new ways companies are finding of thriving, a new programme of virtual training and bespoke events as well as a more ‘light-hearted’ look at how people are using their time.
PROPERTY:
Survey offers detailed picture of Covid-19’s impact on rent collection
Less than half the rent due on rent quarter day was paid on the day, according to a survey of rent collection levels across more than 18,350 properties compiled by Remit Consulting using data from leading property managers and shared exclusively with Property Week. The survey offers the most detailed picture yet of the impact of the coronavirus outbreak on rent collection.
Just 48% of rent due was paid on rent quarter day, increasing to 57% seven days later. The equivalent figures for last year were 79% and 90%, according Remit’s 2019 REMark report.
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
New Greek Street bridge beams installed in just four days 
Stockport NHS finalists for ‘Chefs of the Year’ 
Stockport manufacturer expands premises