Latest data:
Testing: 669,850 people have now been tested for the virus
UK Cases: 152,840 have tested positive, + 9,376 since Friday
In hospital: 15,953 are in hospital, down from 16,411 on previous day
Loss of life: In hospital, 20,732 people have died + 413 on previous day
In Stockport: There are 729 cases of Covid-19, + 30 over the weekend
Government Daily Briefings
Friday 24th – 26th April
- NHS: number of deaths and hospitalisation are reducing as result of social distancing and ‘tentative signs’ in progress in slowing the spread of the virus
- Current restrictions are unlikely to be revised prior to 7th May
- A tri-lateral commitment with France & Ireland to keep freight routes open; £17m to protect ferry routes with Northern Ireland and £10.5m for links with Isle of Wight and the Isles of Scilly
- 8,500 specialist volunteers across transport sector
- 9,000 vehicles to help national effort – aircraft, helicopters, ships and trains
- Greenlight for drones to trial delivery of medical supplies
- Funding to keep tram network operating
- 500,000 food parcels delivered to shielded group
- Supermarkets have increased number of home delivery slots to 2.6million
- Prime Minister has returned to Downing Street and to work
- No imminent changes will be made to the current lockdown restrictions
Secretary of State for Transport delivers daily coronavirus update (24 April 2020)
Slides and datasets to accompany coronavirus press conference: 24 April 2020
Environment Secretary’s statement on coronavirus (COVID-19): 26 April 2020
LOCAL / REGIONAL NEWS & UPDATES:
Statement from Leader of Stockport Council, Cllr Elise Wilson:
“I spoke last week about the importance of looking after our mental health in this current climate. Our physical health is also really important for our overall wellbeing, and this, in turn, can also have a positive impact on our mental health.
“Sport England are inviting everyone to ‘Join the Movement’ and keep moving with lots of useful tips on how to get active in and around the home. It also has its own online hub, giving access to a range of home workout options and things you can do outdoors while adhering to government restrictions. You can find out more here.
“Another great campaign that has just launched this week is Keep GM Moving which is encouraging more people to keep active at home during COVID-19. Follow the #KeepGMMoving hashtag on social media and find out more here.
“The 2.6 Challenge on Sunday raised money for UK charities – including Stockport charities. Lots of charities rely on sponsorship from mass events, so with the cancellation/postponement of them including the London Marathon, many will struggle to survive.
“Don’t forget to take part in the Greater Manchester wide survey on our exercise. This will give a really good insight into how we are adapting our exercise habits to the current situation and will also support those who are less active. I would like to thank you all for continuing to observe the social distancing restrictions and staying safe.”
pro-manchester to host webinar with Liverpool and Manchester Metro Mayors
pro-manchester and Professional Liverpool are joining forces with their respective regional Metro Mayors to talk about the impact on Covid-19 and what the cities are doing both independently and collectively to support businesses and tackle the challenge. Join in the webinar on 1st May – book here
EnterprisingYou is doing a huge amount of great work with the Self-Employed of Greater Manchester particularly in these difficult times.
The support on their website www.enterprising-you.co.uk and through our Business coaches regarding all the Government Self-Employed support (SEISS) has already assisted many individuals.
You can keep up to date on their posts, factsheets and support by signing up to their newsletter on the website Following on from the very successful EnterprisingYou Finance support for the self-employed webinars that began on Monday 20th (please click here for the recording) EnterprisingYou are expanding these to run twice weekly for the foreseeable future. For info about latest webinar date announcements please visit the website https://enterprising-you.co.uk/latest-news/
Stockport – is your business open for business?
Is your business in Stockport? Are you ‘open for business’?
Many businesses have been affected by the coronavirus outbreak and are currently unable to trade due to Government restrictions in an attempt to stem the spread of the virus, to keep us safe and to protect the NHS.
But there are businesses in Stockport who are allowed to continue to trade and are operating safely in compliance with the Government’s rules and guidance on social distancing measures. We want to ensure that support is provided to those businesses too and to let everyone know that, in part, Stockport is still open for business. Perhaps you have an online business? Or you have a food store. Are you offering a delivery service? Or perhaps you have a restaurant and are now offering take-aways? Whatever your business, we want to support you. And it’s free!
Follow the link, fill in the form and we will add you to our directory:
CONSTRUCTION:
Redrow will be mobilising sites from May 11 with a phased return to construction on May 18 with “robust social distancing protocols and physical measures in place.”
These include an e-learning module for all Redrow employees, induction videos for contractors, appointed Covid Supervisors for each site and enhanced signage and PPE.
EDUCATION:
Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance for schools and other educational settings
Added guidance on ‘Using clusters and hubs to maintain educational provision’ and ‘Changes to school admission appeals due to coronavirus’ to Guidance and advice about coronavirus (COVID-19) in educational settings for staff, parents and carers, pupils and students.
Using clusters and hubs to maintain educational provision
What educational settings need to know when making decisions on cluster or hub models, during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
Awarding qualifications in summer 2020
Guidance for vocational, technical and other qualifications updated to reflect consultation on grading arrangements for summer 2020 added to information for schools, students and parents on how GCSE, AS, A level, vocational and technical qualifications will be graded and awarded in summer 2020.
Actions for early years and childcare providers during the coronavirus outbreak
What childcare services early years settings, childminders and local authorities need to provide during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
EMPLOYERS / BUSINESSES / FINANCE:
Furloughed workers to receive full parental leave entitlement
Furloughed workers planning to take paid parental or adoption leave will be entitled to pay based on their usual earnings rather than a furloughed pay rate.
Providing apprenticeships during the coronavirus outbreak
Updated information on furloughed apprentices, end-point assessment, functional skills apprentices and qualification certification added to guidance for apprentices, employers, training providers and assessment organisations about changes to apprenticeships due to coronavirus (COVID-19).
Reminder – Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
Employers can claim online for a grant for 80% of their furloughed employees’ salaries, up to a maximum of £2,500 per employee per month.More than 285,000 businesses have already applied for the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme since it went live on Monday 20 April.
You will need to complete an application online; it will take approximately 6 working days from making an application to receive the money. Please keep a note or print-out of your claim reference number as you won’t receive a confirmation SMS or email. HMRC have produced this step by step guidance on how to make a claim. There is also a calculator to help you work out your claim. A guide is also available to view on YouTube
Stockport businesses grant funding payments:
Stockport Council have administered a total of £46,250,000 across 3,989 qualifying businesses and 72.9% of those identified as eligible as at 11/03/2020. If your business qualifies for a grant, please complete the online application form.
If you have any queries please email business.rates@stockport.gov.uk
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
EMPLOYEES:
COVID – 19: Homeworking expenses – what’s taxable?
HMRC have confirmed the tax and NIC treatment of expenses incurred relating to equipment, services or supplies provided if your employees are working from home due to COVID-19.
EMPLOYMENT / RECRUITMENT:
Stockport Jobs Match, matching Stockport workers with Jobs
As a result of the Coronavirus outbreak, while some businesses have seen their order books slashed, some sectors have seen a huge surge in demand for their goods and services leaving them with an immediate shortage of staff.
In response, Stockport Council has launched a job matching website to help support employers with vacancies and individuals across the Stockport borough who are looking for work.
HEALTH & WELLBEING:
Clinical trial approved to help the NHS treat COVID-19 patients using plasma
If effective, a national programme will deliver up to 10,000 units of plasma a week to the NHS to help treat coronavirus (COVID-19) patients.
Communities Secretary welcomes response to his call for parks to open
The Communities Secretary has praised councils for ensuring that the vast majority of parks opened so more people can get outside for exercise safely.
Mobile coronavirus testing units to target frontline workers
Mobile testing units, operated by the Armed Forces, will travel around the UK to increase access to coronavirus testing.
Personal protective equipment (PPE): export control process
Updated information for economic operators who will temporarily need a licence to export PPE outside the EU, EFTA member states and certain other territories.
UK leads way as nations endorse landmark pledge to make coronavirus vaccines and treatments available to all
Countries from around the world today joined the UK in pledging to give everyone equal access to new coronavirus vaccines and treatments around the world.
COVID-19: supporting adults with learning disabilities and autistic adults
Guidance for care staff who are supporting adults with learning disabilities and autistic adults during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
IT & SECURITY:
Security of NHS and Public Health Services Digital Systems (Coronavirus) Directions 2020
Direction given to the National Health Service and/or public health body.
Digital innovations tested to support vulnerable people during COVID-19 outbreak
New parents, unpaid carers, the homeless, young people and cancer patients could benefit from digital solutions as part of the TechForce19 challenge.
MARKETING & COMMS:
Industry experts share insights on how best to use marketing spend during lockdown
Prolific North’s webinar “What should I focus my marketing budget on right now?” involved a team of experts chaired by Alexandra Balazs, Head of Operations, who quizzed each of the speakers on their current marketing expectations, limitations and ambitions for the foreseeable lockdown period and beyond.
PROPERTY:
Rental market may quickly bounce back, new analysis shows
A new analysis reveals three key figures that suggest the rental market will bounce back from the lockdown and the Coronavirus crisis rapidly – and faster than the sales market. In an article exclusively for Letting Agent Today, the head of research at Zoopla – Gráinne Gilmore – explains that while activity in the rental sector has been significantly hit by the virus, the damage done is arguably less severe than some observers suggest.
RETAIL:
Shops get rent break as told to pay what they can
The government has introduced new measures to prevent landlords from using aggressive methods to collect rent from High Street shops during the coronavirus lockdown. The laws ban landlords from using statutory demands and winding up orders to claim rent unpaid due to the crisis.
Guidance for consumers on coronavirus (COVID-19) and food
Updated the guidance under the ‘Takeaway food’ heading in advice for consumers in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak in the UK.
TRANSPORT & TRAVEL:
UK announces 9 more charter flights from Pakistan to return thousands of stranded Brits
These will include the first UK charter flight from Karachi, which will depart on 30 April, in addition to further departures from Islamabad and Lahore.?
UK announces 5 more flights from Bangladesh to bring home over a thousand Brits
An additional 5 charter flights will bring home more than 1,250 British travellers to the UK from Bangladesh.
Shearings owner ‘starts administration process’ in race to find rescue deal
The owner of coach holiday and hotels specialist Shearings has filed a Notice of Intention (NOI) to appoint administrators to a number of subsidiaries, including Shearings and UKBreakaways.com, as reported on thebusinessdesk.com
Government steps in to help keep Metrolink operating
A DfT spokesman could not outlined how much could be made available, saying funding was still being calculated, but said the assistance would “enable key routes to remain open for people travelling to hospitals, supermarkets or those who cannot work from home, such as NHS staff”. Metrolink is currently losing around £5.5 million a month with coronavirus lockdown measures forcing all but essential workers off the network.
Joint statement on freight transport by UK, France and Ireland
The UK government hasinitiated a dialogue between the UK, French and the Irish governments during this crisis to strengthen partnership and share best practices. Working together in partnership is important at this difficult time to help keep freight flowing between and through our countries.
More Britons to return from Nigeria on UK charter flights
900 more British travellers stranded in Nigeria are set to return home on three flights chartered by the UK Government.
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:
Stockport Council – Health & Mental Well-being: https://www.stockport.gov.uk/showcase/coronavirus
Government – Financial Support
CBILS – A guide to whether it may be the best options for a business
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 – 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.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
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).
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.
Health – the big white wall
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.
Media and Marketing:
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/
Employment: – 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.
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