Latest data:
Testing: 719,910 people have now been tested for the virus
UK Cases: 157,149 have tested positive, + 4,309 on previous day
In hospital: 15,953 are in hospital, down from 16,411 on previous day
Loss of life: In hospital, 21,092 people have died + 360 on previous day
In Stockport: there are 765 cases of Covid-19, + 36 on previous day
Government Daily Briefing on Monday 27th April
Delivered by Matt Hancock:
· The public can now submit a question to the daily briefing – www.gov.uk/ask
· New £60,000 life assurance scheme for frontline staff in NHS & Social Care
· 42% of oxygen-supported beds now empty
· Urged those who are in urgent need of treatment for other illnesses to visit A&E
Slides and datasets to accompany coronavirus press conference: 27 April 2020
Press conference slides and datasets used by Professor Chris Whitty.
HEADLINE NEWS:
New 100% Government-backed ‘Bounce Back’ loans for small businesses
A new Bounce Back Loans scheme will allow businesses to borrow between £2,000 and £50,000 and access the cash within days. Loans will be interest free for the first 12 months, and from Monday 4 May, businesses can apply online through a short and simple form.
The Government will provide lenders with a 100% guarantee for the loan and pay any fees and interest for the first 12 months. No repayments will be due during the first 12 months.
New guarantee on death in service benefits for frontline health and care staff during pandemic
The families of health and care workers on the frontline in England will benefit from a new life assurance scheme during the pandemic, developed after discussions with health and social care unions. The scheme recognises the increased risk faced by staff during the crisis and will cover coronavirus related deaths of workers in frontline health and adult and children’s social care roles during the outbreak. It will cover staff who provide hands-on personal care for people who have contracted coronavirus or work in health or care settings where the virus is present. Bereaved family members will receive a £60,000 lump sum worth roughly twice the average pensionable pay for NHS staff, with the cost met by the government.
Update on Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS)
The Government is also taking additional steps on the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) to ensure that lenders have the confidence they need to process finance applications quickly, including removing the per lender portfolio cap for the government guarantee, and changing the viability tests that so that all banks will need to assess is whether a business was viable pre COVID-19.
LOCAL / REGIONAL NEWS & UPDATES:
Greater Manchester businesses urged to urgently access £629m coronavirus grant support funding
Businesses that are the main rate payer of business rates can be eligible for grant support of between £10,000 and £25,000 and may miss out on vital financial support if they do not apply by the end of April. It is vital that eligible businesses contact their Local Authority to apply for a grant. Funding is available for eligible companies but councils administering schemes may not have contact details for businesses, many of which are temporarily closed due to coronavirus.
DevoConnect host Zoom sessions:
29th April: Is more devolution the key to recovery? More info / book here
6th May: How to influence a hybrid parliament More info / book here
15th May: Stakeholder Mapping in a Covid-19 lockdown More info / book here
You can also read a write-up of ‘COVID-19 Webinar: Response, Impact and Recovery?’ on 23rd April 2020, where Metro Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham and Cllr Judith Blake, Leader of Leeds City Council joined devolution and communications experts Gill Morris and Steve Barwick.
Webinars:
1st May: Liverpool and Greater Manchester Metro Mayors 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 – book here
Twice weekly: EnterprisingYou Finance support for the self-employed webinars 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:
Glenigan: New urgency to construction on improving digital infrastructure
The widespread use of the Internet and video-conferencing by homeworkers and businesses during the coronavirus crisis will lend new urgency to the programme for more construction on improving the country’s digital infrastructure.
Glenigan: Food manufacturing construction boost
As Britain’s reliance on imported food & drink has come under the spotlight during the coronavirus crisis, moves to boost domestic output in the sector are set to bring opportunities for construction as food manufacturers and agricultural businesses gear up for expansion.
Travis Perkins boosts material supplies to sites
The country’s biggest builders merchant is reopening more of its branches to “give greater support to large construction firms and subcontractors as they restart construction sites”.
EMPLOYERS / BUSINESSES / FINANCE:
Small firms are to get access to 100% taxpayer-backed loans
Chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced a quick and easy new loan scheme, launching on Monday 4th May that will offer firms loans between £2,000 to £50,000 within days of applying. It aims to unlock a backlog of credit checks by banks amid fears many small firms could fold before getting loans. The scheme requires filling in a two-page self-certification form online. The loan terms mean that no capital or interest repayments will be due for one year. Instead, the government will pay the interest for the first 12 months.
Financial support for businesses during coronavirus (COVID-19)
Added details of the Bounce Back Loan scheme to what financial support you can get for your business. Added details of the Bounce Back Loan scheme.
The TUC has published a new report, calling for ‘tough new measures’ to be implemented to keep employees safe before lockdown restrictions begin to be eased.
It says that every British employer should be required to conduct a specific risk assessment, mitigate the risks identified, agree this with the staff union (if there is one), get it signed off by a health and safety representative or HSE inspector, and communicate it to workers before they return.
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. 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.
Coronavirus grant funding: local authority payments to small and medium businesses
Figures for payments to businesses updated as of 27 April 2020 by local authorities to support small and medium businesses in England during coronavirus.
Stockport businesses grant funding payments:
Stockport Council have administered a further 108 grants in the past 24 hours bringing the total amount paid to £47,480,000 across 4,097 qualifying businesses and 74% 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
EMPLOYMENT / RECRUITMENT:
Stockport Jobs Match, matching Stockport workers with Jobs
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:
Worrying drop in children accessing services and safeguarding concerns
NHS Providers havesupported campaigns encouraging people to use the NHS for non- COVID- 19 care amid concerns that there has been a fall in the number of people accessing services. They said: ‘We want the public to know that the NHS is absolutely still there for you if you need it and it is safe to use.’
Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance
Added ‘COVID-19: how to work safely in domiciliary care’ to guidance about coronavirus (COVID-19) for health professionals and other organisations.
New guarantee on death in service benefits for frontline health and care staff during pandemic
The families of health and care workers on the frontline in England will benefit from a new life assurance scheme during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
IT & SECURITY:
Remote COVID-19 monitoring platform launched
A free online platform which allows people in the UK to self-monitor for symptoms and signs of COVID-19 while adhering to social distancing measures has been created in Manchester. Called RemoteCovid, the platform has been developed by bio-clinical remote monitoring specialist NEPeSMO which was founded in 2017 by two following 11 years of NHS-led and funded research.
Coronavirus (COVID-19): fraud and cyber crime
Advice and guidance on how to protect yourself and your business from fraud and cybercrime.
LEISURE:
The UK hotel market will rebound strongly once the economy revives and travel restrictions are lifted post the COVID-19 pandemic, according to new research.
As part of new data from Knight Frank, UK markets such as London and Edinburgh, are likely to recover faster, with hotels in the capital potentially able to achieve a full recovery by Q4 2021 if the lockdown lifts by the end of Q2 this year. Despite early indications showing that the economic impact of Coronavirus could be more severe than any experienced previously, Knight Frank forecasts a V-shaped, stepped recovery, with occupancy growth beginning slowly in Q3 followed by substantially stronger growth in Q4 as travel confidence returns..
A survey by UKHospitality has found gaps in the support being offered to businesses during the pandemic.
It says that 57% of businesses that have received a decision on their loan application have had it declined, while less than 1% of businesses that have made a claim on their insurance have received pay-outs, and only an eighth of eligible businesses have received hospitality grants.
MANUFACTURING:
Europe restarts car factories amid uncertain demand
FRANKFURT (Reuters) – German carmaking giant Volkswagen (VOWG_p.DE) resumed production at its biggest factory on Monday as part of a broader industry drive to get back to work in Europe, where the coronavirus pandemic has hammered demand and pushed up inventory levels.
Coronavirus support for businesses – Guidance for Manufacturers
Business Secretary Alok Sharmer wrote to firms in the sector to stress that ‘there is no restrcition on manufacturing continuing under the current rules’. To help the sector, we have launched our COVID-19 manufacturing guidance hub. Here you will find guidance for operating amidst the pandemic, additional online tools and resources, calls to action from government and industry, as well as the latest government guidelines.
First DAF truck leaves company production line again
The DAF factories in Lancashire, Eindhoven (the Netherlands) and Westerlo (Belgium) have successfully restarted their operations. Across DAF’s production facilities in the UK, Netherlands and Belgium, hundreds of work stations have been assessed and adjusted. Tasks have been separated, routes altered and work schedules modified. Measures have been implemented to enable workers to maintain a distance of at least 1.5 metres – 2m at Leyland – and cleaning products have been made widely available.
PROPERTY:
New guidance for social landlords on essential moves
Councils and housing associations should continue to support vulnerable people to move home.
RETAIL:
Covid-19 is having a seismic impact on online grocery shopping
A new report from Mintel has found that Brits are forecast to spend an estimated £16.8billion on grocery shopping online during 2020, with 36% increasing the amount of online shopping they do and 50% trying to limit the time they spend in-store
British Retail Consortium and USDAW have issued advice for non-essential shops to prepare for an easing of lockdown The British Retail Consortium and Usdaw’s advice includes providing hand sanitiser for customers. The industry body and the union issued the advice to non-food retailers, closely based on what is already happening in many food stores.
Aldi is providing financial support to Age UK to fund their essential work for older people in the community and are continuing to support their long-term partner Neighbourly to redistribute food to those who need it most.
Plan revealed for estate agents to work safely when lockdown relaxes
A six-point guide is to be issued today to agents reopening offices when the government gives the go ahead, possibly in the next few weeks. The guide, to be issued by epropservices – parent company of the Guild of Property Professionals and Fine & Country – is based on current guidance and talks agents through a range of processes to open safely.
Greggs set re-open some stores in controlled trial
Bakery giant Greggs is set to open a number of its stores on a trial basis as the coronavirus lockdown continues. Greggs will carry out a controlled trial in 20 shops in the Newcastle area with retail volunteers from the business providing feedback on what operational changes need to be made. The trial will start on 4 May 2020 and will last for two weeks, with some stores remaining open after this period.
TRANSPORT & TRAVEL:
ABTA ‘in talks’ with Government to extend furlough scheme
“We’re already having conversations with the government around the furloughing scheme. Both the lack of suitability for right now, because it doesn’t allow you to help customers… going forward there may be some need for certain sectors to have some kind of continued salary support, if the government does want to avoid job losses in the long run.”
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
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