1st April:
Government’s 5pm media briefing presented by: Business Secretary Alok Sharma in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and joined by Dr Yvonne Doyle – medical director of Public Health England.
As of latest official figures released, 152,979 (143,886) people have been tested, 29,474 (25,150) tested positive and very sadly a total of 2,352 (1,789) have now passed away. 107 confirmed cases in Stockport.
*previous day’s figures in brackets
https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/business-secretarys-statement-on-coronavirus-covid-19-1-april-2020
From today businesses will start benefiting from £22 billion in the form of business rates relief. Grants of up to £25,000 are being paid into the bank accounts of the smallest high street firms; as of today, local authorities have received more than £12 billion.
Stockport businesses see Covid-19 grant funding in their bank accounts
Following the receipt of the funding from the Government, Stockport Council has immediately started to pay the businesses qualifying for government grants of £10,000 and £25,000.
Council officers have worked with a software supplier to install a new software system to handle the coronavirus grant payments, the Council successfully made the first payments to 360 business bank accounts overnight last night.
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.
The team at Stockport Council will continue to work around the clock to process further payments as quickly as possible to all eligible businesses that have registered their details. Businesses can check their eligibility here
The new system will also generate a form and send it out to businesses if their information is incomplete or incorrect – it is important that businesses respond to these forms quickly to avoid delay in any payments they may be eligible for.
The Government have also released a set of frequently asked questions to support businesses to understand the grant schemes and these can be found https://marketingstockport.co.uk/news/covid-19-grant-funding-schemes-frequently-asked-questions-faqs
The new system will also generate a form and send it out to businesses if their information is incomplete or incorrect – it is important that businesses respond to these forms quickly to avoid delay in any payments they may be eligible for.
The message from Government has not changed but is amplified:
‘Stay at Home, Protect the NHS, Save lives’.
Government Guide to accessing grant funding
Access an easy to follow guide on who is eligible for grant funding and how to access funding grant
The Government has issued a list of Frequently Asked Questions and corresponding answers around Grant Funding – https://marketingstockport.co.uk/news/covid-19-grant-funding-schemes-frequently-asked-questions-faqs/
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.
Coronavirus (COVID-19): business support grant funding – guidance for businesses
Contactless spending limit increased to £45 across UK
The spending limit for contactless card payments has increased from £30 to £45 across the country following action by the payments industry to increase the contactless limit as part of the financial services industry’s response to Covid-19.
High street benefits from £22 billion grants and business rates package
From 1 April, high streets begin to receive £22 billion coronavirus boost, with grants of up to £25,000 already being paid into bank accounts of high street businesses.
Chancellor waives duties and VAT on vital medical imports
Chancellor waives import taxes on vital medical equipment including ventilators, coronavirus testing kits and protective clothing. Find out more here.
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 Council has introduced a dedicated Coronavirus helpline for vulnerable people.
It means that the most vulnerable people in Stockport will be able to access support Monday to Friday, from 9am to 5pm and on Saturdays from 10am to 4pm, by calling 0161 217 6046. The helpline will provide advice and tell you how you can access support. You can call the helpline if do not have a network of family and friends you can call upon for support, particularly if
• you are over the age of 70 and you are self-isolating
• you have received a letter from the NHS advising you are high risk and should stay at home
• you are medically vulnerable according to the government criteria and should stay at home.
COVID-19: Call for rapid sanitising technology for ambulances
Do you have an innovative or novel approach to get ambulances cleaner quicker to help combat Coronavirus? Open Call.
Coronavirus (COVID-19): early years and childcare closures
Updated guidance for local authorities, early years settings and childminders about childcare provision to clarify the income support available and the requirements for providing safe, quality care for vulnerable and critical workers’ children.
Construction industry – updated Site Operating Procedures
The Government has confirmed that construction sites should continue to operate during the current Coronavirus pandemic. Alok Sharma, the Secretary of State for Business Energy & Industrial Strategy, confirmed that the Site Operating Procedures published by the Construction Leadership Council are aligned with Public Health England (PHE) guidance that must be implemented in the workplace. In response to feedback, the Site Operating Procedures Version 2 has now been published
Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance on vulnerable children and young people
Questions and answers about the educational provisions being made for vulnerable children and young people over the Easter holidays.
Coronavirus (COVID-19): notification of data controllers to share information
Notification of data controllers in healthcare organisations, GPs, local authorities and arm’s length bodies that they should share information to support efforts against coronavirus (COVID-19).
New Updates and Guidance – Business Support FAQs
Frequently asked questions for businesses and employers, on business closures and stay at home, and on the self-employment income support scheme, are available on the business support website.
Stockport Jobs Match
As a result of the Coronavirus outbreak, some sectors have seen a huge surge in demand for their goods and services leaving them with an immediate shortage of staff.
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.
There is also a call for temporary staff to cover priority functions due to sickness.
The Stockport Jobs Match service is a free to use resource for both individuals and businesses. The website will also help signpost individuals to available support services and information.
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
https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2020/03/uk-coronavirus-help-and-your-rights/#vid