2nd April: Government’s 5pm media briefing presented by: Health Secretary Matt Hancock
As of latest official figures released, 163,194 (152,979) people have been tested, 33,718 (29,474) tested positive and very sadly a total of 2,921 (2,352) have now passed away. 140 (107) confirmed cases in Stockport *previous day’s figures in brackets
Addressing the media, Mr Hancock announced:
- 45m pieces of PPE equipment have been distributed across the UK
- PPE has been upgraded to protect in all circumstances
- Healthcare services in need of PPE can call a helpline
- £300m made available to community pharmacies
- Writing off £13.6b of historical NHS debt
- A 5-pillar strategy to increase testing and the UK’s testing capabilities
- A pledge to deliver 100,000 tests every day across all 5 pillars by the end of the month
Slides and datasets to accompany coronavirus press conference: 2 April 2020
Health Secretary sets out plan to carry out 100,000 coronavirus tests a day
New 5-pillar plan outlines national effort to increase testing to 100,000 a day across the UK this month.
£300 million announced for community pharmacies to support them during coronavirus outbreak
£300 million in funding will ensure community pharmacies can continue to carry out essential services during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
NHS to benefit from £13.4 billion debt write-off
Health Secretary announces over £13 billion of debt will be written off as part of a major financial reset for NHS providers.
Declaration by NATO Foreign Ministers on the coronavirus pandemic
Statement by NATO Foreign Ministers: 2 April 2020
MHRA guidance on coronavirus (COVID-19)
Published new page on Guidance on coronavirus (COVID-19) tests and testing kits
Almost £400 million to keep England’s buses running
Greater funding to keep bus routes running during the coronavirus pandemic.
Criminals target members of the public with scam emails
Action Fraud has received 41 reports of a scam email purporting to be from HM Government asking for donations to the NHS during the COVID-19 outbreak. This is a fake email and your money will only end up in the hands of a criminal.
Emergency business loan scheme revamped after criticism
The changes to the business interruption loan scheme will mean more businesses are able to access financial support during the lockdown.
Update on Stockport businesses grant funding payments:
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 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 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-business-support-grant-funding-guidance-for-businesses
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 local authorities
Funding break down by local authority
Business rates: expanded retail discount – guidance
Guidance updated to confirm that the government’s assessment that the expanded retail discount is not a state aid, and that local authorities should therefore award relief to all eligible properties.
Coronavirus (COVID-19): business support grant funding – guidance for businesses
HMRC are delivering a programme of webinars on measures to support employers, employees and the self-employed through this period of disruption caused by COVID-19. You can watch a video of the first recorded webinar and register for future webinars using the link: bit.ly/HMRCWebinar
Personal protective equipment (PPE): export control process
Information for economic operators who will temporarily need a licence to export PPE outside the EU, EFTA member states and certain other territories.
Coronavirus (COVID-19): admission and care of people in care homes
How to protect care home residents and staff during the coronavirus outbreak.
BCC Coronavirus Business Impact Tracker
First results show heavy toll on UK business communities as majority of firms face cash flow crisis
‘Stay at Home, Protect the NHS, Save lives’.
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.
www.stockport-jobsmatch.co.uk
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:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-on-business-support-grant-funding
Government – Business Support:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19/covid-19-support-for-businesses
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:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-educational-provision/guidance-for-schools-colleges-and-local-authorities-on-maintaining-educational-provision
UK Lockdown – Further businesses to close and exceptions:
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/874732/230320_-Revised_guidance_note-_finalVF
Business Growth Hub:
www.businessgrowthhub.com/coronavirus
https://www.businessgrowthhub.com/coronavirus/resources/2020/03/coronavirus-business-support-webinar-series
Food & Drink – advice and guidance:
Health – updates from NHS
https://www.england.nhs.uk/news/
Health – Shielding the most vulnerable
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19
Travel:
https://media.northernrailway.co.uk/news/coronavirus-travel-information
Recruitment: – DWP and Universal Credit
http://news.dwp.gov.uk/dwplz/lz.aspx?p1=MQsDU1NjQ5MlM2OTA0OjNCNDJBOEZCRTJDOUJEOTc1ODQ0RTRCRDNDNzk4QUNF-&CC=&p=0
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
Stockport park unveils tribute to young community hero 
Research finds Covid-19 has not fundamentally changed the UK labour market 
Government sets out ‘Living with COVID’ next steps from 1st April