Latest data:
Testing: 232,708 people have now been tested for the virus (213,181)
New UK Cases: 60,734 have tested positive + 5,492 (55,242) on previous day
Sadly, of those in hospital, 7,097 people have died, an increase of 938 on the previous day (6,159)
In Stockport, there are 270 (225) confirmed cases
Government media call – daily briefing at 5pm on Wednesday 8th April:
The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak led the Downing Street Press Briefing:
- £750m of Government funding for the charity sector, £370m of which will support small local charities working with vulnerable people.
- In England, some support will be provided through organisations including the National Lotteries Communities Fund
- Prime Minister Boris Johnson remains in intensive care but is ‘improving’
- The Government will also will also match pound-for-pound whatever the public donates to the BBC’s Big Night In charity appeal on 23 April, starting with at least £20m to the National Emergencies Trust appeal.
Professor Stephen Powis, the National Medical Director for NHS England and Professor Angela McLean, the Deputy Chief Scientific Adviser also attended the Briefing.
Professor McLean’s updated slides
Chancellor’s Briefing Statement
REMINDER: Stockport businesses grant funding payments:
Covid-19: 2 business grant funding schemes are available:
1. a small business grant funding of £10,000 for all businesses in receipt of small business rate relief
2. grant funding of £25,000 for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses with property where the rateable value is between £15,001 and £50,999
If your business qualifies for a grant, please complete the application form here: https://www.stockport.gov.uk/support-for-businesses-and-employers
If the information entered is incomplete or incorrect, the system generates a form and sends it out to businesses – it is important that businesses respond to these forms quickly to avoid delay in any payments they may be eligible for.
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.
Stockport Council understand how hard this crisis is affecting businesses and would like to assure those who qualify for the grants that they are working hard to process the payments as quickly as possible and appreciate your patience and understanding.
Since 2nd April, Stockport Council have actioned 1,900 grant applications totalling more than £23.5m
If you have any queries please email business.rates@stockport.gov.uk
EMPLOYERS / BUSINESSES / FINANCE
ACAS publish free to use furlough letter template
The free-to-download template if for employers to use to confirm that there is an agreement to temporarily furlough a worker or employee.
ACAS updated guidance on holidays
In most situations, employees and workers should use their paid holiday (‘statutory annual leave’) in their current leave year. This is 5.6 weeks in the UK.
Government Guide to accessing grant funding
Covid-19 Business Grant Funding Documentation
Access an easy to follow guide on who is eligible for grant funding and how to access funding grant 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.
Financial support for businesses during coronavirus (COVID-19)
Find out what financial support you can get for your business.
COVID-19 Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme
HMRC has published new online guidance which includes information about who can use the scheme and the records employers must keep. HMRC is working urgently to set up a system for reimbursement. HMRC will continue to update employers and the new GOV.UK guidance when these details are available.
HM Treasury and Bank of England announce temporary extension to Ways and Means Facility.
HM Treasury and the Bank of England (the Bank) have agreed to extend temporarily the use of the government’s long-established Ways and Means (W&M) facility. As a temporary measure, this will provide a short-term source of additional liquidity to the government if needed to smooth its cashflows and support the orderly functioning of markets, through the period of disruption from Covid-19.
HEALTH:
Additional guidance on social distancing in the workplace
To support businesses that remain open during this period in England, the government has published additional guidance to assist employers, businesses and their staff in staying open safely during coronavirus (COVID-19). For specific settings please refer to sector specific guidance. Guidance has been published including for:
- Shops running a pick-up or delivery service
- Tradespeople and working in people’s homes
- Manufacturing and processing businesses
- Retail
- Logistics businesses
- Outdoor businesses
- Farming: visiting farms for animal health and welfare
- Transport businesses
- Waste management businesses
These guidelines are not intended to be comprehensive or to represent every business’s situation, but are illustrative examples. Businesses should also look at the advice being published by trade associations and similar groups on how to apply government guidance in their sector.
Read the general guidance for employers and businesses on coronavirus. Coronavirus (COVID-19) guidance for employees, employers and businesses
Links added to the Information on healthcare advice for employers and support for businesses: business grant funding guidance, and the expanded retail discount guidance for local authorities.
Coronavirus (COVID-19): providing unpaid care
Information for people who are caring, unpaid, for friends or family during the coronavirus outbreak.
Coronavirus (COVID-19): hospital discharge service requirements
Translated versions added to patient discharge leaflets setting out how health and care systems and providers should change their discharging arrangements and the provision of community support during the coronavirus situation.
NHS works with tech firms to help care home residents and patients connect with loved ones
Thousands of isolated residents and patients will be able to connect with their family and friends with video call devices, the government has announced.
Can you donate a bike to Stepping Hill Hospital?
We are looking to supply and support our NHS staff and Volunteers Heroes to quickly access bikes to commute to and from work in partnership with Transport for Greater Manchester
CAN YOU HELP? we need donated bikes to service and pass on to Stepping Hill Hospital. Collections can be arranged. All bikes donated will be re- donated direct to NHS Staff once serviced and made road worthy by us
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 on isolation for residential educational settings
Guidance to support management of children and young people in residential educational settings, including boarding schools, residential special schools and specialist colleges and children’s homes
TRANSPORT:
TfGM has issued a survey aimed at operators in the food supply chain –
to gather information on their transport needs – production centres, warehouses, distribution locations and grocery stores – to understand how best to support key workers in Greater Manchester.
UK airlines to save millions as navigation charges deferred
Charges for air navigation services in European airspace deferred for up to 14 months.
A new hub on gov.uk brings together Information for people using transport or working in the transport sector during the Coronavirus outbreak.
This includes information on:
- Using public transport
- Driving private vehicles – cars, vans, motorbikes
- Bus and lorry drivers
- Freight, bus and road transport businesses
- Transport workers
Northern to start checking rail tickets following increase in unnecessary day trips
Last week, the firm announced passengers would not need to show their tickets due to Covid-19 fears – but it has been forced to reverse the policy
EMPLOYMENT
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.
CONSTRUCTION:
Latest Government advice on safe site working
The Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Safety has issued its latest updated guidance on safe working on construction sites during the Covid-19 crisis.
It is now recommending that staff are kept two metres apart “as much as possible”. The full guidance states: Construction work plays an important role in ensuring public safety and the provision of public services. It can continue if done in accordance with the social distancing guidelines wherever possible.
MANUFACTURING:
Coronavirus (COVID-19): letter to the manufacturing sector
Letter from the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Alok Sharma, to those working in manufacturing.
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RETAIL:
Coronavirus (COVID-19): letter to the retail sector
Letter from the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Alok Sharma, to those working in retail.
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
