Latest UK data:
Positive tests: 311,641 have tested positive + daily 816
Loss of life: 46,526 across all settings + 21
UK – Patients in hospital: 1,067 – 67 patients on a ventilator
Daily admissions: 142
Cases in Stockport: 1,852
Coronavirus cases in the UK: daily updated statistics
The latest number of coronavirus (COVID-19) tests, cases and deaths in the UK.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) statistics and analysis
Data sources of numbers relating to the coronavirus pandemic in the UK.
Slides, datasets and transcripts to accompany coronavirus press conferences
Slides, datasets and transcripts from press conferences at 10 Downing Street in response to coronavirus.
UK HEADLINES:
Breaking: Sky News: Debenhams has announced plans to cut 2,500 jobs as the retail sector reels from the effects of the coronavirus crisis.
730,000 leave national payroll as benefit claimants figures reach 2.7 million
The figures released earlier today show the largest drop in employment figures since the period from May to July during the recession in 2009. According to today’s figures released by the ONS, the number of people claiming benefits for either unemployment and due to low incomes rose to 2.7 million, nearly 117% since lockdown began in March to end of last month. It is feared that the hardest hit will be the younger workers and those in the older employment bracket as figures also revealed 220,000 fewer people were classed as in employment over the same period. Despite the Governments pledge to pay employers £1,000 for every worker they bring back into employment from October when the furlough scheme is due to end, it is feared that unemployment will rise dramatically in Q4.
9.6 million workers’ pay is currently being supported through the Job Retention Scheme. Read more at the BBC
Sky News: Where jobs have been lost across the UK
A total of more than 108,000 jobs have been lost due to coronavirus. Worst hit is the Aviation sector accounting for a third off all job losses including from manufacturing, pilots, baggage handlers and airport staff. Retail and hospitality have also suffered heavy losses.
Celebrate Shop Local Week and support local businesses.
Shoppers across the UK have been urged to do their bit and take part in Shop Local Week (10-16 August) to help local businesses rebuild from the coronavirus pandemic.
LOCAL / REGIONAL NEWS & UPDATES:
Stockport, saddle up ready for Cycle September
Transport for Greater Manchester is encouraging individuals and organisations to take part in Cycle September, a global competition to encourage more people to travel by bike.
As Stockport’s business community prepares for recovery post-coronavirus, a group of business leaders from the town have collaborated with Stockport Council to launch a new website – www.skbusinessrecovery.co.uk to support businesses through the phases of recovery.
North of England: local restrictions
Find out what you can and cannot do if you live, work or travel in areas of the north of England – added that children of parents who are separated can move between households while the restrictions are in place and ‘Changes to restrictions’ to make the guidance clearer.
Business Grants Funds: programme closure.
The Small Business grants fund, the Retail, Hospitality & Leisure Grants Fund and the Discretionary Grants Fund, should close by Friday 28 August. No further grants will be considered beyond that date. £62 million in grants have been made to 5,500 businesses premises in Stockport.
If you believe you are entitled to the Small Business Grants Fund, the Retail, Hospitality & Leisure Grants Fund https://www.stockport.gov.uk/support-for-businesses-and-employers/small-business-grant-funding-coronavirus but haven’t yet provided your bank account details to the Council then please do so as soon as possible using the link provided.
The Discretionary Grant Scheme for phase 4 closed at midnight on 07/08/2020.
Any appeals against the discretionary grant decisions must be received by the Council by 5pm this Friday, 14/08/2020 – appeals made after this date and time will not be considered.”
Stockport businesses grant funding payments:
Main Grant Scheme:
Stockport Council have now administered a total of 5,358 grants bringing the total amount paid to £61,500,000 and bringing the total to 97.8% of those identified as eligible as at 11/03/2020.
Local Authority Discretionary Grant funding scheme
Status of LAD Payments to date:
Applications: 794
Payments: £1,516,500
By working in collaboration, Stockport can become united and encouraged to build a better future for everyone by supporting the local economy, connecting communities and promoting health & wellbeing. Find out more at www.onestockport.co.uk
Stockport – is your business open for business?
Is your business in Stockport? Are you ‘open for business’? 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:
COMMUNITY:
CONSTRUCTION:
Laing O’Rourke starts redundancy talks with 150 staff
A business briefing delivered by webinar broke the news yesterday morning. The roles at risk are focused within the company’s support services and main offices and collection consultation will take place with a number of staff based at the Dartford head office.
EDUCATION:
Awarding qualifications in summer 2020
Information for schools, students and parents on how GCSE, AS, A level, vocational and technical qualifications will be graded and awarded in summer 2020. Guidance for teachers, students, parents and carers: Summer 2020 grades for GCSE, AS and A level, Extended Project Qualification and Advanced Extension Award in maths document updated. VTQ awarding organisation appeals and complaints links guidance added to General resources for Vocational Qualifications section.
Awarding qualifications in summer 2020
Information for schools, students and parents on how GCSE, AS, A level, vocational and technical qualifications will be graded and awarded in summer 2020. Updated – arrangements for the assessment and awarding of Vocational and Technical Qualifications and Other General Qualifications in 2020 to 2021 guidance document link added to the General resources for Vocational Qualifications section.
Arrangements for the assessment and awarding of Vocational and Technical Qualifications and Other General Qualifications in 2020 to 2021
Advice on vocational and technical qualifications, and other general qualifications.
Response to media coverage about results in Scotland
A response to recent stories on exam results in Scotland this summer and any impact on results in England.
EMPLOYERS / BUSINESS / FINANCE:
Are you missing the ‘office buzz’?
If you are one of the hundreds and thousands of people who are currently home working as a result of coronavirus and missing the buzz of the background noise in an office, help is on hand! During the lockdown, websites that provide a background noise of an office have received millions of visits from workers.
The COVID-19 pandemic has fed in to the popularity of these office “soundboards” which are available online and can produce noises such as printers, coffee machines and colleagues chatting. Find out more here
Individuals you can claim for who are not employees
Find out if you can claim through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme for individuals who are not employees.
Changes to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme from 1 August
The changes mean that employers will need to pay National Insurance (NI) and pension contributions for furloughed employees from their own resources as these will not be covered by future grants. Make sure you have the latest information by joining the live webinar:
Extension to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and flexible furloughing
We’ll provide an overview of the scheme, including flexible furloughing, examples of how to work out the amount you can claim, and the changes due in September and October.
If you haven’t been able to join our popular webinar about the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme, more dates have now been added. Get the latest information on:
- who can claim
- who you can claim for
- how to make a claim
- what you may be entitled to, and more.
You can ask questions during all our live webinars using the on-screen text box. HMRC webinars are constantly updated to provide the latest government guidance on changes as they develop.
European Structural and Investment Funds: Coronavirus (COVID-19) Response
A series of documents and updates regarding the 2014 to 2020 European Structural and Investment Funds Programme and the response to COVID-19.
HM Treasury coronavirus (COVID-19) business loan scheme statistics
HMT management information about the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS), Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CLBILS), Bounce Back Loan Scheme (BBLS) and Future Fund Scheme.
HEALTH CARE & WELLBEING:
Retirement living communities are vital to the future of social care
A new report argues that retirement communities should be considered a major part of the solution on how care is delivered in England. The Associated Retirement Community Operators (ARCO) and the County Councils Network, who co-authored the report, say that retirement communities offer care and support and could play a hugely important preventative role in addressing the adult social care funding crisis and keeping people out of hospital longer. According to the report: “Retirement Communities offer a different choice for people and can help them retain independence for as long as possible, with the added insurance of care options being close at hand and readily accessible should it be needed in the future. By being open to the wider community and acting as hubs for the towns and villages around them they also keep older people engaged with wider society which is key to tackling loneliness and isolation in later years.
PPE deliveries (England): 3 August to 9 August 2020
Experimental statistics showing the latest number of personal protective equipment (PPE) items distributed for use by health and social care services in England.
Guidance for industry on MHRA’s expectations for return to UK on-site inspections
We are planning to resume on-site UK risk-based GxP inspections in September.
NHS Test and Trace service to strengthen regional contact tracing
NHS Test and Trace and Public Health England will extend its partnership with local authorities to reach more people testing positive and their contacts.
COVID-19: background information
Information on COVID-19 including epidemiology, virology and clinical features – updated global case numbers.
Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance
Find guidance about coronavirus (COVID-19) for health and social care settings, other non-clinical settings, and for the general public – updated to reflect changes to self-isolation period and face coverings regulations.
Companies House to resume the compulsory strike off process
From 10 October 2020, we’ll resume the process to strike off companies we believe are no longer carrying on business or in operation.
Coronavirus guidance for Companies House customers, employees and suppliers
Companies House has robust plans in place to maintain services for our customers and protect the welfare of our employees during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak – Companies House to resume the compulsory strike off process from 10 October 2020.
NHS Test and Trace statistics (England): 23 July to 29 July 2020
Experimental statistics for weeks 1 to 9 of NHS Test and Trace contact tracing in England.
Guidance for Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) facilities in relation to coronavirus (COVID-19)
The UK Good Laboratory Practice Monitoring Authority (UK GLPMA) recognises that there are potential challenges COVID-19 will present to members of the GLP monitoring programme.
MHRA guidance on coronavirus (COVID-19)
Guidance and information for industry, healthcare professionals and patients covering the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak – added a link to new guidance for industry on MHRA’s expectations for return to UK on-site inspections, in the ‘Inspections and good practice’ section.
HOSPITALITY:
How you can join in the Eat Out to Help Out campaign
Diners who eat-in will benefit from a 50% discount, up to a maximum of £10 per person, on food and non-alcoholic drinks, any Monday to Wednesday throughout August. More than 53,000 outlets across the UK have so far signed up to the UK government’s Eat Out to Help Out scheme – and a new official government online finder is available to help diners locate them. More than 72,000 restaurants in the UK are taking part and over 100 restaurants within just 2.5 miles of Stockport town centre have joined the scheme
Help and support if your business is affected by coronavirus (COVID-19)
The YouTube video about how to participate in the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme has been amended and information about what has changed for parents – Self-Employment Income Support Scheme, has been added.
JUDICIARY:
Keeping court and tribunal buildings safe, secure and clean
This page provides details about security, cleaning and social-distancing arrangements in court and tribunal buildings during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Face coverings to be worn in all public and communal parts of buildings in England
Going to a court or tribunal during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
Use this guide if you’ve been asked to attend a hearing in person at a court or tribunal during the coronavirus outbreak – face coverings to be worn in all public and communal parts of buildings in England.
HMCTS online event, 15 July 2020: Use of remote hearings to maintain justice during the coronavirus outbreak
A recording of the live event hosted on 15 July 2020, including presentation slides and Q&A.
PROPERTY:
Stamp Duty holiday producing more house moves says agency
The share of owners putting their homes on the market within five years of buying is rising again according to an analysis by Hamptons International. The agency, which used data from across the Countrywide group for its analysis, has told the Financial Times that one in five homes coming on the market in July 2019 had been purchased within the previous five years. By July 2020, however, that proportion had risen to one in four.
RETAIL:
Barclaycard reveals July boost to non-essential retail spending
Data from Barclaycard, which sees nearly half of the UK’s credit and debit card transactions, has revealed a July uptick in non-essential retail spending in July as Britons return to the high street. Spending on essential items, such as groceries, was up in July on the same month last year by 3.2%. Non-essential spending, although still 4.7% lower than 2019, had risen sharply compared with the previous month as shoppers return to high streets as businesses reopened.
Dominos Pizza serves up “resilient” lockdown as sales increase 5.5 per cent
An international fast food chain has announced that it saw stronger than expected trading during the UK’s lockdown. Dominos Pizza, which has more than 1,000 stores across the country, saw sales increase by 5.5 per cent in the second quarter of the year, jumping from £596m in 2019 to £628.9m. During lockdown, the chain shut down its ‘collection’ option, resulting in an 87 per cent drop in collections during Q2 and a 22 per cent increase in delivery orders.
RURAL AFFAIRS:
Dairy Response Fund 2020
The Dairy Response Fund 2020 provides support to eligible dairy farmers in England who produce cows’ milk. They can apply for a one-off payment – deadline for applications of 11 September 2020. Guidance also updated at section 4 to clarify how to apply for businesses which have more than one milk contract, and for businesses where the purchaser has applied a deduction to the milk price.
Coronavirus (COVID-19): information for farmers, landowners and rural businesses
The latest information for farmers, landowners and rural businesses during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak – update to Dairy Response Fund: application deadline extended to midnight on 11 September 2020.
TRAVEL & TOURISM:
British Airways extends Covid booking guarantee
British Airways is extending its Book with Confidence policy throughout September to cover the following 12 months. The extension means bookings can be amended for travel until 31 August 2021. Changes can also be made to dates and destinations without charge. During the period, clients who cancel bookings will receive a voucher exchangeable for future flights.
Coronavirus (COVID-19): travel corridors
List of countries and territories from where you can travel to England and may not have to self-isolate – Brunei and Malaysia added to list.
Covid-19 webinars:
Restart Travel: What next?
TTG seminar sponsored by Virgin Voyages on Thursday 13 August from 2pm, to find out, as we explore:
- The future of travel – will it ever return to how it was and how can your business adapt to the new normal?
- The corporate sector – has it been affected as much as the leisure sector and what plans have TMCs put into place to prepare for the months ahead?
- What does cruising look like in a post-Covid world and what health and safety practices have been put into place to reassure customers that it’s safe to travel?
- How to boost your sales in the off-peak periods and why now is the time to start planning ahead.
- How can we build upon the #SaveTravel campaign to ensure the government offers the UK travel industry the support it needs?
Government Webinar: Eat Out to Help Out scheme
View the webinar and find out more – Help and support if your business is affected by coronavirus (COVID-19)
Restart Travel: Build Back Better
We’ve seen some positive signs in the last couple of weeks that we’re on the road to recovery, but the travel industry’s journey is far from over. Join us for our next TTG seminar, which will explore how operators are winning back business during challenging circumstances. Book HERE
Make your workplace COVID-secure:
You can find recordings of webinars covering other types of workplace here
HMRC:
Coronavirus COVID-19 Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme:
Providing an overview of the scheme, this webinar looks at who can claim, when to start paying SSP, employees you can claim for, making a claim, keeping records, and more. Choose a date and time
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme – How to make a claim:
This guides you through making a claim, including the essential information you need, what to do before you make your claim, calculating and processing your claim.
Choose a date and time
If you’ve missed any of HMRC’s live webinars, you can catch up series of recorded webinars on HMRC’s YouTube channel – available at a time to suit you.
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/
Join an HR virtual community HRD: A Virtual Experience.
Join 2,500+ senior HR Leaders from across the globe including The Clorox Company, Diageo, DHL, Siemens, Nestle, Vodafone, Tiffany & Co, ING and more.
Date and time: Thursday June 18th from 10am CET/9am BST
Summit theme: The Resilient Organisation
Sign up here – it’s completely free!
ACAS – run a series of courses to help businesses with transition from lockdown
Useful information and links:
Stockport nominated in the Smart City category in the Digital Leaders awards.
Vote for Stockport HERE. Voting closes at 12 noon on Friday 28th August, with the winners announced on the 15th of October.
Get a discount with the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme
From 3 to 31 August, get a 50% discount when you eat in at restaurants that are registered with the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme.
The restaurant finder tool now shows results within a 5 mile radius of the postcode used.
Get a discount with the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme
From 3 to 31 August, get a 50% discount when you eat in at restaurants that are registered with the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme.
New opening times for Stockport Council Coronavirus Helpline
The helpline for vulnerable people across Stockport can now be accessed through new opening times by calling 0161 217 6046:
• Monday – Thursday from 9am to 5pm
• Friday from 9am to 4.30pm
• Saturdays from 10am to 1pm
At busy times, residents are automatically offered a call-back from one of our call handlers.
Coronavirus outbreak FAQs: what you can and can’t do
Frequently asked questions on what you can and can’t do during the coronavirus outbreak – guidance updated in line with new regulations coming into force on 4 July
Business Survey:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dcms-coronavirus-impact-business-survey/dcms-business-survey-headline-measures
New tools and resources available from Acas:
Redundancy letter templates
Redundancy process map Acas have also contributed to the development of a new return to work toolkit in partnership with SOM, CIPD, BITC and Mind.
Applications Now Open for the Local Authority Discretion Fund. Businesses that had been eligible for the Self-Employment Income Support are also now eligible for the LA Discretionary Business Grant.
Apply for the coronavirus Future Fund
The Future Fund will provide UK Government loans to UK-based companies ranging from £125,000 to £5 million, subject to at least equal match funding from private investors.
Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme set to launch
Employers will be able to make claims through the Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme from 26 May.
Stockport Council publishes details for Local Authority Discretionary Grants Fund.
Stockport Council has confirmed its criteria in consideration of awarding the Local Authority Discretionary Grants Fund, announced as the grants Top-up fund by the Government on 1st May.
Business Support in Stockport – a centre pool of information to support business owners in Stockport:
www.skbusinessrecovery.co.uk
Government – Guidance on Returning to Work safely
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19
Government – Setting out of Road Map to recovery – 11th May 2020
Our plan to rebuild: The UK Government’s 60 page COVID-19 recovery strategy
The UK Government’s COVID-19 recovery strategy. The strategy sets out a cautious roadmap to easing existing measures in a safe and measured way, subject to successfully controlling the virus and being able to monitor and react to its spread.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.
www.stockport-jobsmatch.co.uk
Coronavirus Act 2020: status
A table setting out the status of each measure in the Coronavirus Act 2020.
Government – Financial Support
New 100% government backed loan scheme for small business
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 – IT safety support:
Government Warnings Over Coronavirus Scams – Here’s How to Protect Yourself
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: 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:
https://marketingstockport.co.uk/news/food-delivery-and-takeaway-guidance-for-food-businesses-looking-to-diversify/
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
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).
Health – 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:
Prolific North are publishing daily updates on their blog as to how Covid-19 is impacting on the marketing, media and technology industries
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/
Employment: – Stockport Jobs Match
Community – Guidance for businesses seeking to help voluntary, community, and social enterprise organisations during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
How businesses can offer services, funds and volunteers to civil society during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Find out more information here.
Employment – 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
Can you claim back Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay in the Rebate Scheme
From Tuesday 26 May 2020, small and medium-sized employers, with fewer than 250 employees, will be able to apply to recover the costs of paying coronavirus-related Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) payments they have made to their employees.