Latest UK data:
Positive tests: 327,798 have tested positive + daily 1,184 new cases
Loss of life: *41,449 across all settings + 16
Cases in Stockport: 44 cases 14 Aug – 20 Aug (- 23 on previous week)
Cases in Stockport: 15 per 100,000 (England area average is 6)
Deaths in Stockport: 359 registered to 7 August
Total cases in Stockport: 1,955 to 24 August
Daily reported COVID deaths are now measured across the UK as deaths that occurred within 28 days of the first laboratory-confirmed positive COVID test
The R number and growth rate in the UK
The latest reproduction number (R) and growth rate of coronavirus (COVID-19) in the UK. The R number range for the UK is 0.9-1.1 and the growth rate range is -3% to +1% per day as of 21 August 2020.
Coronavirus cases in the UK: daily updated statistics
The latest number of coronavirus (COVID-19) tests, cases and deaths in the UK. The way deaths are reported has been reviewed and updated using a measure based on a 28-day limit between the date of a positive lab-confirmed test and date of death.
NHS Test and Trace (England) and coronavirus testing (UK) statistics: 6 August to 12 August 2020
Experimental statistics for weeks 1 to 11 of NHS Test and Trace contact tracing in England and coronavirus testing (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:
Face coverings to become mandatory for some schools in Greater Manchester
While local restrictions are in place, from 1st September, face coverings will be compulsory and worn in secondary schools in England, including across Greater Manchester, and wherever additional restrictions have been imposed. Face coverings will be mandatory in communal areas / corridors. The new ruling does not apply to primary schools or children under 12. In areas where additional restrictions have not been imposed, it is the schools / head teacher’s discretion whether to introduce face coverings. Gavin Williamson, schools minister, said the Government wants to reassure parents and pupils as new school year approaches.
Working from home – what does the future hold?
According to a report by the BBC, 49% of employees are anxious about returning to the office environment. Some companies are actively encouraging their staff to continue working from home:
Fifty of the biggest UK employers questioned by the BBC have said they have no plans to return all staff to the office full-time in the near future. One of the main reasons given for the lack of a substantial return was that firms could not see a way of accommodating large numbers of staff while social distancing regulations were still in place. Some smaller businesses are deciding to abandon their offices altogether – saving money on overheads and attaining a better home / life balance as a result of reduced time commuting.
Facebook staff are to be allowed to continue working from home until July 2021;
50,000 RBS staff will continue working from home for the rest of 2020.
For some companies, this new way of working will be the future where overheads can be reduced and business growth may not automatically mean bigger offices.
For many employers, the way forward is a more balanced approach encompassing the homework model. But this new way of working will impact on many small, supplier businesses, specifically local retailers – cafes sandwich shops, convenience stores. Before lockdown, how much time did your employees spend commuting each day? If their commute was 28 minutes, the average for the UK, they’d spend nine 24-hour days dedicated to travel for work. Following the worldwide lockdown and with many commute-times cut to zero, it’s hard to imagine that the workforce will be keen to return to the previous arrangement. Companies will need to start thinking about what this means for their business operations and how they can best support their employees through remote working opportunities.
Read more here
LOCAL / REGIONAL NEWS & UPDATES:
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.
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.
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 28th August. No further grants will be considered beyond that date.
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.
Stockport businesses grant funding payments:
Main Grant Scheme:
Stockport Council have now administered a total of 5,401 grants bringing the total amount paid to £61,990,000 and bringing the total to 98.6% of those identified as eligible as at 11/03/2020.
Local Authority Discretionary Grant funding scheme
Status of LAD Payments to date:
Applications: 791
Payments: £1,753,500
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
CLEAN AIR:
North West to benefit from new £14m low carbon investment programme
ECO-I North West will work with more than 360 businesses across Lancashire, the Liverpool City Region, Cumbria, Cheshire and Greater Manchester to support the research and development of such technologies, products and services.
Led by Lancaster University in partnership with the University of Central Lancashire, the University of Cumbria, the University of Liverpool, Liverpool John Moores University and Manchester Metropolitan University, the programme will save an estimated 3,850 tonnes of carbon emissions. It will also enable businesses to capitalise from the region’s knowledge base and research facilities. GM Clean Air Plan:
Following the publication of a report on the GM Clean Air Plan consultation, Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) is hosting a round table meeting for local businesses on 2nd and 3rd September. Click here for more information and to sign up
COMMUNITY:
Coronavirus and crime in England and Wales: August 2020
Crime against households and adults during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, using data from the Crime Survey for England and Wales telephone survey and Home Office police recorded crime.
One Stockport Community Engagement Webinar
Hosted by Parents & Carers Together Stockport. We now have a unique opportunity to harness our new-found sense of community to become united as One Stockport.
Thursday, August 27, 2020 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Coronavirus: How to help safely
Across the UK people are playing their part and providing essential support to their friends and family who are in isolation.
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 – added guidance on what happens when you are ill on holiday in England.
CONSTRUCTION:
CITB to slash 110 staff as levy income drops
CITB, the Industry Training Board for the construction industry, aims to reduce the organisation’s payroll bill by 17%, equivalent to 110 redundancies, saving £4.5m per year as levy income is predicted to fall because of the impact of Covid-19. CITB suspended levy collection as a result of the pandemic and will halve next year’s payment – a reduction of £242m in levy income over three years. The sweeping staff cuts will allow CITB to focus its expenditure on directly supporting construction employers with their key skills, training and apprenticeships needs.
EDUCATION:
Further and higher education: coronavirus (COVID-19)
What colleges and universities and other providers need to do during the coronavirus COVID-19) outbreak – added ‘Face coverings in education’ guidance in ‘Safe working and protective measures’ section.
Guidance for schools: coronavirus (COVID-19)
What school leaders, teachers and school staff need to do during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak – added ‘Face coverings in education’ guidance in ‘Safe working and protective measures’ section.
Face coverings in education
Guidance on the use of face coverings for schools and other education institutions that teach people in Years 7 and above in England.
EMPLOYERS / BUSINESS / FINANCE:
“Very stressful period” for insurers as ombudsman receives over 3,500 complaints The Association of British Insurers has responded to news that over 3,500 complaints have been made in connection with firms’ handling of the coronavirus outbreak. Thousands of complaints have been raised to the financial ombudsman service relating to the COVID-19 pandemic. Complaints from small businesses now outnumber the total from the last financial year, while holidaymakers and those planning events such as weddings and concerts are among the complaints from consumers.
HEALTH CARE & WELLBEING:
Leaving hospital to go home: patient leaflet
Leaflet given to patients before they’re discharged to their usual place of residence.
Hospital discharge: leaflet for patients when they enter hospital
Leaflet given to patients when they are admitted to hospital to prepare them for discharge.
Leaving hospital to go to another place of care: patient leaflet
Leaflet given to patients before they are discharged to another place of care.
Overview of adult social care guidance on coronavirus (COVID-19)
Information for adult social care providers on COVID-19 guidance and support – updated guidance links in the section ‘Supporting staff members at higher risk from COVID-19’, removed section on when to furlough workers and edited section on ‘Managing workers with suspected or confirmed COVID-19’.
Overview of adult social care guidance on coronavirus (COVID-19)
Information for adult social care providers on COVID-19 guidance and support.
HOSPITALITY / LEISURE:
Over 64 million meals claimed for as Eat Out to Help Out enters fourth week
The government scheme designed to accelerate the recovery of the hospitality industry after COVID-19 has seen over 64 million meals claimed across the country. The government’s Eat Out to Help Out discount scheme, which is entering its fourth week, has seen millions of customers return to restaurants and eateries around the UK in a bid to support 1.8 million jobs in the hospitality sector. Figures issued today have shown that during Eat Out to Help Out’s third week the number of customers at UK restaurants was 61 per cent higher than the same days last year on average for Monday to Wednesday.
HMRC coronavirus (COVID-19) statistics
HMRC data about the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme, and the VAT payments deferral scheme – updated weekly data (up to end of Sunday 23 August) for the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme.
Hospitality webinar
Watch the latest update webinar on the hospitality sector in Stockport here
Support for hospitality sector
If you would like any further advice regarding licensed premises, please contact: district.standards@stockport.gov.uk
PROPERTY:
Rightmove: demand rising across all parts of the UK
Data from Rightmove shows that demand is up 61 per cent compared to the same period last year – and the portal attributes much of this to the stamp duty holiday.
The top performing regions are the South East and East of England, each up by more than 70 per cent, but across all regions the percentage growth in demand is outstripping the growth in new supply. In the North West, the average asking price of a property was £210,438, listings up by 12% with an increase in demand of over 50%. Available stock was down by -18%.
Rental sector relatively strong despite Covid and eviction issues
The latest survey of buy to let landlords suggests a relatively healthy private rental sector notwithstanding the challenges of the Coronavirus and the evictions ban.
The survey – by Vesta and Property Tribes – was conducted amongst 157 landlords between June 23 and August 21 and showed that 35 per cent received a request from a tenant for a rent reduction or payment holiday because of Covid-19.
New agency model attracting 100+ new recruits
The battle between rival self-employed agent business models continues apace with eXp UK – set up last autumn – announcing it now has 100 people operating in the UK. Yesterday a Keller Williams UK market centre issued a statement saying it had 50 self-employed agents; now it’s the turn of eXp to publicise its rapid growth and new recruits. eXp UK is an agency brand with roots in the US but is an independent operation in the United Kingdom led by Adam Day, a veteran of three online estate agencies. “We’re really pleased that so many brilliant and experienced agents are seeing the value in the proposition” says Day.
Demand on the rise for UK property from Chinese market
Chinese buyers continue to show interest in the UK property market, making 213% more enquiries in July. This follows a double-digit decline in Q2 2020 during the height of the coronavirus pandemic. Chinese demand for UK property soared in July after plummeting between April and June, with the recent stamp duty holiday providing a further boost. Chinese buyers have fears of higher stamp duty in 2021 so are looking to act early. Georg Chmiel, executive chairman at Juwai IQI, Asia’s biggest PropTech group, commented: “Anyone who can bring their transaction forward to 2020 from next year or even later is doing so. Not only will the holiday expire, but foreign buyer stamp duty rates are set to climb by 2% next year.”
TRAVEL:
Lufthansa Group scraps rebooking fees for remainder of 2020
All passengers with tickets on Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian Airlines and Brussels Airlines will be able to change their travel date until the end of December 2020 free of charge. This includes the airlines’ lowest fares without checked baggage.
A spokesperson said: “The Lufthansa Group airlines recognise their customers’ needs for flexible travel arrangements and this new regulation applies to all new bookings on short, medium and long-haul routes worldwide.
Covid-19 webinars:
#TfNTalks: Business Priorities for the North of England
Friday 28th August | 3pm – 4pm
Join us for our next #TfNTalks discussion – a brand new #TfNTalks free webinar event, all about business priorities in the North! Register now to make sure you don’t miss the discussion! This session aims to bring together voices from across the North to understand what the priorities are for businesses. The current Covid-19 crisis has provided a new challenge, but how much will this impact on existing longer term priorities, and has it reshaped them in any way.
Full details for joining a Zoom call on desktop or mobile can be found here.
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.
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)
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/
ACAS
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.
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