GOV & BBC UK daily data:
Total UK Cases: 6,757,650 positive tests
Latest UK daily figure: 26,476 new cases
New deaths across UK: 48
Total UK deaths: 132,485
Number of people in hospital 6,942 (22 more than on previous day)
England cases per 100,000: 315
R number in England: 0.9 – 1.2
UK Vaccine data:
Total 1st doses given: 48,024,928 – more than 88% of UK adults
Total 2nd doses: 42,072,712 / 79% of UK adults
Daily 1st doses: 23,612
Daily 2nd doses: 78,871
There have been more than 6.7 million confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK and mor ethan 132,000 people have died, government figures show. However, these figures include only people who have died within 28 days of testing positive for coronavirus. More than 89m vaccine doses have been received across the UK and more than 88% of people aged 16 and over have now had their first dose of a coronavirus vaccine and some 42 million, nearly 79% aged 16 and over have had their second.
Latest Stockport data:
Total cases: 33,720 to 27 August
Cases in latest week: 1,027 (91 more than previous week)
Total deaths: 745 registered to 13 August
Stockport cases per 100,000 349 per 100,000 (17 Aug to 23 Aug)
R number in North-West: 0.9 to 1.1
Stockport vaccine data:
1st dose 85% of adults to 26 August
2nd dose: 78%
The R value and growth rate
The latest reproduction number (R) and growth rate of coronavirus (COVID-19) – the R range for England is 1.0 to 1.1 and the growth rate range for England is 0% to +2% per day as of 27 August 2021.
Slides, datasets and transcripts to accompany coronavirus press conferences
Updated with slides to accompany coronavirus press conferences
UK NEWS UPDATES:
UK business confidence hits four-year high with North West coming on top
British business confidence hit highs not seen since April 2017 on hopes the economy is recovering strongly to pre-pandemic levels, according to a survey. Employers in England’s North West and East registered the biggest jump in confidence, the latest Lloyds Bank Business Barometer found. There was caution among companies about inflation and staff shortages. But firms in manufacturing, services and construction all posted greater optimism that recovery would continue. The monthly survey of 1,200 firms, conducted between 2 and 16 August, also saw business confidence in Northern Ireland turn positive after a negative response in July’s poll.
Multi-million-pound boost for first time buyers with new government funding package.
The government has today (August 31) allocated £8.6bn to creating affordable housing in a bid to support people onto the property ladder. The Affordable Homes Programme funding is set to deliver around 119,000 homes, including 57,000 for ownership, 29,600 for social rent and 6,250 affordable rural homes. Around half of the new homes from the funding will be available for affordable home ownership. The funding will also deliver nearly 30,000 homes for social rent, which are typically 50-60 per cent of market prices. It is expected that the investment could support up to 370,000 jobs across the country for homebuilders and SME developers, as well as wider businesses supporting the house building industry such as electricians and plumbers.
Nike gives head office staff a week off to support health & wellbeing
Staff at Nike’s corporate headquarters in Oregon have been given a week off to support their mental health, ahead of the return to the office in September. From today until Friday, the US firm will “power down” to give employees a rest after a tough year. “Take the time to unwind, destress and spend time with your loved ones,” the firm’s head of insights Matt Marrazzo said in a message to staff. It follows similar moves from dating app Bumble and Linkedin. A growing number of employees have reported feeling burnt out as the pandemic drags on and many continue to work from home. Big US firms such as Apple, Uber and bank Wells Fargo have also delayed plans for staff to return to the office as infections surge across the US.
Taste for takeaways outlasts lockdown
Nearly a quarter of people are spending more on takeaways and food deliveries now than before the pandemic, according to market research group Mintel. Prior to Covid, Britons were spending around £38 per month each on takeaways, home deliveries and meal kits, according to accountancy firm KPMG, a trend that was already growing. But between spring 2020 and spring 2021 average monthly spend per person reached £53.
New rules for holiday destinations
Seven destinations have joined the green list as part of a review of travel restrictions. The changes to the traffic light system, which sets out the rules for arrivals, also see two countries added to the red list. How are the green, amber and red lists changing? Canada and Switzerland are among those added to the green list They are joined by Denmark, Finland, Lithuania, Liechtenstein and the Azores. Travellers arriving from these destinations will no longer need to quarantine. They join other popular destinations on the green list including Malta, Barbados and Germany. Meanwhile Thailand and Montenegro will join the red list.
Data informing international travel traffic-light risk assessments: 26 August 2021
A summary of key data used by the Joint Biosecurity Centre (JBC) to inform country risk assessments.
Extra COVID-19 support deployed to parts of the South West
Additional support will be deployed to local authorities in the South West of England in response to growing COVID-19 cases in the region.
REGIONAL & LOCAL NEWS:
Coronavirus infection rates surge in nine of Greater Manchester’s boroughs. Manchester is currently the only local area where rates are falling week-on-week, according to the latest data from Public Health England. The infection rate in the region is now higher than the national average, which is 314.7 cases per 100,000 people. In Stockport, the latest infection rate is 343.6 cases per 100,000 people and the number of cases has gone up by four per cent. A total of 1011 people tested positive for Covid in Stockport over the seven days ending on August 26, which is 41 more than the week before.
Temporary Nightingale courts and extra court capacity
A list of additional courtrooms set up to support the justice system – Salford Lowry Nightingale court is closing as venue hire contract comes to an end.
SECTOR SPECIFIC CORONAVIRUS-RELATED NEWS:
BUSINESS:
COVID-19 Response: Summer 2021
The government has published the ‘Moving to Step 4 of the roadmap’ document. This sets out the essential actions that everybody should take to protect themselves and others while prevalence is high, as we transition towards learning to live with COVID-19. The ‘COVID-19 Response: Summer 2021’ sets out the shape of step 4 of the roadmap.
Coronavirus England briefing, 27 August 2021
Latest epidemiological data used by the government to brief MPs on the roadmap out of lockdown and to inform local and national decision-making in response to coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreaks.
COVID-19 test approval: how to apply
How test manufacturers or distributors can apply for approval of their tests to sell on the UK market – added an email address (CTDA@dhsc.gov.uk) for those having difficulty with the payment methods.
Coronavirus (COVID-19): jobs that qualify for travel exemptions
Jobs that qualify for exemptions from quarantine, passenger locator form or COVID testing requirements – updated red list rules for Montenegro for drivers of HGVs.
CARE:
Coronavirus (COVID-19) testing for adult day care centre workers and service users
Sets out how eligible adult day care centres in England can order, test and register regular PCR and lateral flow tests for all staff and service users – updated the guidance in ‘Regular testing for adult day care centres in England’ on what constitutes a contact and the appropriate procedures in health and social care settings.
COMMUNITY:
Coronavirus (COVID-19): getting tested
Guidance on coronavirus (COVID-19) testing, including who is eligible for a test and how to get tested – updated to add a link to the NHS Test and Trace enquires and feedback portal.
COVID-19: arranging or attending a funeral or commemorative event
Guidance for arranging or attending a funeral or commemorative event during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Guidance for contacts of people with confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) infection who do not live with the person
Guidance for contacts of a person with a positive test result for coronavirus (COVID-19) who do not live with that person.
COVID-19: guidance for households with possible coronavirus infection
Stay at home guidance for households with possible coronavirus (COVID-19) infection.
EDUCATION:
Early years inspection handbook
Ofsted guidance on inspecting registered early years and childcare providers under the education inspection framework – see ‘Summary of changes’ document.
Special schools and other specialist settings: coronavirus (COVID-19)
What all special schools and other specialist settings will need to do during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak – ‘SEND and specialist settings: additional COVID-19 operational guidance’ – updated information on CO2 monitors in the ‘Control measures: Keep occupied spaces well ventilated’ section.
Actions for FE colleges and providers during the coronavirus outbreak
Find out what you’ll need to do during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak to maintain provision – ‘Further education COVID-19 operational guidance’ – updated information on CO2 monitors in the ‘Control measures: Keep occupied spaces well ventilated’ section.
Actions for schools during the coronavirus outbreak
What all schools will need to do during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic – updated information on CO2 monitors in the ‘Control measures: Keep occupied spaces well ventilated’ section.
Protective measures for holiday or after-school clubs and other out-of-school settings for children during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
Protective measures for providers of community activities, holiday or after-school clubs, tuition and other out-of-school settings offering provision to children during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak – updated information on CO2 monitors in the ‘Control measures: Keep occupied spaces well ventilated’ section.
Ofsted’s plans: 2021
Guidance and details of our plans from January 2021 as part of a phased return to full inspection – updated the ‘Non-association independent schools’ section to clarify that the inspection cycle will be extended by 4 terms.
HEALTH & WELLBEING:
Coronavirus data informing local and national decision-making
The Joint Biosecurity Centre (JBC) provides evidence-based, objective analysis to inform local and national decision-making in response to COVID-19 outbreaks.
PROPERTY:
Virtual Right To Rent – Government issues new guidance
Virtual Right To Rent checks by agents, which were to have been illegal from just next week, are now permissible until April 5 2022. The last-minute U-turn is just the latest about-face from the Home Office, which originally wanted the virtual checks to be abandoned in May this year, then in June, and most recently on August 31 – now they have been reprieved until next spring, having been introduced as Covid-safe alternatives to face-to-face meetings. Until April 5 2022 agents and landlords can perform online video identity checks and accept digital/scanned copies of Right to Rent documentation.
RETAIL:
ASDA owners to open 300 convenience stores on petrol forecourts
The billionaire Issa brothers are set to make their mark as Asda’s new owners by reportedly planning to open over 300 Asda convenience stores across their EG Group estate. According to The Sunday Times, Mohsin and Zuber Issa are planning to roll out “Asda on the Move” stores to 400 UK forecourts, following a successful trial of five of these sites. The brothers acquired the Big 4 grocer last year with private equity firm TDR Capital after Walmart agreed to a £6.8 billion sale.
TRANSPORT:
Government considers early review in bid to tackle HGV driver shortage
To address the issue of HGV driver shortages, the government is considering moving up a review of its Shortage of Occupation list, PA news reports. Following an exodus of drivers from EU countries who returned to their home countries amid the pandemic and stayed, supermarkets and suppliers are failing to meet demand.
This is coupled with the health crisis bringing DVLA testing centres to a standstill, creating a huge backlog of drivers taking their HGV test.
Transport social research and evaluation
Social research and evaluation reports, guidance and toolkits which help shape policy and operational delivery across the Department for Transport – addition of Aviation and maritime careers: young people’s perceptions.
Carry out international road haulage
What UK goods vehicle operators need to do to carry out international road haulage – added information about new rules for transporting goods to or through Europe from 2022, and a link to more information.
TRAVEL:
Red, amber, green lists: check the rules for travel to England from abroad
Countries listed as red, amber or green for coronavirus (COVID-19) and the rules you must follow for travel to England – Montenegro and Thailand has moved to the red list. The Azores, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Liechtenstein, Lithuania and Switzerland will move to the green list.
Day 2 and day 8 testing for international arrivals: minimum standards for providers
Sets out the minimum standards that private sector providers must meet for the COVID-19 tests for people arriving in England – under ‘4. Reporting of coronavirus test results, as a notifiable disease’, removed the passenger locator form reference from the additional data fields list.
Data informing international travel risk assessments
Summaries to date of the key data used by the Joint Biosecurity Centre (JBC) to inform international travel risk assessments.
Inflation rose to 3.8% in July 
Stockport businesses invited to talk social value at Proper Good Business Club 
UK GDP grew 0.3% in three months from April to June 2025