!! Important update: Additional Restrictions Grant Discretionary grant scheme
Applications are now closed: Funds for the Additional Restrictions Grant Discretionary grant scheme have been allocated and applications for the scheme are now closed
UK NEWS UPDATES:
UK economy bounces back with 7.5% growth last year
The UK economy rebounded last year with growth of 7.5% despite falling back in December due to Omicron restrictions, official figures show. It was the fastest pace of growth since 1941, although it came after a dramatic 9.4% collapse in 2020 as the pandemic forced parts of the economy to shut. In December, the economy shrank 0.2% as Omicron restrictions hit the hospitality and retail sectors.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak said the economy had been “remarkably resilient”.
The figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed that in the last three months of 2021 growth was 1%, which ONS director of economic statistics Darren Morgan said was “pretty healthy” given Omicron’s spread. The ONS numbers exceeded many economists’ predictions, with their average forecasts of 7.3% growth for the year and a 0.5% contraction in December.
Italy is easing its strict outdoor mask mandate amid falling infections and hospitalisations.
The tough Covid restrictions were introduced in December as the Omicron variant spread rapidly across Europe and required Italians to wear face masks in all outdoor areas where social distancing was not possible.
Health Minister Roberto Speranza signed the relaxation of the rules into law on Tuesday, though masks will still be required in some crowded areas and at indoor public venues.
Spain relaxes rules for unvaccinated UK teenagers
Unvaccinated British teenagers will be allowed into Spain from Monday with a negative PCR test, Spanish tourism minister Fernando Valdés has told the BBC.
At the moment everyone over 12 has to be double jabbed to enter the country.
Some families had already cancelled half term holidays to Spain and the Canary Islands because their children had not yet had their second jab. People aged 18 and over must still be vaccinated to get into the country. Mr Valdés said that 12-to-17-year-olds who have not been vaccinated against Covid will be allowed into the country from Monday 14 February, if they present a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of arrival to Spain. The restrictions will be lifted from 23:00 GMT on 13 February. All other UK travellers, excluding children under 12, will need to present a Covid certificate showing proof of being fully vaccinated at least 14 days before arrival in Spain.
REGIONAL & LOCAL NEWS:
Stockport among 60 LAs to receive support from High Streets Task Force
Stockport will receive a package of expert advice and support to deliver long-term transformation within in the town, the High Streets Task Force has announced. Stockport is one of 68 local authorities across England set to receive the assistance of the High Streets Task Force to address local challenges affecting high streets in the borough. The Task Force, which was appointed by government in 2019, will provide these locations with expert consultancy and training, working directly with local government and facilitating engagement with communities and civic societies.
Businesses create hundreds of opportunities in National Apprenticeship Week
Companies from across the North West have been marking the 15th annual National Apprenticeship Week over the last few days. Businesses of all sizes have been in touch with BusinessLive with news about how they are supporting apprentices as well as announcing plans to create more opportunities in the future. Among the firms to shine a light on apprentices this week were some of the largest companies in the region such as EG Group, Lookers and Electricity North West.
Robinsons appoints first pub manager from apprenticeship programme
Stockport’s Robinsons Brewery has marked National Apprenticeship Week by highlighting the success of the family-run business’ first pub manager to progress from its apprenticeship programme. Robinsons’ Aspire apprenticeship programme launched in January 2019 to provide a learning and development programme centred around hospitality and enhanced with bespoke training for brewery colleagues. William Bassett started as a team member 5 years ago (at 26 years old) at Robinsons’ Royal Ship pub (pictured above when he first joined Robinsons). He has now taken over as General Manager at the Wynnstay Arms in Ruabon in North Wales this week, after gaining a wealth of experience and knowledge during his apprenticeship programme. Will was in Robinsons Brewery’s first cohort, and after completing Level 3 Hospitality supervision is now continuing his journey in his apprenticeship programme qualifying for Level 4 Hospitality Management.
Ten half-term vaccination clinics across Stockport Ten more pop up COVID-19 vaccination clinics will be open across Stockport this February half-term from Monday, 14 February, to Friday, 18 February. There will be a choice of two clinics each day. It’s an ideal time for those who are 12-17 years of age to get their vaccination whilst school and college are out.
SECTOR SPECIFIC CORONAVIRUS-RELATED NEWS:
BUSINESS:
Help and support if your business is affected by coronavirus (COVID-19)
Watch a webinar and sign up for email alerts to learn more about the support available if your business is affected by COVID-19 – The video about how to report coronavirus (COVID-19) taxable grants and payments has been updated.
COMMUNITY:
Finding and choosing a private coronavirus (COVID-19) test provider
Lists of and information about private test providers, to help you get the private COVID-19 tests you need.
How to do a coronavirus (COVID-19) rapid lateral flow test
Find out how to do a rapid lateral flow test for COVID-19 and report the results. Rapid tests are usually for people without symptoms of COVID-19.
How to do a coronavirus (COVID-19) saliva test
Find out how to do a COVID-19 saliva (spit) test and how you will get your result. Saliva tests are for people who do not have symptoms of COVID-19.
CONSTRUCTION:
Work exceeds pre-pandemic level after 13% rise in output in 2021
Construction activity has overtaken its pre-pandemic level after output rebounded 12.7% last year. Official figures from the Office of National Statistics show construction enjoyed an r-shaped rebound in output from the pandemic, helped by the industry’s big effort to return to work after the first shutdown. Latest order figures also indicate the growth trend is set to continue albeit at lower rates despite inflationary pressures. In the last quarter of 2021, total order levels jumped 9.2% on the previous three months.
HEALTH & WELLBEING:
National flu and COVID-19 surveillance reports published
Weekly national influenza and coronavirus (COVID-19) report, COVID-19 activity, seasonal flu and other seasonal respiratory illnesses.
Assessment and procurement of coronavirus (COVID-19) tests
How the government assesses offers of COVID-19 tests from developers for procurement and use in the UK – updated list of lateral flow devices that have passed evaluation.
Weekly statistics for NHS Test and Trace (England)
Experimental statistics from the NHS Test and Trace service and related documents.
COVID-19 variants: genomically confirmed case numbers
Genomically confirmed case numbers for SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern and variants under investigation – added data up to 9 February 2022.
HOSPITALITY:
Drinkers shun beer during pandemic
UK beer sales plunged during the pandemic as people avoided pubs and drank wine and spirits at home instead, industry analysis suggests. Pubs, bars and restaurants lost £5.7bn of revenue from beer sales in 2021 alone, according to the British Beer and Pub Association, which is calling for a cut in beer duty to help it recover. The Treasury says it froze beer duty for a fourth year, saving brewers £900m. In 2021, pubs, bars, restaurants and clubs served the equivalent of 1.4 billion pints less, the trade body said.
PROPERTY:
UK rents hit £1,000 per month as living costs squeeze households
Average UK rents have risen to almost £1,000 per month – £62 more than at the start of the pandemic, according to Zoopla figures. The portal’s quarterly Rental Market Report shows soaring rents against a backdrop of increased living costs squeezing households. Zoopla data shows the UK’s average rental growth has reached a 13-year high – up 8.3% in Q4 2021. This means households who agree new lets are now having to pay an additional average annual cost of £744, compared to the start of the pandemic (March 2020).
RETAIL:
Bisnow.com: Retail sales surge in JanuaryDespite the impact of the
Despite the impact of the coronavirus’ omicron variant and an elevated inflation rate, consumers are out spending. Overall retail sales were up 7.2% in January compared with the same month last year, according to the latest Mastercard SpendingPulse report, which measures in-store and online retail sales across all forms of payment. Compared with January 2019, total retail sales were up 22.1%.
TRANSPORT:
TRAVEL:
Travel to England from another country during coronavirus (COVID-19)
Check what COVID-19 tests you need to take and the self-isolation rules for travel to England – you do not need to take any COVID-19 travel tests or self-isolate on arrival in England if you qualify as fully vaccinated as of 4:00am, 11 February 2022
Check if you qualify as fully vaccinated for travel to England: approved vaccines and proofs of vaccination
Approved vaccines and list of countries and territories with approved COVID-19 proof of vaccination for travel to England – Algeria, Cape Verde, China, El Salvador, Guatemala, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Macao, Mexico, São Tomé and Principe, South Sudan, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Turkmenistan added to list of countries and territories with approved COVID-19 proof of vaccination for travel to England.
UK’s new travel rules take flight
Fully vaccinated passengers no longer need to take a COVID-19 test when arriving in the UK
GOV & BBC UK daily coronavirus data:
There have been 18 million confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK and almost 160,000 people have died, government figures show. Over 52 million people have now received a first dose of the vaccine, 91% of people in the UK aged 12 and over. More than 48 million, 85% have had their second and more than 37 million, 65% have had a booster.
*Government case figures now include people in England and Northern Ireland who have tested positive for a second time – after at least a 90-day gap – rather than just first infections.
Total UK Cases: 18,162,119 positive tests
Latest UK daily figure: 66,638 new cases
Number in UK hospital: 13,126 (463 less than on previous day)
New deaths across UK: 206
Total UK deaths: 159,158
England Cases per 100,000: 805
R number in UK: 0.8-1.1
Vaccine data:
Total 1st doses given: 52,468,730 – 91% of UK aged 12+
Total 2nd doses: 84%
Daily 1st doses: 10,523
Daily 2nd doses: 24,725
Daily Booster doses: 32,476
The R value and growth rate
The latest reproduction number (R) and growth rate of coronavirus (COVID-19).
The R range for England is 0.8 to 1.1; the growth rate for England is -3% to +1% per day as of 4 February
Latest Stockport coronavirus data:
Total Stockport cases: 89,016 to 8 February
Cases in the latest week: 1,796 (763 less compared with previous week)
Total deaths: 838 to January 28th
Cases per 100,000: 610 per 100,000 (31 Jan to 6 Feb)
Stockport vaccine data:
1st dose: 86% of over 12s to 9 February
2nd dose: 81%
3rd / booster dose: 65%
Covid-19 Webinars:
Brexit Webinars:
Exporting: Actions you need to take now: An overview of the actions you need to take now before you export goods from Great Britain to the EU and move goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Key processes include – staged border controls, zero-rated VAT, customs declaration, using an intermediary as well as licences, certificates, and authorisations. Please register to take part if you’re planning to export.
Trader responsibilities when using an intermediary: You now need to complete import or export declarations to trade goods with the EU. These are complex and a lot of businesses choose to use an intermediary to do these for them. This webinar explains your responsibilities as a trader if you choose to use an intermediary. Please register to take part if you’re planning to import or export.
What are customs import declarations?: If you import goods, you now need to make customs import declarations on controlled goods and all goods by the end of June. This webinar will help you understand what they are in more detail. This includes what is needed for simplified declarations, supplementary declarations, how to make them, and delayed import declarations. Please register to take part if you’re planning to import.
Importing: Staged controls and how to prepare to use them: This webinar will walk you through the three stages of the new border controls introduced on 1?? ?January?? ?2021, and what actions you need to take for each stage. Please register to take part if you’re planning to import.
LATEST LINKS:
Home workers can claim £26 tax relief for job expenses
If you’ve asked your employees to work from home, and you’ve not reimbursed them already, your employees may be entitled to claim tax relief on additional household expenses they’ve incurred, such as heating and lighting.
New hotline launched to report COVID fraudsters
A new hotline has been launched to stop fraudsters illegally targeting COVID stimulus schemes.
If you would like to register your interest in creating one or more Kickstart Job, please complete the Kickstart Employer Enquiry Form and a member of the Council’s Kickstart Team will contact you to explain more.
Visit the Stockport Council website to report details of any outbreaks online.
https://www.stockport.gov.uk/coronavirus-in-stockport/report-a-coronavirus-outbreak
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.
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.
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
Stockport Council’s FREE job matching website helps 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
Stockport Council – Health & Mental Well-being https://www.stockport.gov.uk/showcase/coronavirus
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.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
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
Business Growth Hub:
www.businessgrowthhub.com/coronavirus https://www.businessgrowthhub.com/coronavirus/resources/2020/03/coronavirus-business-support-webinar-series
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.
Health updates:
Health – updates from NHS
https://www.england.nhs.uk/news/
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.
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.
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