ARG and Localities Grants – open for applications
Stockport Council are working out the details of new Covid related business grant schemes based on the government guidance that has just been released to them so will shortly publish the full details of eligibility, application processes and requirements, as well as grant payment levels on the following Council web page as soon as possible – Coronavirus (COVID-19) support for businesses and employees – Stockport Council
Discretionary Grant Scheme:
Following the government announcement on 21 December 2021 regarding financial support for the hospitality sector, Stockport Council is continuing to accept applications for the Additional Restrictions Grant. Applications received from 21st December 2021 will be subject to further review against the detailed guidance from government and may therefore not be successful.
Specific financial support for the hospitality and leisure sector
The government has announced further financial support for businesses in the hospitality and leisure sector. This includes a one-off grant of up to £6,000 per premises. SMBC will publish information about qualifying criteria and how businesses can claim the grant on their website HERE
Please check the Council’s Coronavirus (Covid-19) support for businesses and employers web pages regularly to see the latest information available about the grant support available and how to access it – Financial support for businesses and employers
UK NEWS UPDATES:
Armed Forces personnel into NHS hospitals to plug staff shortages.
The Ministry of Defence will provide 40 defence medics and 160 general duty personnel for the next three weeks. Hospitals in London have been hit hard by staff absences, with thousands off sick or isolating as the Omicron variant surged through the capital. Pressure on London hospitals has increased over the past month, with 4,000 patients currently in hospital with Covid compared with 1,100 in early December.
REGIONAL & LOCAL NEWS:
Insider: North-west motor dealer reports record profits in exceptional year
Motor retail and aftersales service group Lookers is set to post record underlying profit before tax and aims to restore dividends alongside its full-year results. The business also updated on an ongoing strategic review. Underlying profit before tax for the year to 31 December is set to be ahead of company compiled market consensus of £82m. The business also hailed its strong balance sheet, with net cash of approximately £8m at the year-end and property with a book value of £303.9m.
Chief executive Mark Raban said: “2021 was an exceptional year for Lookers and we now expect to beat our previous estimates with record profit for the year. This is a great achievement by the whole team in a year which brought many external challenges, including Covid and vehicle shortages, demonstrating the strength of our proposition. With net cash at the year end, we have a strong balance sheet and good capacity to invest in future growth opportunities.”
Northern PE market records highest value year in a decade
Deal making across the North of England has soared throughout 2021, with private equity houses completing almost 60 deals worth £19.1bn in the last 12 months.
Data from CMBOR, the Centre for Private Equity and MBO Research and funded by Equistone Partners Europe as an exclusive sponsor, reveals that the total value of deals in the North this year is the highest in the decade since the research began. Year-on-year, 2021 deal values accounts for five times more than the £3.7bn recorded in 2020 and is more than ten times higher than the £1.5bn in 2019. According to CMBORs first full-year data announcement since its establishment within Nottingham University Business School deal, volume is also on the up in Northern regions, with the highest number of deals completed since 2014.
PE houses completed 31 deals in the North West during the year, accumulating a total value of £3.23bn.
Plans revealed for pedestrian ramp link at new transport interchange
Stockport Council and Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) have revealed a proposed spiral ramp to offer unique pedestrian access between the River Mersey and a new park atop the town centre’s new transport interchange, currently under construction. A public consultation on the proposals has launched on 6th January to give Stockport residents the chance to have their say on the plans and will run until Sunday 6th February 2022. The 189-metre ramp will connect the rooftop park with the transport interchange’s enhanced riverside frontage and the Trans Pennine Trail walking and cycling route which follows the route of the Mersey through Stockport. The route will also connect with the wider Bee Network of walking and cycling routes planned to improve pedestrian links across Greater Manchester.
GOV & BBC UK daily data:
There have been more than 14 million confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK and more than 149,000 people have died, government figures show. Nearly 52 million people have now received a first dose of the vaccine, 90% of people in the UK aged 12 and over. 83% have had their second and 60% have had a booster.
Total UK Cases: 14,015,065 positive tests
Latest UK daily figure: 179,756 new cases
Number in UK hospital: 17,988 (693 more than on previous day)
New deaths across UK: 231
Total UK deaths: 149,515
England Cases per 100,000: 1,729
R number in UK: 0.9 to 1.1
Vaccine data:
Total 1st doses given: 51,874,548 – 90% of UK aged 12+
Total 2nd doses: 83%
Daily 1st doses: 29,030
Daily 2nd doses: 41,664
Daily Booster doses: 247,478
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 1.2
Latest Stockport coronavirus data:
Total Stockport cases: 71,132 to 6 January
Cases in the latest week: 6,953 (+1,628 compared with previous week)
Total deaths: 810 to December 24th (+3 on previous week)
Cases per 100,000: 2,363 per 100,000
Stockport vaccine data:
1st dose: 85% of over 12s to 3 January
2nd dose: 79%
3rd / booster dose: 61%
STOCKPORT GRANT SCHEMES:
ARG Grant data as at 17/12/2021:
Applications received: 341
Applications allocated: 45%
Value of Grants issued: £450,500
Locality Boost Grant data as at 17/12/2021:
Applications received: 22
Applications processed / in process: 95%
SECTOR SPECIFIC CORONAVIRUS-RELATED NEWS:
BUSINESS:
Government delivers funding to local autrhorities for Omicrin support grants
The UK government has begun delivering £700 million of funding for local authorities in England to provide additional financial support and grants to businesses affected by the Omicron Covid-19 variant. The funding will allow for local councils to begin providing the dedicated support for the hospitality and leisure sector, which has seen decreased footfall and high levels of cancellations in recent weeks due to the spread of the Omicron variant of the virus. The scheme, announced by the Chancellor in December 2021, will allow businesses in these sectors to access a one-off grant of up to £6,000 per premises. A further £100 million will also be provided to local authorities to continue to provide discretionary grant funding via schemes previously established. These schemes, in addition to the reintroduction of the Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme and extension of the Culture Recovery Fund, will see £1 billion of support for businesses in the wake of the Omicron variant spread.
Coronavirus (COVID-19): jobs that qualify for travel exemptions
Jobs that qualify for exemptions from quarantine, passenger locator form or COVID testing requirements – you do not need to take a test before travel to England or quarantine on arrival if you qualify as fully vaccinated for travel to England. Coronavirus grant funding: local authority payments to small and medium businesses
Local authority allocations added for payments made under the Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant and the Additional Restrictions Grant, Top-up Payment 3.
CARE:
Coronavirus (COVID-19) testing for adult social care settings
Outlines the COVID-19 testing available for testing staff, residents and visitors for all adult social care settings – removed on-site testing and self-test attachments and added ‘Step-by-step guide to COVID-19 self-testing: SureScreen 25 pack nose-only test’.
COMMUNITY:
PCR home testing for people eligible for new COVID-19 treatments
If you’re eligible for a new COVID-19 treatment, follow this guide on how to do a PCR test at home and register your test kit – added video showing how to do a PCR home test.
Minimum standards for private sector providers of COVID-19 testing
Sets out the minimum standards that providers must meet to be listed as a private sector coronavirus (COVID-19) testing provider – revised minimum standards for providers on day 2 lateral flow tests for international arrivals, to reflect travel testing changes coming into force from 7 January.
COVID-19: guidance for households with possible coronavirus infection
Stay at home guidance for households with possible coronavirus (COVID-19) infection – updated title of the ending isolation infographic and clarified that self-isolation advice applies to children and young people.
Guidance for parents and carers of children attending out-of-school settings during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
Updated guidance in line with the UKHSA announcement about confirmatory PCR tests and clarifying that children can return to school after day 7 if they’ve had 2 negative LFD tests.
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 – updated the general list of providers.
Moving home during coronavirus (COVID-19)
Guidance for those working within the home buying and selling process and those moving home – advice amended to reflect new guidance on ending self isolation
COVID-19: provision of night shelters
Operating principles for commissioners and providers of night shelters for people experiencing rough sleeping – amended to reflect new guidance on ending self isolation.
Coronavirus and the social impacts on Great Britain: 7 January 2021
Indicators from the Opinions and Lifestyle Survey to understand the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on people, households and communities in Great Britain.
EDUCATION:
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 – updated the ‘Rapid asymptomatic testing in specialist settings’ guidance in line with the UKHSA announcement about confirmatory PCR tests.
How to complete the educational setting status form
This data will help the government monitor the impact of coronavirus (COVID-19) on settings, focus support more effectively and keep children safe – updated list of sub-codes to say that code Y can be used for non-attendance due to exceptional staff absences or unavailability of transport due to COVID-19.
Protective measures for holiday or after-school clubs and other out-of-school settings for children during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
Updated guidance in line with the UKHSA announcement about confirmatory PCR tests and clarifying that children can return to school after day 7 if they’ve had 2 negative LFD tests.
HEALTHCARE & WELLBEING:
Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance for children’s social care services
Advice about coronavirus (COVID-19) for local authorities and their partners to help support and protect vulnerable children – updated guidance in line with the UKHSA announcement about confirmatory PCR tests.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines adverse reactions
A weekly report covering adverse reactions to approved COVID-19 vaccines – updated the report to include data up to and including 22 December 2021.
Excess mortality in England: weekly reports
Weekly excess mortality in England – broken down by age, sex, geographical area, ethnic group, level of deprivation, cause of death and place of death.
COVID-19 vaccine weekly surveillance reports (weeks 39 to 1, 2021 to 2022)
Data on the real-world effectiveness and impact of the COVID-19 vaccines – added COVID-19 vaccine surveillance report: 6 January 2022 (week 1).
Minimum standards for private sector providers of COVID-19 testing
Sets out the minimum standards that providers must meet to be listed as a private sector coronavirus (COVID-19) testing provider – revised further to reflect travel testing changes coming into force from 7 January.
RETAIL:
Omicron wipes out retail recovery as December footfall falls
Much of the progress which had been made in attracting shoppers back to stores during the latter half of 2021 was wiped out during December amid the surge in Omicron cases, BRC figures reveal. With restrictions including the reintroduction of face coverings and renewed work-from-home guidance, consumers were staying at home and completing much of their Christmas shopping online. As a result, the total UK December footfall was 18.6% lower than the same month in 2019 and well below the three-month average decline of 16.4%, according to BRC-Sensormatic IQ data.
TRAVEL:
Coronavirus (COVID-19) testing before you travel to England
You may need proof of a negative COVID-19 test to travel to England from abroad – if you qualify as fully vaccinated for travel to England, you do not need to take a COVID-19 test before travel to England.
Covid-19 Webinars:
ACAS – run a series of courses to help businesses with transition from lockdown
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.
Kickstart Scheme
The Kickstart Scheme provides funding to employers to create job placements for 16 to 24 year olds.
Kickstart Scheme terms and conditions
Kickstart Scheme terms and conditions for employers and gateways receiving the Kickstart Scheme grant from the Department for Work and Pensions.
Kickstart Scheme employer resources
If you’ve been offered Kickstart Scheme funding, you can use these resources to show your support for the scheme.
Kickstart Scheme employer contacts
List of regional contacts for employers applying for a grant through the Kickstart Scheme.
Apply for a Kickstart Scheme grant: 30 or more job placements
If you are an employer looking to create 30 or more jobs placements for young people, apply for funding as part of the Kickstart Scheme.
Apply for a Kickstart Scheme grant: 29 or less job placements
If you are an employer looking to create 29 or less jobs placements for young people, apply for funding as part of the Kickstart Scheme.
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