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.
Latest UK data:
Total tests: 10,777,399 tests have been taken or mailed out
Positive tests: 286,349 have tested positive + 581 in last 24 hours
Loss of life: 44,391 across all settings +155
Cases in Stockport: *1,626 positive tests – + 1
*new data now shows the results of all testing, Pillar 1 in hospital and Pilar 2 drive through test centres and swab results by post).
Data from the ONS shows that fewer than one in 2,000 now has the virus as the slow decline in case numbers continues.
Local Authority Discretionary Grant Fund Scheme – Phase 3 applications now open
Don’t miss out on your opportunity to apply for what you may be entitled to!
Stockport Council are inviting small businesses from the leisure sector who are now in scope, as well as those engaged in the hospitality industry, to apply for the third phase Government’s Local Authority Discretionary – LAD – Grant Fund Scheme. See details below
UK HEADLINES:
BREAKING NEWS: Chancellor to cut VAT for hospitality sector
The Government is to cut VAT for the hospitality industry to 5% and introduce an “eat out to help out” discount scheme for diners as part of its plans to restart the economy. The measures came as part of a wider programme to limit mass unemployment in the months ahead. Chancellor Rishi Sunak said “the job has only just begun” as he unveiled his own “plan for jobs” this lunchtime.
BBC: Chancellor’s statement due to address changes to Stamp Duty thresholds
The chancellor is also expected to announce a temporary stamp duty holiday, with the hope of stimulating the property market. It would exempt the first £500,000 of all sales from the tax. Earlier in the week, we told you about the chancellor’s £2bn plan to subsidise home energy improvements, and it’s likely he still has at least one other headline-grabbing move up his sleeve. The rumours are it could be a temporary VAT cut to help the beleaguered hospitality sector. The BBC’s political editor, Laura Kuenssberg, says Boris Johnson’s government likes to talk about shaking things up, but Wednesday’s statement will demonstrate just how radical it’s willing to be.
BBC: A £2bn temporary jobs scheme for under 25s will be unveiled by the chancellor later,
The move is designed to address fears that young people will be hit hardest by the economic impact of coronavirus. The “kickstart scheme” will subsidise six-month work placements for an estimated 350,000 16 to 24-year-olds. The government will cover the cost of the National Minimum Wage and employers will be able to top it up. Applications will open in August, with the first jobs expected to start in the autumn.
The scheme will be available in England, Scotland and Wales, with funding provided to Northern Ireland to create something similar. Chancellor Rishi Sunak, who’ll reveal more in a major statement at lunchtime, said young people were particularly at risk during this crisis because they tended to work in the sectors struggling most – such as hospitality and events. Business organisations have broadly welcomed the scheme. Labour, too, said it was a positive step, but more action was needed – for example, creating “tailored support” for older people and those living in the hardest-hit areas. Ahead of the announcement, a selection of young people told the BBC what they wanted to see from Mr Sunak.
LOCAL / REGIONAL NEWS & UPDATES:
TfGM offers guidance for safe travel as hospitality businesses reopen
As more businesses reopen, particularly the hospitality and leisure section, during July, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has released updated advice for safe travel for customers and employees in the sector. Due to social distancing guidelines public transport continues to operate at a reduced capacity and so TfGM are asking the public to think carefully about their travel choices when travelling to work, or to visit bars and restaurants. The advice forms part of the Safely Reopening GM initiative, launched in June by TfGM, GMCA and the Growth Company to ensure that employers and employees have all the information they need to work and travel safely during the continuing pandemic. In order for everyone to be able to travel safely around Greater Manchester, TfGM is asking everyone to READ MORE
Local Authority Discretionary Grant Funds – Phase 3 closes this week
Phase 3 of the Government’s Local Authority Discretionary Grant scheme, administered locally by Stockport Council, closes this Friday 10th July at midnight. To be eligible to apply for a grant under this scheme, a small business must:
- Have a rateable value up to, but not exceeding, £30,000 per annum, or £150,000 for hospitality sector businesses.
- Have been trading on 11th March 2020.
- Be small, with fewer than 50 employees.
- Have relatively high ongoing fixed property-related costs, and;
- They must also be able to demonstrate that they have had a significant drop of income due to Coronavirus restriction measures.
Properties that will benefit from the relief will be occupied hereditaments that are wholly or mainly being used: as restaurants, cafes, drinking establishments, cinemas and live music venues, for assembly and leisure; or as hotels, guest & boarding premises and self-catering accommodation.
Applicants who met the criteria outlined in phases one and two but did not meet the deadline, are also able to apply. Read the full guidance HERE
The application window closes at midnight on Friday 10th July.
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.
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 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.
Stockport businesses grant funding payments:
Main Grant Scheme:
Stockport Council have now administered a total of 5,229 grants bringing the total amount paid to £60,120,000 and bringing the total now over 95.5% of those identified as eligible as at 11/03/2020.
If your business qualifies for a grant, please complete the online application form. Total grant allocation is £66.574m. If you have any queries please email business.rates@stockport.gov.uk
Local Authority Discretionary Grant funding scheme
Applications for phase 3 of the Local Authority Grant fund scheme is now open
Full qualifying criteria can be found on Stockport Council’s website. Enquiries about the scheme can be emailed to SKLADGRANTS@stockport.gov.uk
Status of Payments to date:
Applications: 464
Payments: £440,500
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:
AGRICULTURE:
Coming to the UK for seasonal agricultural work on English farms
Advice for seasonal agricultural workers coming to England to pick fruit and vegetables on farms, and their employers – updated with guidance for travellers coming from countries that are exempt from quarantine rules.
CONSTRUCTION:
Top contractors orders down 44% over three months
Total new orders among the industry’s top 100 contractors nosedived 44% during the Covid-19 stricken second quarter of the year. Latest contract award figures shows the value of new contracts slumped to £5.4bn between April and June, sharply down from £9.8bn in the same period last year.
EMPLOYERS / BUSINESS / FINANCE:
The Sustainable Innovation Fund: round 1 (temporary framework). Deadline: 29th July 2020
UK registered businesses can apply for a share of up to £55 million for new projects focusing on sustainable economic recovery from COVID-19. For more information click here.
The Sustainable Innovation Fund: SBRI phase 1. Deadline: 5 August 2020.
Organisations can apply for a share of up to £10 million, including VAT, to help UK businesses and the public sector recover from COVID-19 in a sustainable manner. For more information click here.
Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance on the phased return of sport and recreation
Guidance for the public, providers of outdoor sport facilities, elite athletes, personal trainers and coaches on the phased return of sport and recreation.
Homeworking in April 2020
Results from the online Labour Market Survey for homeworking in April 2020.
Help and support if your business is affected by coronavirus (COVID-19)
Watch videos and register for the free webinars to learn more about the?support available to help you deal with the economic impacts of?coronavirus – the YouTube video about ‘Extension to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and flexible furloughing’ has been updated.
How to treat certain expenses and benefits provided to employees during coronavirus (COVID-19)
Find out about taxable expenses and benefits when they are paid to employees because of coronavirus and how to report them to HMRC.
How to treat certain expenses and benefits provided to employees during coronavirus (COVID-19)
Find out about taxable expenses and benefits when they are paid to employees because of coronavirus and how to report them to HMRC -information about ‘Coronavirus (COVID-19) tests’ has been removed.
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. The ERDF and ESF Q&A has been updated to provide clarity to a number of existing questions. See the dates next to the questions for updates.
HEALTH, HEALTHCARE & WELLBEING:
COVID-19: head to head laboratory evaluation of 4 commercial serological assays
An independent appraisal of assay performance to determine performance metrics with precision using a large, well-characterised sample set.
Coronavirus (COVID-19): Office of the Public Guardian response
This page provides guidance on how OPG is responding to the coronavirus outbreak. It will be updated when new information is available – edited to include a link to local lockdown information
Dynamic CO-CIN report to SAGE and NERVTAG, 10 June 2020
Clinical information provided to the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) and the New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group (NERVTAG).
Medical devices given exceptional use authorisations during the COVID-19 pandemic
List of manufacturers and their medical devices which have been granted an exemption by the MHRA – new devices have been added and several have been removed.
COVID-19: guidance for sampling and for diagnostic laboratories
Information for clinical diagnostic laboratories regarding safety, sampling and packaging specimens associated with COVID-19 – updated section 3 of ‘laboratory investigations and sample requirements for diagnosis’.
Steps to take following the death of a person who worked in adult social care in England
Actions for local authorities and social care providers following a coronavirus (COVID-19) related death of an employee or volunteer in adult social care – added a new section on informing the coroner in the document ‘Steps to take following the death of a person who worked in adult social care in England’.
COVID-19: PHE laboratory assessments of molecular tests
PHE has undertaken rapid assessments of commercially provided diagnostic tests for SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid detection with further evaluations ongoing.
JUDICIARY:
Courts and tribunals tracker list during coronavirus outbreak
This page holds a tracker list of open, staffed and suspended courts during the coronavirus outbreak. It will be regularly updated – Stafford Crown Court added to list of court assessed as suitable to hold jury trials.
LEGAL:
Making and registering an LPA during the coronavirus outbreak
If you want to make an LPA now, you can still do so while observing government guidance on social distancing, self-isolating and shielding.
PROPERTY:
Could the changes to UK planning laws lead to more opportunities for investors
Boris Johnson outlined a number of proposed changes to Britain’s seven-decades old planning system. This included a relaxation of planning rules to make it easier for land and buildings to be converted quickly, with developers granted the ability to change vacant shops to homes, and builders able to demolish vacant shops and build homes in their place, without planning permission. New regulations will be implemented which will allow for buildings and land in town centres to change use without requesting planning consent, while new homes will be able to be created from empty buildings. As an example, struggling high street stores that due to the coronavirus crisis have been forced to shut their doors permanently could be transformed without needing permission from the authorities. These changes are set to come into effect by September. Some believe this represents a huge opportunity for investors and developers.
Mortgage enquiries surge as prices dip slightly in latest index
Mortgage enquiries in June surged to double the rate of the previous month according to the latest halifax house price index. Although average house prices dipped by 0.1 per cent last month, following a 0.2 per cent drop in May, they remain 2.5 per cent higher than a year ago and less than one per cent below the immediate pre-lockdown level. Jeremy Leaf, north London estate agent and a former RICS residential chairman, says: “On the one hand, prices have fallen for the fourth consecutive month but new mortgage enquiries are surging as buyers and sellers emerge from lockdown. The direction of travel in coming months will depend on the degree of support offered by the government and how quickly the economy can recover when furlough in particular is withdrawn.
Prolific North: How might Covid-19 change the future of shared workspaces?
The coronavirus pandemic looks set to change our relationship with the office forever! George Lancaster and Jesse Stott, University Business Centre Coordinators at Leeds Beckett University look at how companies might react
RETAIL:
UK footfall recovery remains sluggish – covering the week 28 June – 04 July 2020
- UK footfall decreased 49.6% year on year during the third week of reopening in England and NI. This compares to a decrease of 53.4% year on year for the previous week.
- Footfall on High Streets declined by 55.7% year on year. This compares to a decrease of 58.1% year on year for the previous week. Retail Parks saw footfall decrease by 24.6% year on year. This compares to a decrease of 28.4% year on year for the previous week.
- Shopping Centre footfall declined by 56.1% year on year. This compares to a decrease of 60.7% year on year for the previous week.
- Total Retail footfall for the week increased 15.3% week on week, with High Streets and Shopping Centres showing higher rises than for Retail Parks.
- Saturday 4th July, as pubs and restaurants reopened in England, saw UK footfall (for shops) rise 9.2% on the previous week, the smallest week on week rise for any day that week (average rise was 15.3%, as in bullet above).
TRAVEL & TOURISM:
Coronavirus (COVID-19): travel corridors
You do not have to self-isolate on arrival in England if these are the only places you have been to or stopped in during the previous 14 days – more information on transit stops, passengers arriving in England before 10 July 2020 and British overseas territories.
Covid-19 Webinars:
Thursday 9th July @ 2pm
The Science of Returning to Work
As organisations plan to return to work following a long period of work from home or shut down, it’s crucial to find the right approach to support workers and ensure a successful return to work. From the right communication to official manager support. Achievers Workforce Institute has looked at the Science of crisis recovery to help guide your return to work processes. Join Dr. Natalie Baumgartner and learn what the latest research and experts are saying about finding a new normal so you can keep your teams engaged and productive. Dr. Natalie Baumgartner is an engagement and culture thought leader and evangelist. She has spent over a decade focused on driving the translation of engagement / culture research and theory into SaaS based software, working to help make it possible for organisations to solve problems and achieve goals that advance their performance. Register HERE
Tuesday 14th July: Northern Powerhouse – Levelling Up.
Join Place North West and Lexington Communications, at this dedicated virtual event, for an in-depth discussion on the Northern Powerhouse and Levelling Up agendas as the region navigates out of lockdown into recovery.
Book here
Wednesday 15th July: FSB: Want to become a lean, green business machine?
This session will explore the full range of options open to you to help you and your business ‘go green’ and slash not just your carbon footprint, but your energy bills as well. As the UK economy embarks on its long haul journey to repair the damage caused by Covid-19, savvy businesses will be looking at how and where they can make savings to invest in their future as part of the build back better, build back greener ethos!
Wednesday 15th July: Northern Powerhouse Education, Employment and Skills Summit (NPEESS2020)
The summit will provide an early opportunity to kick start the debate on what the North needs to do to reboot, rebuild, recover and rebalance
NPEESS2020 brings together policy makers and influencers to look at the impact on education, employment and skills and discuss what the North needs to do to unlock opportunities, deliver growth, boost prosperity and rebalance the economy.
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 links:
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.