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 to Wednesday 17th June:
Total tests: 7,121,976 tests have been carried out or posted out
Positive tests: 299,251 have tested positive +1,115 cases on previous day
Hospitalised: 387 UK admissions / 379 on mechanical ventilators on 14/06
Number in hospital: 5,308 – down by 13% on previous week
Loss of life: 42,153 across all settings, (+ 184 on previous day) Cases in Stockport: 1,061 (no change in last 24 hours)
Number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases and risk in the UK
The latest number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases and risk level in the UK.
17th June 2020 daily press briefing on the government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic:
The Rt. Hon Oliver Dowden CBE MP.
- Premier league football kicks off again in England to empty arenas
- Fans urged to watch from home
- First free-to-air match on Friday – Norwich vs Southampton
- England’s men’s and women’s cricket teams donated £500,000 to charity
- Marcus Rashford highlights struggle to keep families fed and the work he has done to feed millions through the FareShare charity
- Praise for Duke of Cambridge and fellow sports stars for raising mental health issues in sport
- July earliest to bring community sport back
- Looking at how to address challenges around theatre, performing arts and museums
- Convening experts from Entertainment business with medical experts and advisors to develop a roadmap to perform safely, piloting innovative ideas leading to live performances
Oliver Dowden’s statement on coronavirus (COVID-19): 17 June 2020
Slides and datasets to accompany coronavirus press conference: 17 June 2020
Answers to the most common topics asked about by the public for the coronavirus press conference
Slides, datasets and transcripts to accompany coronavirus press conferences
UK HEADLINES:
Bank of England pumps £100billion into UK economy to aid recovery
The move is to help fight the coronavirus-induced economic downturn. However, the overall hit to the economy would be ‘less severe’ than feared. Interest rates remain low at 0.1% although the UK economy shrank by 20.4% in April as number of workers on payroll fell by over 600,000 between March and May
BBC has been told that HM Revenue Customs has received 3,000 reports of furlough fraud during the coronavirus outbreak.
Under the government’s scheme to protect the jobs of those people who work for businesses that have had to close, 80% of an employee’s salary is covered by the state. Once they have been furloughed they cannot work. But the BBC has found that a third of furloughed staff have been asked to carry on doing their job
All BBC staff offered chance to apply for redundancy
The BBC has offered all UK-based public sector employees the chance to apply for voluntary redundancy as it looks to make savings of £125m this year
BBC: Premier League returns to empty stadiums
The seats were covered up and the crowd noise was artificial, but those were only two of the changes that marked the return of England’s top flight football league after a 100-day hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic. While Manchester City beat Arsenal 3-0 behind the closed doors of the Etihad stadium and Aston Villa versus Sheffield United was a 0-0 draw, the Premier League now occupies a different world, according to BBC Sport’s chief football writer Phil McNulty .
Scotland announces new measures to ease lockdown
As R number stabilises over 3 weeks to between 0.6 – 0.9, number of infectious people estimated to be 2,900 Scotland’s revised measures include those shops can open from 29th June, shielding people may go outdoors from today, tourism will resume on 15th July, meetings outside of two households up to 8, factories, labs and warehouses can reopen at the end of June and construction sector can move to the next phase
Coronavirus ‘track & trace’ app no longer a priority
The new app may not be launched until the winter, just as the flu season begins and admitted technical challenges held up release.
LOCAL / REGIONAL NEWS & UPDATES:
To improve the security experience and help restore confidence in travel as the airport begins to see more people wanting to travel, passengers at Manchester Airport now have the opportunity to pre-book a free 15-minute security slot, as part of a UK-first new trial by MAG. The trial is part of a series of measures introduced by MAG to ensure passengers feel safer and more confident about travelling by air, particularly when travel demand starts to grow again in the near future. Last month, the airport group became the first to ask all passengers to cover their face either with face masks or with their own clothing. All MAG colleagues, interacting with passengers, are also required to wear the necessary protective equipment.
Bus connecting Stepping Hill reinstated for passengers and patients
A bus service used by key workers and people travelling to Macclesfield, Poynton and Stepping Hill Hospital, has been reinstated by Cheshire East Council. The 391/392 service between Macclesfield and Stockport was suspended when its operator – Manchester Community Transport – ceased trading earlier this year. During the lockdown, Cheshire East Council provided its Flexilink bus to carry key workers who were left stranded with no transport to and from work. Now the council has sourced a new operator – Go Goodwins – to run the service from Monday 22 June.
Applications for phase 2 of the Local Authority Grant fund scheme is now closed.
A further phase is expected to be announced soon. Full qualifying criteria can be found on Stockport Council’s website. Enquiries about the scheme can be emailed to SKLADGRANTS@stockport.gov.uk
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 5,113 grants bringing the total amount paid to £58,810,000 and bringing the total now over 93% 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
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:
CHARITIES:
Coronavirus (COVID-19): Apply for the Food Charities Grant Fund
Applications now closed for a grant of up to £100,000 for charities helping people affected by coronavirus (COVID-19) due to a high volume of applicants.
COMMUNITY:
Personal and Economic Well-being in Great Britain: April to May 2020
Estimates looking across personal and economic well-being covering the period from April to May 2020, to understand the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on people and households in Great Britain. We have narrowed the reference period to just two months to focus the analysis directly on changes over the lockdown period.
EDUCATION:
Universities Minister announces mental health support for students
Universities Minister, Michelle Donelan, talks to HEPI about the impact of Covid-19 on the sector and mental health support for students during this time.
Further and higher education: coronavirus (COVID-19)
What colleges and universities and other providers need to do during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
Early years and childcare: coronavirus (COVID-19)
What early years providers need to do during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
Guidance for schools: coronavirus (COVID-19)
What school leaders, teachers and school staff need to do during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
Education & Skills Funding Agency update on Covid-19
The Department for Education has published updated guidance about Covid-19 in educational settings for staff, parents and carers, pupils and students
Awarding qualifications in summer 2020
Information for schools, students and parents on how GCSE, AS, A level, vocational and technical qualifications will be graded and awarded in summer 2020.
EMPLOYERS / BUSINESS / FINANCE:
HMRC: Bi-monthly employer bulletin
The Employer Bulletin (June 2020, Issue 84) includes all of the latest Covid-19 updates to help you continue to meet your payroll obligations to HMRC and to claim any relevant grants and rebates during this challenging time. We’ve included the latest update on the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, along with updates on the Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme and a reminder for reporting Expenses and Benefits for the tax year ending 5 April 2020.
The Local Government Association has released statistics on the local government workforce during the pandemics.
Of the councils which responded to its survey, 27% have recruited additional staff, while 25% have furloughed staff and 85% have redeployed staff. The services most disrupted by issues with staff availability were schools, and adults’ and children’s services.
Reopening High Streets Safely Fund guidance
The Reopening High Streets Safely Fund FAQ was updated on 17 June 2020 to provide updated information on websites and Local Authority delivery partners; and an updated Table 1 containing activities that are in and out of scope of the Fund
Letter to the National Fire Chiefs Council and the Fire Services Management Committee
A letter from James Brokenshire to the National Fire Chiefs Council and the Fire Services Management Committee on reducing burdens and supporting the fire sector.
The sustainable recovery, investor collaboration on COVID-19 recovery and the climate emergency
Keynote address by Alok Sharma, Business Secretary and COP26 President, at a London Stock Exchange webinar.
Coronavirus and the latest indicators for the UK economy and society: 18 June 2020
Early experimental data on the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) on the UK economy and society, including online price changes data. These faster indicators are created using rapid response surveys, novel data sources and experimental methods.
Deferral of VAT payments due to coronavirus (COVID-19)
Temporary changes to the VAT payments due between 20 March 2020 and 30 June 2020 to help businesses manage their cash flow – information regarding the ending of the VAT deferral period added
HEALTH & HEALTHCARE:
Royal College of Nursing demands government avoids further delays to protect BAME nursing staff from Covid-19
The Royal College of Nursing: ‘If UK governments had acted on the advice of previous reviews and reports, BAME nursing staff across the UK would have been better protected going into this pandemic. We’ve been calling on employers in all health care settings to take swift and comprehensive action to support and protect BAME staff through targeted risk assessments. These new recommendations show clearly why they must take place to avoid needless loss of life.’
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 – added guidance on support bubbles.
COVID-19: background information
Updated global case numbers to information on COVID-19 including epidemiology, virology and clinical features.
Local authority children’s services: coronavirus (COVID-19)
What local authority children’s services need to do during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
Exemptions from Devices regulations during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
How to get fast-track approval of medical devices during COVID-19.
COVID-19 infection survey, England: provisional results, 18 June 2020
This release provides initial data from the COVID-19 Infection Survey. This survey is being delivered in partnership with the University of Oxford, the University of Manchester and Public Health England.
NHS test and trace statistics (England): 28 May to 10 June 2020
Experimental statistics for weeks 1 and 2 of NHS test and trace contact tracing in England.
World first coronavirus treatment approved for NHS use by government
The government has immediately authorised the NHS to use the world’s first coronavirus treatment proven to reduce the risk of death.
The number of patients enrolled in the clinical trial has been corrected from more than 177,000 to more than 11,500.
HOSPITALITY:
The Food and Drink industry Roundtable, convened by the Food and Drink Federation, has issued a report warning that food suppliers risk being overlooked in the Government’s plan to reopen the hospitality and food service sectors. It identifies that these ‘squeezed middle’ businesses have concerns about maintaining their liquidity, and the report makes a number of recommendations, including extending furlough for them, taking action to help with insurance, and providing targeted support.
IT & TECHNOLOGY:
The Cyber Resilience Centre (CRCGM) is a Greater Manchester Police endorsed not-for-profit working with businesses to increase their resilience to costly online crime. As businesses slowly transition from this period of disruption due to COVID-19, they are still vulnerable to the latest cyber threats. The CRCGM’s three-month free cyber security membership is designed to help businesses put the right measures in place to stay safe online.
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. Tracker list updated.
PROPERTY:
Coronavirus (COVID-19): impact on HM Land Registry’s services
How we are delivering our services during the coronavirus outbreak – updated: ‘How conveyancers can request an application to be expedited’ and added a new section titled: ‘Cancellation dates on expedited applications’.
TRANSPORT:
Transport use during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic
To monitor the use of the transport system during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, DfT provides statistics on transport use by mode, published every Wednesday.
TRAVEL:
Post office adds Covid cover to travel insurance
Cover for contracting coronavirus overseas is now included as standard on single-trip, annual multi-trip and backpacker products. This protects travellers in the event of running up emergency medical and repatriation costs should they fall ill during a trip. However, the cover will only apply to travel where there are no Foreign Office travel restrictions in place.
Israel prepares to reopen to overseas tourists in August
Greek visitors will be the first to return from 1 August following a recent visit from prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakisis. Venues and attractions are, however, reopening within strict health regulations, laid down by Israel’s ministry of health.
Sharon Bershadsky, director of the Israel Government Tourist Office in the UK, said: “We are currently working with travel industry partners and friends in the UK to make sure travel, and Israel, is even more exciting and enjoyable for our UK visitors, and we look forward to welcoming them back soon.”
Covid-19 Webinars:
18th June: Thriving through disruption More info / book here
18th June: Managing your mind with meditation More info / Book here
25th June: Staying healthy at home, move & stretch class More info / Book here
Business Growth Hub webinars:
Find out more details and how to book below or on the website.
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:
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