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 Sunday 21st June:
Total tests: 7,250,000 tests have been carried out or posted out
Positive tests: 304,331 have tested positive +1,221 cases on previous day
Loss of life: 42,632 across all settings, (+ 43 on previous day)
Cases in Stockport: 1,083 positive tests; 325 people have lost their lives
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.
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
Stockport Business Recovery – FREE hospitality seminar:
The hospitality sector continues to have no definitive date, as of this moment, as to when pubs, restaurant and associated facilities can re-open, although it is widely suspected that it will be 4th July.
The hospitality industry is the 4th biggest employer in the UK, accounting for 3.5m jobs through direct employment and a further 2.8m indirectly. The industry generates over £73bn of Gross Value Added directly to the UK economy, and a further £87bn indirectly. For hundreds of years pubs and Inns have been at the very heart of communities.
So what can be done to protect our brewers, restaurants, bars and pubs, chefs and hoteliers, to save jobs and ensure they can survive and thrive?
SK Business Recovery’s next webinar focuses on the hospitality industry with an impressive panel passionate about lobbying to get the businesses up and running again including:
- Emma McClarkin – CEO – The British Pub and Beer Association
In her role, Emma champions the issues that matter to the beer and pub industry ranging from promoting beer to campaigning for issues important to the sector’s survival. - Sacha Lord – co-creator of the Parklife festival and The Warehouse Project and Night Time Economy Adviser for Greater Manchester
- William Robinson – managing director of Robinsons Brewery (Pub Division)
- Ian O’Donnell – head of service, public protection, SMBC
You are welcome to forward questions prior to the panel to helen@marketingstockport.co.uk /
Questions may also be put to the panel on Thursday, time allowing.
Date: Thursday 25th June
Time: 2pm – 3pm
Venue: via Zoom webinar (a link will be forwarded following registration)
Free to attend. Places are limited so please reserve your place
We look forward to seeing you there.
UK HEADLINES:
Government looks set to ‘bring forward proposals’ on the 2m distancing rule
The Government has faced pressure from the hospitality sector and its own MPs to lessen the 2m rule amidst widespread concerns that continuation of the rule would have devastating impact and cause irreversible damage to the sector. The WHO recommends a distance of 1m. An update is expected to be announced this week as speculation grows for that pubs, restaurants and bars will reopen on 4th July. Other nations of the UK are yet to announce any changes. There have been more than 300,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK and more than 42,500 people are known to have died having had a positive test.
Spain to allow UK tourists without quarantine
UK tourists will be able to visit Spain without having to quarantine on arrival from
Sunday, Spanish officials say. Spain’s foreign affairs minister has told the BBC that British citizens will be allowed to enter the country freely, without the need to self-isolate. She said the decision had been made “out of respect” for the 400,000 Britons who have second homes in Spain. But current rules state that anyone returning to – or entering – the UK still has to self-isolate for 14 days.
It is understood the UK’s quarantine restrictions will be reviewed on 29 June.
The UK Foreign Office is still warning against all but essential international travel.
Compulsory schooling begins in France
In France, going to school is now compulsory from Monday for everyone up to the age of 15. Only lycées – or high schools, which cover the last three years of school education – are not affected. Schools have been open for several weeks, but only on a voluntary basis. Read more on how France and other European countries are easing their way out of lockdown.
Government publishes coronavirus (COVID-19) R value and growth rates
The government has published UK wide and regional growth rates for England for the first time, alongside R values.
COVID-19: background information
Information on COVID-19 including epidemiology, virology and clinical features – updated global case numbers.
UK Covid-19 alert level downgraded from four to three
Under level three, the virus is now considered to be ‘in general circulation’ and there could be a “gradual relaxation of restrictions”. Previously transmission was considered “high or rising exponentially”.
National COVID-19 surveillance reports
National COVID-19 surveillance reports, including weekly summary of findings monitored through various COVID-19 surveillance systems – added week 25 report and infographic.
LOCAL / REGIONAL NEWS & UPDATES:
Safe travel measures in place at Manchester Airport
As flights resume to a growing number of destinations, Manchester Airport has implemented new safe travel measures to ensure safety of passengers travelling through the Northern hub. The changes implemented come following new official guidance from government, and a series of trial programmes in recent weeks. The airport has updated its advice to passengers to prepare for their journeys. The new security and safety measures have been put in place to protect the wellbeing of staff and passengers during the Covid-19 pandemic, and to reassure passengers that they can be confident that it is safe to travel.
A consultation on changes to how bus services are managed in Greater Manchester has received public support for the proposed franchising scheme.
83% of respondents to the consultation conducted by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) and research agency Ipsos MORI supported the bus franchising proposals, which would see TfGM take greater control over fares and routes, currently controlled by bus companies, in a similar way to how buses are operated by Transport for London in the capital. Only 8% of respondents objected to the proposals, which are also opposed by the bus operators.
The future of Northern roads for goods and people post Covid-19
The current situation with Covid-19 has severely impacted rail use in particular, with people being asked to use their cars after so long of being told the opposite. It is unknown how long it will take for people to move back to public transport once life returns to normal, but it is also unknown what future work patterns will be, so will there still be an economic case for investing in roads in the future?
Working with our partners, Transport for the North has identified a Major Road Network for the North – identifying the roads critical to connecting the important economic centres and major transport hubs that support economic activity, growth and prosperity across our region and beyond. While this network includes specific projects that will better connect the North, there are other local schemes that will have a significant impact on a pan-Northern level, including Large Local Major Schemes. These projects have a wide array local benefits, whether helping to improve air quality, or supporting housing growth.
Please note that this event is being hosted on Zoom, and a link to join the discussion will be sent to participants following registration. Register HERE
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 5,134 grants bringing the total amount paid to £59,020,000 and bringing the total now over 93.7% 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 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
Status of Payments to date:
Applications: 348
Payments: £157,500
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:
Dairy Response Fund 2020
The Dairy Response Fund 2020 provides support to eligible dairy farmers in England who produce cows’ milk. They can apply for a one-off payment – sentence added to “What you need to do” section to mention that the eligibility calculator might not work in all web browsers.
Coronavirus (COVID-19): information for farmers, landowners and rural businesses
The latest information for farmers, landowners and rural businesses during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Latest news updated: Fund to support dairy farmers opens for applications and Amendments to BPS applications using the Rural Payments service.
COMMUNITY:
DELVE: Report on face masks for the general public, 21 April 2020
Paper prepared by the Data Evaluation and Learning for Viral Epidemics (DELVE) group in the Royal Society.
Potential impact of face covering on the transmissibility of SARS-CoV-2 in the UK, 20 April 2020
Paper prepared by Imperial College.
Coronavirus (COVID-19): letter to social housing residents
Letter from the Minister of Housing setting out the measures that are in place to support social housing residents during the next phase towards reopening society.
Vulnerable Children National Charities Strategic Relief Fund
Details of the £7.6 million Vulnerable Children National Charities Strategic Relief Fund and how to apply – added ‘The Vulnerable Children National Charities Strategic Relief Fund: clarification document’ and an updated version of the application form.
Coronavirus and the social impacts on young and older people in Great Britain: 3 April to 10 May 2020
Indicators from the Opinions and Lifestyle Survey on the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on young and older people in Great Britain. This release uses five waves of survey results covering the period from 3 April 2020 to 10 May 2020.
CONSTRUCTION:
Workers get wearable mood monitors as they return to site
Construction workers are to be issued with wearable mood monitors to gauge how they are feeling as sites continue to ramp-up production post-lockdown. Framework provider Pagabo is introducing the Moodbeam One wristbands which allow workers to record their daily moods at the press of a button. The bands have already been tested on Morgan Sindall and Willmott Dixon sites prior to the pandemic. The initiative will now be extended to a wider cross section of the industry including on-site project teams, off-site manufacturing teams, remote working teams and the subcontracted workforce.
EDUCATION:
Timing of the introduction of school closure for COVID-19 epidemic suppression, 18 March 2020
Paper prepared by the MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis (MRC GIDA), Imperial College.
Impact of school closures, 18 March 2020
Paper prepared by the University of Warwick.
Quick findings on age distributions of grandparents and parents of primary school aged children, 18 May 2020
Paper prepared by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
EMPLOYERS / BUSINESS / FINANCE:
Business Live: The final furlough scheme – what businesses need to know
June:
- Government will continue to cover 80% of employee salaries including employer National Insurance and pension contributions of furloughed staff.
- 10 June marked the final date by which an employer could furlough a staff member for the first time. This does not apply to parents returning from paternity and maternity leave who were still be eligible after the cut-off date, provided they work for an employer who has previously furloughed employees.
- From 30 June onwards, businesses will only be able to furlough employees who already been furloughed for a full three-week period prior to this date.
- During the month of June, furloughed employees can not undertake any work for their employer.
- If they choose, employers can still top up employee wages above the 80% total and £2,500 cap at their own expense.
July
- From 1 July the scheme becomes more flexible and employers will be given the opportunity to bring back furloughed employees for “any amount of time and any shift pattern”. Any new working arrangements will have to be discussed and agreed with the employees in writing.
- Government will continue to cover 80% of employee salaries as well as the employer National Insurance and pension contribution for the hours not worked.
- Businesses will be required to pay staff for any hours worked based on their employment contract as well was pay for the tax and National Insurance costs due on those amounts.
- When claiming the grant for employee hours not worked, businesses will need to:
- Calculate the amount to claim by reference to furloughed employees’ usual hours worked in a claim period.
- Report the hours the furloughed employee worked including the usual hours they would be expected to work in normal circumstances in a claim period.
- Report and claim for a minimum period of a week.
- From 1 July, claim periods will no longer be able to overlap months.
- 31 July will be the last day businesses can submit claims for periods ending on or before 30 June.
What could this mean for your business?
The introduction of flexible arrangements will provide businesses the opportunity to plan for the end of the scheme in October and understand where the pinch points are.
August
- From August, the government will continue to cover 80% of employee salaries up to £2,500 per month.
- Employers will be required to cover the full National Insurance Contributions and pension contributions.
September
- From September, the government will cover 70% of employee salaries up to a cap of £2,187.50 per month for the hours the employee does not work.
- Employers will need to cover 10% of salaries of furloughed employees to make up 80% total up to a cap of £2,500.
- Employers will be required to pay the full National Insurance Contributions and pension contributions.
What could this mean for your business?
With employers required to start paying a contribution towards employee wages from September, some businesses may need an injection of cash to support their operations to ensure resilience.
Government schemes such as the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS), the Bounce Back Loan Schemes (BBLS) and the Local Discretionary grants could provide necessary funds required to improve cashflow during this period. Details on the different finance schemes can be found through the Growth Company’s Coronavirus- Finance page.
October – last month of the scheme
- During October, the government will cover 60% of employee salaries up to a cap of £1,875 for the hours the employee does not work.
- Employers will be required to pay 20% of salaries to make up the 80% total up to a cap of £2,500.
- Employers will continue to be required to pay National Insurance Contributions and pension contributions.
What could this mean for your business?
With the job retention scheme ending in October and the financial pressures that some businesses might be under, there may come a time, to consider redundancy as a last resort to ensure the sustainability of the business. For some businesses, their ongoing issues, could potentially also lead to an insolvency scenario.
People looking for advice can contact the Hub where our advisors are here to support businesses and individuals, while information and advice is available via the GC Business Growth Hub coronavirus support hub, part of the #HereForBusiness initiative.
Claim for wages through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
Claim for 80% of your employee’s wages plus any employer National Insurance and pension contributions, if you have put them on furlough because of coronavirus (COVID-19) – page updated to tell employers to use a new template when claiming for more than 100 employees.
Download a template if you’re claiming for 100 or more employees through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
Complete a template with the details of the employees you’re claiming for and upload this when you claim (for claims on or after 1 July 2020).
The impact of relaxing lockdown measures: 2, 1 April 2020
Paper prepared by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM)..
ENVIRONMENT:
Coronavirus: Environment Agency update
The Environment Agency’s priority is to protect people and the environment, and to support those we regulate during the coronavirus pandemic – updates added to permit applications, angling and waterways.
Environment Agency advises on restarting private sewage treatment plants
Guidance is being issued to industry bodies about restarting sewage treatment plants.
HEALTH & HEALTHCARE:
Comparing interventions in Italy and UK, 1 April 2020
Paper prepared by Dr Lorenzo Pellis, University of Manchester.
PPE portal: how to order emergency personal protective equipment
Healthcare providers can order additional personal protective equipment (PPE) through the portal to top up their existing supplies for COVID-19 in an emergency. GPs and small social care providers can now place orders multiple times per week within the limits set out in the guidance, instead of a singular order.
New saliva test for coronavirus piloted in Southampton
A weekly coronavirus (COVID-19) testing model using a new ‘no-swab’ saliva test is to be piloted in Southampton from this week (22 June).
Vaccine Taskforce aims, 6 April 2020
Role and objectives of the Vaccine Taskforce.
Effectiveness of isolation, testing, contact tracing and physical distancing on reducing transmission of COVID-19 in different settings: Draft for SPI-M, 20 April 2020
Paper prepared by academics for the Scientific Pandemic Influenza Group on Modelling (SPI-M).
Effect of compliance with whole household isolation in the COVID-19 outbreak, 15 March 2020
Paper prepared by Lancaster University.
Coronavirus (COVID-19): reducing risk in adult social care
A framework for how adult social care employers should assess and reduce risk to their workforce during the coronavirus pandemic.
DELVE: Report on test, trace, isolate and support, 18 May 2020
Paper prepared by the Data Evaluation and Learning for Viral Epidemics (DELVE) group in the Royal Society.
Using BBC Pandemic data to model the impact of isolation, testing, contact tracing and physical distancing on reducing transmission of Covid-19 in different settings, 16 April 2020
Paper considered by the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE).
Estimated impact of testing quarantined contacts at different points in time, 30 April 2020
Paper prepared by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM).
Preliminary analysis of PHE care home data, 19 April 2020
Paper prepared by academics from the University of Manchester.
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.
Coronavirus (COVID-19): admission and care of people in care homes
How to protect care home residents and staff during the coronavirus outbreak – document has been updated throughout in line with the care homes support package announced on 15 May and the latest advice on testing, and infection prevention and control. The changes are set out in full in the document.
Note on reporting of deaths involving COVID-19, 7 April 2020
Paper prepared by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
Estimated impact of delay from isolation of symptomatic case to test result and quarantine of contacts, 26 April 2020
Paper prepared by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM).
NERVTAG: At what point might meaningful results from clinical trials be available?, 30 March 2020
Paper prepared by the New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group (NERVTAG) for the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE).
Dynamic CO-CIN report to SAGE and NERVTAG, 18 May 2020
Clinical information provided to the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) and the New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group (NERVTAG).
SAGE 37 minutes: Coronavirus (COVID-19) response, 19 May 2020
Record of the discussion that took place at SAGE’s thirty-seventh meeting.
GOS: Risk of COVID-19 amongst parents and grandparents of primary school children, 21 May 2020
Paper prepared by the Government Office for Science (GOS) for the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE).
Delaying the international spread of pandemic influenza, 2 May 2006
Paper considered by the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE).
Planning scenarios for the next 6 months, 25 March 2020
Paper prepared by the MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis (MRC GIDA), Imperial College.
SAGE 38 minutes: Coronavirus (COVID-19) response, 21 May 2020
Record of the discussion that took place at SAGE’s thirty-eighth meeting.
PHE: Details of PHE involvement with ISARIC and any information on samples collected and their distribution, 16 April 2020
Paper prepared by Public Health England (PHE) for the Government Chief Scientific Adviser.
NERVTAG: Asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection, 13 May 2020
Paper prepared by the New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group (NERVTAG).
Effect of relaxing current measures, 2 April 2020
Paper prepared by Imperial College.
Aim for UK ensuring promising therapies to be tested as fast as possible and for patients to access medicine as soon as possible, 16 April 2020
Paper on the UK government Therapeutics Taskforce.
Dynamic CO-CIN report to SAGE and NERVTAG, 21 May 2020
Clinical information provided to the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) and the New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group (NERVTAG).
A note on mass testing for COVID-19: preliminary analysis, 6 April 2020
Paper prepared by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM).
Coronavirus (COVID-19): scientific evidence supporting the UK government response
The national and global response to the spread of COVID-19 continues to develop quickly and our collective knowledge of the virus is growing by the second – updated the list of evidence provided to SAGE with 38 new papers.
A national health data research capability to support COVID-19 research questions, 14 April 2020
Paper prepared by Health Data Research UK (HDRUK) for the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE).
What the latest research on COVID-19 immunology can tell us about responding to the epidemic: expert summary, 16 April 2020
Paper prepared by the Academy of Medical Sciences (AMS) and the British Society for Immunology (BSI).
JUDICIARY:
HMCTS weekly operational summary on courts and tribunals during coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
This page provides a weekly summary of the HM Courts and Tribunals Service operational position during the coronavirus pandemic – update for week commencing 22 June 2020 published.
MILITARY:
Check which employees you can put on furlough to use the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
Find out which employees you can put on furlough and claim for through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme – added information about exceptions for military reservists.
PROPERTY:
One in six homeowners with mortgages are on payment break
For the average mortgage borrower the total payment deferral typically amounts to £755 per month. Some 1.2m deferrals were approved during the first three weeks of the scheme and another 0.7m have been added since. A statement from lenders’ trade body UK Finance says that many homeowners will soon be coming to the end of the deferral period and lenders are now focused on helping customers to consider their next steps. “They will contact borrowers before the end of their deferral period with a range of options to ensure they are supported through the coming months, whatever their financial situation” explains UK Finance.
Government extends measures to stop company evictions to end of September
The government has announced today that it will be extending measures to prevent struggling companies from eviction over the summer. The extension, until the end of September, comes alongside further support to help local businesses plan for economic recovery following the coronavirus pandemic. A new Code of Practice has been developed to help provide clarity for businesses when discussing rental payments and to encourage best practice so that all parties are supported.
Code of practice for the commercial property sector
Government has published a code of practice to encourage commercial tenants and landlords to work together to protect viable businesses.
Government provides further halt to business evictions and more support for high street firms
New code provides support to shops and local firms planning their future recovery with their landlord.
RETAIL:
John Lewis to open a further 9 stores this week
This Thursday, another nine John Lewis stores will reopen since being forced to close in March although there is no confirmation as to when, and if, all the remaining high street stores will reopen. Customers will have to follow strict new rules to maintain customer and staff safety including keeping 8 steps apart on escalators and no trying on of clothes pre-purchase.
Mothercare gives up head office in attempt to save £1m after lockdown
A UK mothering retailer has announced that it will be moving to smaller offices as it aims to save more than £1m in the aftermath of lockdown. Mothercare, currently based in Watford, will be surrendering its lease on its current head office and relocating to a “smaller and more cost effective” location, which it predicts will reduce costs by approximately £900k per year. The company, which went into administration in November last year, is also subletting part of its main warehouse to a third party, which will reduce its costs by a further £220k.
Go Outdoors files notice to appoint administrators
The directors of the Go Outdoors retail chain have filed a Notice of Intention to appoint Administrators. It follows speculation over the weekend that parent group JD Sports Fashion was considering putting the subsidiary into administration. Go Outdoors was founded in 1998 in Sheffield by Paul Caplan and John Graham and employs around 2,400 staff. Go Outdoors boasts 67 outlets, specialising in camping, fishing and cycling equipment. It was reported JD was considering appointing Deloitte as administrator.
TRANSPORT:
Coronavirus: MOTs for lorries, buses and trailers
You can book a lorry, bus or trailer annual test (MOT) from 4 July 2020 – the deadline to get the test done depends on when the MOT was originally due – updated page to show that lorry, bus or trailer annual tests (MOTs) will restart from 4 July 2020 but vehicles in June, July and August will be issued 3-month exemptions.
TRAVEL:
Home Office: COVID-19 – measures at the border, 27 April 2020
Paper prepared by the Home Office for the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE).
Coronavirus (COVID-19): advice for UK visa applicants and temporary UK residents
This is advice for visa customers and applicants in the UK, visa customers outside of the UK and British nationals overseas who need to apply for a passport affected by travel restrictions associated with coronavirus – updated to add information on some VACs reopening.
Covid-19 Webinars:
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:
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.
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