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 data to Monday 1st June:
Total tests: 4,484,340 UK tests have been carried out (+ 198,602)
Positive tests: 274,762 have tested positive – (+ 1,570 on previous day)
Loss of life: 39,045 across all settings, (+ 111 on previous day)
Cases in Stockport: 1,054 (up from 1,049)
Government news and briefing from Matt Hancock:
- Anyone with symptoms should get a test through the NHS website or calling 119
- Test & Trace programme: “capacity is high and initiative is working well”
- 7,500 clinicians in test & trace system
- Local regulations could apply if spikes appeared regionally
Slides and datasets to accompany coronavirus press conference: 1 June 2020
Press conference slides and datasets used by The Rt Hon Matt Hancock MP and Professor John Newton.
Slides, datasets and transcripts to accompany coronavirus press conferences
Slides, datasets and transcripts from press conferences at 10 Downing Street in response to coronavirus – addition of slides and datasets for 1 June 2020.
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.
UK HEADLINES:
Chancellor shops at outdoor market marking first step in plan to reopen economy
The Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, met some of the traders returning to their market stalls today (1 June) as part of the government’s plan to gradually reopen the economy. The transmission of coronavirus is lower outdoors and it is easier to follow COVID-19 Secure guidelines in open spaces. This means we can allow outdoor markets to reopen in a safe way.
Ministers ‘looking at ways to relax travel quarantine rule’
Plans to introduce a 14-day quarantine for the majority of people entering the country, including UK nationals, will be put before Parliament later. But in the face of criticism from some, including Conservative MPs, the BBC has learned the government is looking at ways it can be relaxed over the coming months. Critics fear the policy will cause huge damage to the aviation, travel and hospitality industries.
LOCAL / REGIONAL NEWS & UPDATES:
Sustained rail investment vital to aid economic recovery, say Northern leaders
A sustained pipeline of rail investment is vital to aid the economic recovery of the North and unlock its potential, regional leaders have insisted. Transport for the North members have made a joint submission to the Integrated Rail Plan, calling for a sustained investment in the North’s rail network through a commitment to “quick win” projects and high-speed links. It says the North not only needs major projects such as Northern Powerhouse Rail and HS2 to be completed in full, but also local and regional improvements to the existing congested rail network to unlock freight and passenger capacity in the shorter term.
Leading PR agency SKV Communications to close its doors
Founder Andy Spinoza says SKV Communications has “come to the end of its natural life” after revealing the agency, a winner of over 50 industry awards, is being wound up. Originally founded in 1998, SKV also has a coveted place on the Government Crown Commercial Services roster. The former Manchester Evening News journalist said that current conditions had left it with no option other than to manage a controlled winding up under a Members Voluntary Liquidation
Stockport businessman and son embarked on a 40 mile cycling challenge for charity.
The pair’s ‘My Corona’ cycling challenge will raise money for Stockport NHS Foundation Trust’s Charitable Fund, and sports organisation, Volleyball England Foundation, and their own non-profit, Stockport Volleyball Club. Adrian Stores who runs marketing consultancy Acrobat, and Cheadle Hulme High School pupil, Kaya, each cycled a 20 mile leg of a 40 mile route to raise funds for local causes and have set a target of £1500.
Stockport: ‘In this together’ with a range of community support
Over the past few months Stockport Council has been working more closely than ever with the volunteers and community groups who have responded so energetically to the Covid-19 crisis. Support has been provided in the form of grants from Stockport Local Fund, practical help for organisations to find and apply for other sources of funding for community projects, coordinating volunteers and matching them up with community organisations that need help, and promotion for local charities who can’t fundraise independently at this time. Their route paid homage to local charities, and sporting venues in Stockport, starting and finishing at Cheadle Hulme School where National Volleyball League Men and Women train, and taking in The Seashell Trust, Edgeley Park, Stepping Hill Hospital and Brinnington Park Leisure Complex, run by Life Leisure who sponsored the cycling challenge. Stockport NHS Foundation Trust Charitable Fund was chosen as a beneficiary of monies raised to honour the NHS workers putting their lives on the line to treat Covid-19 and other patients during the pandemic, while the sports charities represented a cause close to the fundraisers hearts.
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. Read the latest update and link to FAQs HERE In the meantime, if you have any questions regarding the scheme or the process, please email SKLADGRANTS@stockport.gov.uk
The application window will close on Wednesday 3rd June at 5pm. Process of payments will begin on Friday 5th June.
Stockport businesses grant funding payments:
Stockport Council have administered a further 20 grants since Friday bringing the total amount paid to £57,215,000 across 4,973 qualifying businesses and bringing the total now to nearly 91% 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’?
Many businesses have been affected by the coronavirus outbreak and are currently unable to trade due to Government restrictions but Stockport is still open for business. Are you still providing legal / financial services? Perhaps you have an online business? Or you have a food store. Are you offering a delivery service? Or perhaps you have a restaurant and are now offering take-aways? 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:
https://marketingstockport.co.uk/stockport-open-for-business/
AGRICULTURE:
Over 3,800 bridging payments made to farmers and land managers in May 2020
Over the past month, payments have been made to all eligible outstanding claimants, meeting the RPA’s commitment to complete bridging payments by the end of May. The loans covered Countryside Stewardship and Environmental Stewardship 2019 payments, ensuring farmers and land managers are paid for the important work they do to protect the environment.
COMMUNITY:
Groups of up to six from different households can exercise outside under new rules
Gatherings of more than six people from different households are still not permitted. This means that people who play team sports can meet to train together and do things like conditioning or fitness sessions, although anything involving physical contact is not allowed. It will also allow parents to accompany their children to coaching sessions carried out on a one to one basis or in small groups. On 28 May the Prime Minister announced that groups of up to six people will be able to meet outdoors in England from 1 June, including in gardens and other private outdoor spaces, provided social distancing guidelines are followed. The changes are part of a carefully-designed package to ease the burdens of lockdown in a way that is expected to keep the R rate, the average number of secondary infections produced by 1 infected person, down.
CONSTRUCTION:
Cashflow fears spark call for another delay VAT payments
Industry leaders are calling for another delay to VAT changes which could see 150,000 construction companies face a 20% drop in cash flow.
The reverse charge VAT change was due to come into force last October but was pushed back a year following industry lobbying. Now construction leaders want to see it shifted back again to October 2021 “at the earliest” as the industry struggles to cope with the impact of Covid-19 on cash flow.
The Construction sector publishes Roadmap to Recovery
The Construction Leadership Council’s Covid-19 taskforce has laid out its proposals to secure the future of the construction businesses nationwide, while setting out the industry on a sustainable path to recovery. The Roadmap to Recovery taskforce is now engaging with Government to test how planned proposals may be delivered
MINISTRY of DEFENCE:
COVID Support Force: the MOD’s contribution to the coronavirus response
On 18 March the Defence Secretary announced new measures to enable armed forces personnel to support public services in response to the coronavirus outbreak. This has now been updated in accordance to the MOD’s coronavirus (COVID-19) support contributions as of 28 May 2020.
EDUCATION:
The National Foundation for Educational Research and Nuffield Health have released a report examining schools’ preparedness to opening more widely.
The findings highlight the challenges for school leaders around issues such as staffing, parental decisions and safety in relation to a phased return of whole year groups.
GMB POLL: More than 80% of parents not sending children back to school
A total of 1,601 members responded to a GMB Union survey launched on Friday May 29 – with a massive 1,307 saying they were not planning on sending their children back today.
Fewer than half of parents take up reopened childcare places
According to a survey by the Early Years Alliance, 66% of the 6,300 responses said they were planning to reopen, with 20% saying they would not and 15% saying they were undecided. Chief executive Neil Leitch stated ‘It is no exaggeration to say that the very future of the childcare sector is at risk’ as the survey also revealed just 40% of parents of under-fives say they will send their children back to nursery, preschool or childminders this week.
What parents and carers need to know about schools and other education settings during the coronavirus outbreak
Updated information for parents and carers about the wider opening of nurseries, schools and colleges, transport, attendance, free school meals and remote education including details about opening secondary schools to years 10 and 12 from 15 June and links to guidance on safer travel.
Coronavirus (COVID-19): Tier 4 sponsors, migrants and short-term students
Guidance for Tier 4 sponsors, migrants and short-term students on temporary concessions in response to the outbreak of coronavirus – updated information about Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS): Applications can now be made to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office for a new ATAS certificate.
Early years foundation stage statutory framework (EYFS)
The standards that school and childcare providers must meet for the learning, development and care of children from birth to 5 updated to reflect wider opening of early years settings from 1 June 2020 and to provide a clarification on progress checks for children aged 2.
Student number controls
The measures to protect students and universities during the coronavirus outbreak, including temporary student number controls and additional places.
EMPLOYERS / BUSINESS / FINANCE:
Draft legislation: Taxation of coronavirus (COVID-19) support of payments
HMRC are inviting views on the technical effectiveness of this measure, which ensures that grants within the legislation are subject to tax. These grants are treated as income where the business is within the scope of either Income Tax or Corporation Tax.
The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme is changing – Guidance has been updated
Updates include information about how the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme is changing, what pension trustees may do whilst on furlough and the eligibility of TUPE. From 1 July, employers can bring back to work employees that have previously been furloughed for any amount of time and any shift pattern, while still being able to claim CJRS grant for their normal hours not worked. When claiming the CJRS grant for furloughed hours; employers will need to report and claim for a minimum period of a week. The scheme will close to new entrants from 30 June 2020. From this point onwards, employers will only be able to furlough employees that they have furloughed for a full 3-week period prior to 30 June. This means that the final date by which an employer can furlough an employee for the first time will be 10 June 2020, in order for the current three week furlough period to be completed by 30 June. Employers will have until 31 July to make any claims in respect of the period to 30 June. Further guidance on flexible furloughing and how employers should calculate claims will be published on 12 June 2020
HMRC coronavirus (COVID-19) statistics
HMRC data about the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme, and the VAT payments deferral scheme – published updated data (up to end of Sunday 31 May) for the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme, and published new data for the VAT payments deferral scheme.
Check if you can get Tax-Free Childcare and 30 hours free childcare during coronavirus (COVID-19)
Find out about temporary changes that may affect you if you’re applying for, or already getting, Tax-Free Childcare or 30 hours free childcare.
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.
HEALTH & HEALTHCARE:
Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance
Updated general guidance about coronavirus (COVID-19) for health and social care settings, other non-clinical settings, and for the general public.
PHE data series on deaths in people with COVID-19: technical summary
Summary of the PHE data series on deaths in people with COVID-19, outlining what the changes mean and how the data compare to other COVID-19 death data series. Report updated for the incorporation of pillar 2 testing data.
Legionnaires’ disease: national surveillance scheme
Reporting form updated to include COVID-19 – guidance on the control and prevention of Legionnaires’ disease in England, including disease surveillance and reporting forms.
Top tips for managing mental health resources during coronavirus
During the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, looking after mental and physical health at work has never been more important. Many of us may feel concerned or anxious, having less control over how we work and live our lives. This is a normal response and there are things you can do to support your own — and other people’s — mental health and wellbeing. Our resources for employers, line managers and everyone can help support you at work.
HEALTH & SAFETY:
Guidance for contacts of people with possible or confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) infection who do not live with the person
Updated guidance for contacts of a person with a positive test result for coronavirus (COVID-19) who do not live with that person.
PROPERTY:
Nationwide: Shock as house prices show largest monthly fall in 11 years
UK house prices fell by 1.7 per cent in May, after taking account of seasonal effects – this is the largest monthly fall since February 2009. As a result, the annual rate of house price growth slowed to 1.8 per cent, from 3.7 per cent in April. The figures come from the Nationwide whose chief economist Robert Gardner says: “In the opening months of 2020, before the pandemic struck the UK, the housing market had been steadily gathering momentum. Activity levels and price growth were edging up thanks to continued robust labour market conditions, low borrowing costs and a more stable political backdrop following the general election.
The UK’s financial regulatory body has today confirmed the support that firms should give to mortgage customers.
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has said that firms need to be aware of the difficulties consumers may be facing in the wake of the country’s lockdown. It announced that for customers still experiencing payment difficulties due to coronavirus, firms should offer a full or part payment holiday for a further three months, and that customers yet to apply for a payment holiday have until 31 October 2020 to do so.
RETAIL:
Oxfam plans to reopen some stores from 15th June
Oxfam has asked people to call ahead before donating goods, because storage space at its network of charity shops might be limited. Oxfam stores will begin reopening in England from 15 June. The charity said it could not yet confirm which stores would open in the first phase, nor how many of them. However, it said there would be space for social distancing, while staff and volunteers would have the necessary personal protective equipment.
TRAVEL:
Portugal’s Algarve unveils new rules for beach visitors
Portugal’s beaches will reopen to visitors this weekend as the region’s tourism chief said beaches will have new safety measures put in place – with visitors from different households expected to keep a 1.5m distance from each other.
Colour-coded signage indicating beach occupancy levels will also be introduced and backed up by an app displaying busy hotspots of the beach in real time. Sun parasols will be placed 3m apart. As part of Portugal’s national “Clean and Safe” health and hygiene protocols, 1,900 companies in the Algarve have committed to implementing the policies to protect staff and tourists. There are currently no quarantine requirements on entry to mainland Portugal, while Portuguese tourism officials are reportedly in discussions with the UK government about the possibility of an “air bridge” between the two nations. Ryanair, easyJet and Wizzair will restart services to Faro later this month from the UK and Ireland.
Covid-19 Webinars:
2nd June: Digital Futures – join tech experts More info / book here
2nd June: Shall I apply for Universal Credit More info / book here
2nd June: Digital Leaders: making transformation happen More info / book here
4th June: Social distancing in business More info / book here
4th June: Build Back Better More info / book here
5th June: How to keep your team motivated More info / book here
11th June: Employment – CV and interview tips More info / book here
18th June: Thriving through disruption 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:
2nd June: Offices and contact centres
3rd June: Homes – for people working in, visiting, delivering to homes
You can find recordings of webinars covering other types of workplace settings 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/
As part of our offer to clients on EnterprisingYou we provide free training and personal development activities in areas that would enable them to enhance their skills and further develop their business. This is delivered by our own staff and approved partners. The current activities on offer include topics such as managing cashflow, using social media, networking and marketing but we will also try and source niche activities where possible. We are always interested in increasing what we can offer to clients, so if you are, or know, a training provider that would like to come onto our framework, please visit our partners section on the website or access the tender information page at https://in-tendhost.co.uk/manchestergrowthcompany/aspx/ProjectManage/86
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!
Useful links:
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.