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 Monday 8th June:
Total tests: 5,731,576 tests have been carried / posted out (+ 517,299)
Positive tests: 283,311 have tested positive – (+ 4,088 on previous day)
In hospital: 7,080 are currently in hospital – (-15% from 8,285 last week)
Loss of life: 40,597 across all settings, (+ 55 on previous day)
Cases in Stockport: 1,057 (No new cases 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.
Government daily briefing update Monday 8th June: Matt Hancock
Health and Social Care Secretary’s statement on coronavirus (COVID-19): 8 June 2020
- Daily figure of deaths at lowest since 21st March but may rise due to later recording of deaths at the weekend
- Number of people dying in care homes beginning to fall
- New national Covid-19 social care team will give care homes support, training and resources to control the virus
- Over 1million test kits have been supplied to more than 9,000 care homes
- Government now focused on targeted local action for outbreaks
- R number is now below 1 everywhere and the virus is ‘in retreat’
Slides and datasets to accompany coronavirus press conference: 8 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
As part of our ongoing schedule of business recovery seminars we are pleased to announce Dr John Ashcroft will be joining us on Thursday 11th June 2pm- 3pm.
John will be providing insight into the economic impact of Covid-19 and what a recovery may look like. John is a fantastic orator of economics and delivers in an engaging and informative way. Many of you will be familiar with his economic website https://www.thesaturdayeconomist.com/
The event is free and delivered on a Zoom webinar. To gain access please follow this link to confirm your place (places are limited). Once registered you will receive your personal Zoom link on Wednesday 10th June.
We will endeavour to have questions time towards the end of the session via the Zoom chat function but if you would like to send a question in advance please let us know and we will do our best to have it answered during the session if time allows.
UK HEADLINES:
Plans to reopen primary schools In England to all years have been dropped
The Government has announced it has dropped plans for all primary school children to return to school for at least four weeks before the end of the summer school term. Anne Longfield, Children’s Commissioner for England said while she understood the reason for the decision she believes that there is a way for children to be educated in some way : “When we look at Wales, children will be in school for a third of a week; children need to continue with their education in some way, maybe through online learning or summer camps.” Secondary schools are not likely to reopen until September. Mark Currell, headteacher of a School in Northampton said it’s not feasible to happen under current circumstances with up to 15 to a class and enforced social distancing. Zoom learning is working for some children but not all have access to technology, children are missing their friends, deprived of social interaction. He also suggested that this loss of education, especially among disadvantaged children, is widening the gap further. However, headteachers are able to use their own judgement and initiative as to when, if and how their schools will reopen before the start of the new academic year in September. Helen Whately, MP and Minister for Care said that the Government doesn’t want to take a risk of increasing the infection rate in school but they do want to take care to ensure those children who are out of school are looked after: “it’s a difficult balance and not straight forward.” Helen added that they wanted to get more children back, at the right time and in the right way and that they needed to listen to headteachers with individual needs – their building may not accommodate children safely – and the Government wants to work with them to get the policy right.
Boris Johnson will chair a cabinet meeting later to discuss the next steps in easing England’s lockdown. There are reports that open air hospitality venues, including beer gardens and outdoor cafes, could reopen sooner than the current target date of 4 July.
Whole home testing rolled out to all care homes in England
Every care home in England will now be offered a coronavirus test for all residents and staff, even if they have no symptoms.
National Careers Service Virtual Jobs Fair – all this week
Virtual Jobs Fair – the National Careers Service is holding a second fair from Monday 8 to Friday 12 June. Noteworthy additions to the second fair are the inclusion of more localised hashtags to help people to identify opportunities relevant to them and Wednesday’s live Facebook ‘Employment Workshop’ which will give people tips on writing CVs and preparing for interviews.
LOCAL / REGIONAL NEWS & UPDATES:
Phase two of Local Authority Discretionary Grant Fund extends qualifying criteria
Following the completion of the first round of applications seeking additional financial support from the Local Authority Discretionary (LAD) Grant Fund announced by the Government on May 1st, Stockport Council are inviting applications to a second phase of grant funding where the qualifying criteria has been extended to include those occupying a property, or part of a property, with a rateable value above £15,000 but no more than £20,000. In order for requests to be considered and to meet the qualifying criteria, applicants will need to provide evidence of fixed property costs, a substantial loss of income as a result of the impact of the coronavirus and that they are defined as either a Small or Micro Business. Full qualifying criteria can be found on Stockport Council’s website. Phase two applications open from today – 9am Monday 8th June until midnight on Wednesday 17th June. Stockport Council anticipate most grant applications to be under £10,000 except in exceptional circumstances; payments will be processed from Friday 19th June onwards. Enquiries about the scheme can be emailed to SKLADGRANTS@stockport.gov.uk
Don’t forget to vote for Stockport Council in the Digital Leaders Awards!
Stockport nominated in the Smart City category in the Digital Leaders awards. These awards celebrate the individuals and organisations from the public, private and non-profit sectors who are demonstrating a pioneering and sustainable approach to digital transformation in the UK. 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 administered a further 6 grants bringing the total amount paid to £57,905,000 across 5,033 qualifying businesses and bringing the total now to nearly 92% 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 Fund
Phase 1: closed on Wednesday 3rd June
Applications received: 213 – these are currently being processed
Phase 2: applications opened Monday 8th June – close Wednesday 17th June
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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:
AGRICULTURE:
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. Read this page for regular updates. Latest news updated to advise that Rural Payments helpline will be open on 13 and 14 June.
CONSTRUCTION:
Bellway lifts one tradesperson per house working limit
House builder Bellway is preparing to lift its limit of one tradesperson per house originally employed to restart work under Covid safe working procedures.
After a month long trial, focused on finishing homes near completion, Bellway is raising production and has restarted work on around 230 sites. Jason Honeyman, chief executive, said that over the coming weeks, the careful introduction of further social distancing working practices would enable more than one tradesperson to work in a home at the same time, albeit on separate floors. He added this would get more people back to work and increase the construction rate, while maintaining a safe onsite working environment.
How Covid-19 is impacting on the construction injury
Keep up to date on the effects of Coronavirus/COVID-19 on the UK construction market with weekly insight videos from Glenigan who track every UK construction project from pre-planning to delivery, and therefore have a unique perspective to be able to report on exactly what is happening to planning applications, plans approved, plans refused, site starts, sites put on hold etc.
Plans approved for “Covid Compliant” mixed use scheme
Construction of the 10,000 sq ft 82 Mount Street scheme will start this autumn.
The latest technology will be applied to the design of the entire development to minimise physical touch points as much as possible. Passenger lifts will be designed to be “no touch” using contactless fobs with access to the building controlled by voice recognition systems. Communal areas and apartment living spaces will have finishes and surfaces made from anti-viral materials. REDD is also exploring using materials such as antibacterial copper for key touch point surfaces because it kills Covid-19 in just four hours.
EDUCATION:
Launch of Edge Post Covid-19 Revival Fund – How to Build Back Better
The Edge Foundation has launched a one-off ‘Covid-19 Revival Fund’ with up to £250,000 of grant funding open to institutions and not-for-profit organisations working in the educational sector to support the development of projects and initiatives to revive education and support the sector to ‘build back better’ following the coronavirus.
Teaching about mental wellbeing
Practical materials for primary and secondary schools to use to train staff about teaching mental wellbeing.
Study launched to monitor prevalence of COVID-19 in schools
The new voluntary coronavirus (COVID-19) study will assess and monitor the prevalence of COVID-19 among pre-school, primary and secondary school pupils and teachers.
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 – updated Guidance for teachers, students, parents and carers: Summer 2020 grades for GCSE, AS and A level, Extended Project Qualification and Advanced Extension Award in maths.
Attendance in education and early years settings during the coronavirus outbreak
A summary of attendance in education settings since Monday 23 March and early years settings since Thursday 16 April – added latest data and ‘4 June 2020 summary: attendance in education and early years settings during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak’.
EMPLOYERS / BUSINESS / FINANCE:
Analysis over time, business impact of coronavirus: Waves 2 to 5, UK
This high-level article looks at those businesses who are common across different waves of the BICS survey. We use Sankey diagrams to draw out how those businesses in common have evolved between the different waves from Wave 2, Wave 3, Wave 4 and Wave 5. We look at high level information for the Turnover, Workforce and Trade related questions. This is because the Wave 1 questions do not have the same level of detail we need to assess over time for those variables.
HM Treasury coronavirus (COVID-19) business loan scheme statistics
HMT management information about the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS), Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CLBILS), Bounce Back Loan Scheme (BBLS) and Future Fund Scheme – updated with new figures
Coronavirus support from Business Representative Organisations and Trade Associations
Details of the National Franchise Dealer Association, the Associated Retirement Community Operators, the Association of Vehicle Recovery Operators, the Glass and Glazing Federation and the British Printing Industries Federation added to Business Representative Organisations and Trade Associations that are providing coronavirus related support for specific sectors.
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme: people receiving direct payments
How the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) can be used by direct payment holders who employ people for their care.
The RCG projects that by March 2021, UK businesses are likely to face between £97bn to £107bn of unsustainable debt. Of this amount, around half will sit with SMEs, with between £35bn-£40bn of the unsustainable debt burden on small businesses, and between £16bn-£17bn on medium-sized businesses. By the end of March 2021, while the majority of unsustainable debt will stem from existing debt, the RCG estimates that between £32bn-£36bn of the total unsustainable debt will stem from the Government’s Covid-19 lending schemes; this is broadly a third of total projected lending resulting from the schemes. The RCG’s analysis suggests that the sectors most exposed to unsustainable debt by March 2021 are likely to be property (representing 24% of the total estimated unsustainable debt), accommodation & food services (16%) and construction (11%). On top of the unsustainable debt, some sectors may be less able to weather short-term revenue shocks and will need support sooner than others. The RCG’s analysis suggests accommodation and food services, transport and storage, construction and business admin and support service sectors could be among those.
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 ESF Q & A has been updated with amended answers to existing questions. A new question and answer has also been added. See date next to questions for those updated or added.
HEALTH & HEALTHCARE:
COVID-19: personal protective equipment use for aerosol generating procedures
Guidance on the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) for aerosol generating procedures (AGPs) – added video for donning and doffing PPE when using coveralls instead of gowns.
COVID-19: background information
Updated global case numbers to information on COVID-19 including epidemiology, virology and clinical features.
COVID-19: PHE assessment of laboratory tests and assays
Added DHSC guidance ‘Serology and viral detection testing: UK procurement overview’ to information, resources and guidance relating to the evaluation of COVID-19 tests.
IT & TECHNOLOGY:
Genuine HMRC contact and recognising phishing emails and texts
Find out how to recognise when contact from HMRC is genuine, and how to recognise phishing or bogus emails and text messages – information added about SMS text messages for Tax credit.
JUDICIARY:
Courts and tribunals tracker list during coronavirus outbreak
Updated page that holds a tracker list of open, staffed and suspended courts during the coronavirus outbreak. It will be regularly updated.
MANUFACTURING:
PPE production starts in Grimsby thanks to Austrian investment
Austria-based Hygiene Austria are set to produce 10 million face masks per month in Grimsby in a project that will create around 60 new jobs in the next 3 months
PROPERTY:
Big rise in Buy-to-Let mortgages as market recovers
There’s been a significant increase in the mortgage choice available to landlords as the buy to let market gets closer to normal trading again after the lockdown. Independent mortgage monitor Moneyfacts says the choice in products has increased, and some higher loan-to-value average rates have reduced. Overall, there are 280 more buy to let products available now than there were at the start of May, just five weeks ago. The product choice at 75 per cent loan to value has increased by 46 two-year fixed rate deals and 54 more products are available in the five-year fixed rate bracket. The picture at 80 per cent LTV is similar, with this traditionally smaller sector increasing by 26 two-year fixed rate products and 20 more options available for those seeking a five-year fixed rate over the month.
RETAIL:
Veggie Pret set to reopen alongside delivery service with Deliveroo
The 10 Veggie Pret shops in London and Manchester, which have been shut during the coronavirus pandemic, will reopen on 11th June with safety and social distancing measures in place
British Beer & Pub Association urges Government to make decision on opening
The association has also reiterated that even if pub beer gardens reopen from June 22nd, the priority must still be for ALL pubs to be free to reopen from July 4th as originally indicated in Government’s roadmap for the recovery of the economy
Association of Convenience Stores issues new guidance to support carers in shops
The guidance helps retailers and colleagues working in local stores to identify carers as the ACS look at ways to support the UK’s 6.5 million unpaid carers
TRAVEL:
Jet2 postpones July holiday restart by two weeks to July 15th
Jet2 said it was “working closely with all relevant authorities” to ensure the safety of passengers and guests – and would be introducing a range of safety measures on aircraft and transfer vehicles/
Airlines seek quarantine injunction as holiday bookings take off
The number of Britons booking holidays abroad has doubled in a week amid claims that the “irrational” quarantine on arrivals into the UK could be quashed by the courts. International Airlines Group is planning to file papers with the High Court today requesting an urgent hearing to apply for an injunction against the policy. The legal challenge is being backed by Ryanair and EasyJet.
Covid-19 Webinars:
10th June: Retailers: how to thrive in the new landscape 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:
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
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