Latest data:
Total tests: 2,772,552 tests have now taken place
Positive tests: 246,406 people have tested positive + 2,412 on previous day
Loss of life: 35,341 people have died across all settings, + 545 more deaths since the previous day’s figures
In Stockport: There are 1,014 cases of Covid-19 + 1 over previous day
Government news and briefing from 19th May:
- · Need to rely on British workers to lend a hand on fruit and veg farms
- · Launch of Pick for Britain website
- · Opportunity for furlough workers to volunteer as pickers
Slides and datasets to accompany coronavirus press conference: 19 May 2020
Press conference slides and datasets used by The Rt Hon George Eustice MP and Professor Angela McLean, Deputy Chief Scientific Adviser.
HEADLINE NEWS:
Pick for Britain helps bring workers and employers together
The UK Government and Prince of Wales have urged students and furloughed workers to apply for seasonal farm work. As part of efforts to support British farmers and growers to recruit workers throughout the harvest period, the UK Government launched the Pick for Britain website in partnership with industry to help match up available opportunities with local jobseekers.
Check the tax rules on waiving your income or donating to charity
HMRC advice for people choosing to give up their income to support their business or donate to charity during the coronavirus pandemic.
Updates
Apprenticeship programme response
Updated with information on training and assessing apprentices in line with the Government’s new safer working guidelines, calculating wages for furloughed apprentices, off-the-job training, and redundant apprentices.
Capacity Market: proposal to relax the rules temporarily in response to COVID-19 The UK Government response to this consultation has been published. The response outlines how the Government intends to implement the majority of proposals outlined in the coronavirus (COVID-19) easements consultation. The easements will be temporary and only remain in place as long as necessary.
LOCAL / REGIONAL NEWS & UPDATES:
Huge confidence boost for Stockport as leading developer CAPITAL&CENTRIC buy iconic Weir Mill
Social impact developer CAPITAL&CENTRIC has completed the purchase of the historic Weir Mill in Stockport town centre, with plans to create a thriving new mixed-use community, part of the important regeneration area within Stockport MDC who are spearheading change at Stockport Town Centre West. Famed for delivering high quality, innovative design and ambitious regeneration projects, CAPITAL&CENTRIC is set to transform this gateway site.
In their first foray into the town, the £60m project will create around 250 apartments across the restored mill buildings and some new build.
Located alongside the town’s iconic viaduct, the site includes a number of grade two-listed mill buildings, some of which were originally built in the late 1700s, used over the years for a variety of commercial purposes. The new scheme will incorporate a frontage onto the River Mersey, opening up public access to the waterside. There are also plans for ground floor commercial spaces complementing the residential offering, including café-bars, delis and independent shops and surrounding courtyards and green spaces.
Healthy boost for low income families during pandemic
A quicker, simpler application process for Healthy Start food vouchers has been welcomed by Greater Manchester health leaders amid concerns around food poverty during the coronavirus pandemic. The changes mean families no longer need a health professional, such as a midwife or health visitor, to complete and sign the application form. Healthy Start vouchers worth up to £6.20 a week are available to pregnant women and parents of children aged under four who receive certain benefits such as income support or jobseeker’s allowance. Anyone who is aged under 18 and pregnant is also eligible. The vouchers can be used to help buy basic healthy foods such as fresh fruit and vegetables, milk or infant formula.
Holiday Inn Express Stockport has welcomed more than 415 key workers through its doors.
The hotel, on Station Road, remains open and operational for those carrying out essential work during the Covid-19 pandemic, and has so far provided accommodation for employees from the NHS, Police Force, PPE manufacturing, Medical Supplies firms and is now able to offer accommodation to those government approved business such as construction.
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. Applications will be open on Friday 22nd May at 9am, subject to the software supplier providing the system update for the online form, or as soon as possible after that date and time. 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 14 grants in the past 24 hours bringing the total amount paid to over £55million across 4,779 qualifying businesses and 87.3% 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/
Help us to help you and your business
Totally Stockport and Stockport Council want to understand the challenges facing your organisation once you consider resuming your business so that we can provide the right help, support and advice for our businesses and local economy to recover.
Please complete this short survey (7-8 questions) to help us to understand what help is needed – by taking part you will be supporting us all to rebuild our economy together. Please encourage all of your contacts and networks to take part in the survey so that we can get as much information as possible.
Visit www.bidsurvey.com and help them to help you.
EDUCATION:
Coronavirus (COVID-19): safeguarding in schools, colleges and other providers
Update made to Guidance for schools and colleges to provide guidance on what schools and colleges should be thinking about as they plan for more children to return from week commencing 1 June – especially around updating the child protection policy, designated safeguarding lead arrangements, protecting vulnerable children and mental health.
Coronavirus (COVID-19): attendance in education and early years settings
Updated COVID-19 attendance in education settings data and added Coronavirus (COVID-19) attendance in education settings: 15 May 2020 summary added to summary of how many children and teachers attended education and childcare settings since Monday 23 March.
Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance for educational settings
Added updated poster to guidance for schools and other educational settings about coronavirus (COVID-19).
EMPLOYERS / BUSINESS / FINANCE:
Working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19) business webinars – find out how to make your workplace COVID-secure
The UK Government, in consultation with industry, has produced guidance to help ensure workplaces in England are as safe as possible during the coronavirus pandemic. Join a free webinar, hosted by the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, to find out more about how to make your workplace COVID-secure.
The webinars cover a range of different types of workplace settings which are allowed to be open. Many businesses operate more than one type of workplace, such as an office, factory and fleet of vehicles. You may need to use more than one of the guides/webinars as you think through what you need to do to keep people safe.
- Wednesday 27 May, 11am: Factories, plants and warehouses – Guidance for people who run factories, plants and warehouses
- Wednesday 27 May, 3pm: Restaurants offering takeaway or delivery – Guidance for people who run restaurants offering takeaway or delivery services.
- Thursday 28 May, 11am: Shops and branches – Guidance for people who run shops, branches, stores or similar environments.
- Thursday 28 May, 3pm: Vehicles – Guidance for people who work in or from vehicles, including couriers, mobile workers, lorry drivers, on-site transit and work vehicles, field forces and similar.
- Monday 1 June, 11am: Construction and other outdoor work – Guidance for people who run outdoor working environments.
- Monday 1 June, 3pm: Labs and research facilities – Guidance for people who run indoor labs and research facilities and similar environments
- Tuesday 2 June, 11am: Offices and contact centres – Guidance for people who run offices, contact centres and similar indoor environments
- Tuesday 2 June, 3pm: Homes – Guidance for people working in, visiting or delivering to home environments as well as their employers
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. The fund will be open for applications from Wednesday 20 May 2020. These convertible loans may be a suitable option for businesses that typically rely on equity investment and are unable to access other government business support programmes because they are either pre-revenue or pre-profit. The Future Fund was developed by the UK Government and is being delivered by the British Business Bank.
Bank of England: Update to Covid Corporate Financing Facility
Over 230 businesses are currently approved as eligible to access the CCFF. The facility has supported £18.8bn of lending to 55 businesses and authorised a further £38.8bn of potential lending including to another 68 businesses that make a significant contribution to the UK economy. The CCFF will continue to allow businesses that can demonstrate that they were in sound financial health as at 1 March 2020 to borrow from the Bank of England by issuing short-term commercial paper. The update announced today is the result of continued close cooperation between HM Treasury and the Bank. It aims to promote the ability of companies to repay their borrowings from the facility in an orderly way after the Scheme closes to new drawings in March 2021. The update has two main components.
Larger businesses to benefit from loans of up to £200 million
Government extends maximum loan size available through the Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme from £50 million to £200 million.
– loans under the expanded scheme will be made available to large businesses
affected by coronavirus from next week
– changes also mean companies receiving help through CLBILS and the Bank of
England’s Coronavirus Corporate Financing Fund will be asked to agree to not
pay dividends and to exercise restraint on senior pay.
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) apply by 20th May for May payment
As many businesses prepare to make another claim in order to receive money by the end of May, you need to apply by Wednesday 20?? May, you’ll receive the money within six working days.
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. Employers will be able to make claims to the Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme through a new online service. Employers will receive repayments at the relevant rate of SSP that they have paid to current or former employees for eligible periods of sickness starting on or after 13 March 2020. HMRC has published online guidance which includes information about who can use the scheme and the records employers must keep. Click here to find out more.
HM Government: Covid-19, Requests for Business Intelligence and Assistance
Tell us how your business might be able to help with the response to coronavirus by using the online service Share the impact coronavirus is having on your organisation?. Let us know how the outbreak is impacting your business.
Please send your intelligence, including information and feedback on the safer workplace guidance, to intel@beis.gov.uk. Commercially sensitive information will be treated accordingly.??Please note that this inbox is only for receiving intelligence?and does not provide?business advice.??
Help us shine a light on the stories of key workers:
Tell us about key workers you know that are helping to keep the UK moving during the Coronavirus pandemic. Please fill in this online form for key workers in the following sectors: manufacturing, construction, consumer goods, scientists/researchers, servicing, postal workers, and oil/gas/electricity/water/sewage/chemical workers.
HEALTH:
How tests and testing kits for coronavirus (COVID-19) work
Added new HTML document on the process for developing and evaluating novel molecular assays for COVID-19 to the different types of tests and testing kits for COVID-19, and the specifications for manufacturers.
Coronavirus (COVID-19): admission and care of people in care homes
Updated the guidance to add a loss of, or change in, normal sense of smell or taste (anosmia) as a symptom of coronavirus. The changes are in Section 2, Annex A and Annex B to ‘How to protect care home residents and staff during the coronavirus outbreak.’
IT & CYBER FRAUD:
National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) Covid-19 SME Guidance
NCSC has today published guidance to support businesses moving from physical to digital delivery as part of the ongoing Covid-19 response. The guidance has been created specifically to support businesses who are relying more heavily on IT services to run their business. The NCSC is committed to equipping all UK businesses with the best cyber security advice. The support package includes guidance on home working, video teleconferencing and spotting email scams related to Covid-19. All additional and pre-existing guidance for business can be found on the NCSC webpage.
easyjet reveals extent of cyber-attack on customer data
The airline confirmed on Tuesday (19 May) email addresses and travel details belonging to approximately nine million customers were accessed, along with 2,208 customers’ credit card details.
Customers whose credit card details were compromised will be have already been contacted and offered support. Others affected by the attack will be contacted in the next few days – by 26 May at the latest.
EasyJet said while passport details weren’t accessed, on the recommendation of the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), it will advise customers of protective steps they can take to guard against any potential phishing exploits.
MENTAL HEALTH & WELLBEING:
Public Health England: Every Mind Matters in 12 simple tips
It’s Mental Health Week and Public Health England are reminding us that taking crae of our minds, as well as our bodies, is really important while spending more time at home and isolated due to the coronavirus.
Every Mind Matters has put together 12 simple tips to help you us keep on top of our mental wellbeing and cope with how we are feeling. Read their top 12 tips
They have also updated your Mind Plan with new actions to maintain our mental health and wellbeing with simple ideas like a 10 minute home workout
Raising awareness of services this Mental Health Awareness Week.
Anyone may feel under strain or stress at times and connecting with each other is a great first step to maintain emotional wellbeing; talking about concerns does lighten the load. You may find these sources of support helpful:
Resources and support for emotional wellbeing and mental health in Stockport at https://www.stockport.gov.uk/wellbeingcoronavirus, including basic wellbeing tips, a 24/7 mental health helpline Open Door (aged 18+, 0800 138 7726), the online Big White Wall, and Samaritans (phone 116 123 any time), plus other local services.
Resources for workplace wellbeing include a Wellbeing in the Workplace programme offered by Samaritans https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/workplace/
Workplace Wellbeing Toolkit from Mental Health at Work (available here)
TRANSPORT:
Conservationists rescued from one of the most isolated places in the world
A team of conservationists stranded on one of the most remote places on earth made it back to the UK following a 12-day voyage to Ascension Island and a military flight home.
TRAVEL:
Portugal set to reopen beaches and hotels in June
Portugal will begin to reopen its hotels and beaches next month, subject to “strict and rigorous” health and safety requirements.
The country entered the second phase of its “reopening strategy” this week, which has seen museums and other cultural attractions – including monuments, galleries, palaces and churches – reopen their doors.
Restaurants, cafes, patisseries, terraces, promenades and shops of up to 400sq/m have also been given the green light to resume trading.
Portugal was also able to restore some transport services earlier this month, including car rental and public transport, without harming the country’s downward coronavirus curve.
Covid-19 Webinars:
20th May: Growth Hub: Navigating the funding maze More info / book here
20th May: Grant Thornton: Leading through the unknown More info / book here
21st May: Covid-19: Managing your talent strategy More info / book here
21st May: Preparing for a safe Return to Work More info / book here
26th May: Is more devolution key to recovery? More info / book here
2nd June: Digital Futures – join tech experts More info / book here
International Trade webinars:
21st May: Risk management when considering new markets?
22nd May: Managing disruption of supply chains during COVID-19
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/
Useful links:
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.
Grant top-up fund: Government publishes advice for local authorities
NB: Stockport Council will produce a local application and eligibility criteria and this information will be publicised an circulated as soon as possible
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