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:
Total tests: 3,798,490 UK tests have been carried out (+ 265,856)
Positive tests: 261,184 have tested positive – (+ 6,056 on previous day)
In hospital: 8,834 people are in hospital in the UK: (-12%)
Loss of life: 37,460 across all settings, (+ 412 on previous day)
Cases in Stockport: 1,042 (down from 1,044)
Latest Government news and briefing:
- ‘World-beating’ Track and Trace scheme begins in England & Scotland today
- Track & Trace scheme will start to replace national lockdown with individual isolation and local action
- Hairdressers could be allowed to reopen after 4th July
- Summer schools could be back on the agenda
Slides and datasets to accompany coronavirus press conference: 27 May 2020
HEADLINES:
Track and Trace scheme begins in earnest today in England and Scotland
25,000 contact tracers, including 7,500 qualified clinicians will, from 9am this morning, begin the Government’s track and trace initiative, designed to break the chain and reduce the rate of infection. While not yet mandatory, Health Secretary Mat Hancock said it was “everyone’s civic duty”. Test and trace is routinely and widely used to manage contagious diseases. The new team will be contacting those who have tested positive and trace contacts who have been 2 meters apart for 15 minutes or closer asking them to self-isolate for 14 days. Those who report that they are showing symptoms of coronavirus will be asked take a test with results in 24 hours from swab to result. Those who test positive will be asked to report who they have been in contact with so they too can be contacted and asked to self-isolate for 14 days. Although on a voluntary basis, Mr Hancock warned that the Government has the power to make it mandatory but believes most of people will cooperate. Contacts who have already had virus will still have to isolate even if they have developed anti-bodies. The onus he said is on the employer to encourage employees to follow social distancing rules and protect their business from further closures. Around 7-9,000 cases at the moment have the potential to track and trace. The scheme will also pave the way for ‘local lockdowns’ to be introduced in the future.
Government launches NHS Test and Trace service
New guidance means those who have been in close contact with someone who tests positive must isolate for 14 days, even if they have no symptoms.
UK Finance: Lenders provide 650,000 businesses with £27.5billion Covid-19 finance
Lenders have approved £27.5 billion to more than 650,000 businesses so far through the three major government-backed lending schemes. The industry is providing an unprecedented level of support to businesses across the United Kingdom in response to the Covid-19 crisis. In just two months since the launch of the first coronavirus loan scheme, lenders have approved over 650,000 facilities through the Bounce Back Loan Scheme (BBLS), the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) and the Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CLBILS). In the past week alone, more than £5.4 billion in lending has been provided to over 146,000 firms through government-backed lending schemes. This decisive action by lenders to support businesses affected by the coronavirus crisis is part of the industry’s plan to get Britain through these challenging times. The Bounce Back Loan scheme – aimed at sole traders and micro businesses – has seen £18.45 billion provided by lenders. £4.3 billion has been approved in the last week, an average of £615 million each day. The number of loans agreed through the scheme increased by over 143,000 to 608,000.
LOCAL / REGIONAL NEWS & UPDATES:
2020 STOCKPORT BUSINESS AWARDS CANCELLED DUE TO COVID 19!
Founders and organisers, Clarke Nicklin Chartered Accountants, have made the decision to cancel the 2020 Stockport Business awards due to the current situation regarding Covid-19. Entries opened early April with the hope this year’s event could take place at Stockport Town Hall on the 08 October. However as the situation has developed and the uncertainty around venues being open, social distancing requirements if venues do open, and the variability of the situation for businesses, the event will now be postponed until 2021.
Message from the organisers:
musicMagpie passes the £100k fundraising mark for the NHS in just seven weeks
Supported by a surge in demand for its products as people look to work, stay connected and be entertained from home musicMagpie, has passed £100k in its fundraising scheme for the NHS Charities Together scheme, in just seven weeks.
The Stockport-based online recommerce business launched this huge fundraising initiative at the beginning of April, by pledging to donate £1 for every single item of consumer tech it purchases from its customers, as well as donating £1 for each refurbished tech item sold on its online store. The scheme is set to run until the end of June, in which time musicMagpie hopes to be able to hit the original target of £250k raised in total.
Government launches Business Reopening Toolkit
The Government’s Business Reopening Toolkit is designed to help and support businesses to reopen safely and securely adhering to Government guidelines. It is especially relevant to supporting retailers to open in Stockport town centre & across the District Centres.
John Lewis Cheadle Royal will reopen next month
John Lewis Partnership’s Cheadle store has been listed as one of the first set to reopen when restrictions of non-essential retail are to be lifted in June, the department store has announced. John Lewis Cheadle store, along with the rest of the chain’s 50 outlets, have been closed since 23rd March. Waitrose supermarkets have however remained open during lockdown and the firm expects to use its experience to implement social distancing measures successfully on reopening. The Cheadle store is due to open on June 18th, although other John Lewis stores will reopen on the 15th with precautions in place to prevent the spread of Covid-19. The chain has continued trading online, and seen an increase in sales through its website.
Getting Greater Manchester moving, one mile at a time!
GM Walking are looking for Greater Manchester residents to share their thoughts on how to get residents walking more, and have set out an ambition of population scale participation in walking a mile a day.
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 17 grants in the past 24 hours bringing the total amount paid to £56,460,000 across 4,905 qualifying businesses and 89.6% 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:
COMMUNITY:
Over half of small businesses carrying out work in the community
Small business leaders have been at the frontline, carrying out key community roles during the crisis (57%), prioritising and supporting vulnerable customers (30%), donating provisions to local food banks (24%), supporting to key workers (23%) and home deliveries to vulnerable customers free of charge (19%) as well as signing up to be NHS volunteers (9%).
EDUCATION:
SPI-M-O: Consensus view on the impact of mass school closures, 19 February 2020
Consensus statement from the Scientific Pandemic Influenza Group on Modelling, Operational sub-group (SPI-M-O) for the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE).
Coronavirus (COVID-19): financial support for education, early years and children’s social care
Guidance updated to clarify statutory sick pay relief to funding and financial support available for education, childcare and children’s social care organisations.
Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance on isolation for residential educational settings
New coronavirus (COVID-19) guidance updates to support management of children and young people in residential educational settings, including boarding schools, residential special schools and children’s social care.
EMPLOYERS / BUSINESS / FINANCE:
Statutory sick pay rebate scheme
Small businesses and employers across the UK who have paid statutory sick pay to staff taking coronavirus-related leave can now claim this back. If you are an employer with fewer than 250 employees, you can claim for Coronavirus related Statutory Sick Pay (SSP). You can also speak to your tax agent about making claims on your behalf. The repayment will cover up to two weeks of the applicable rate of SSP.
Full details of the scheme can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-back-statutory-sick-pay-paid-to-employees-due-to-coronavirus-covid-19
Coronavirus grant funding: local authority payments to small and medium businesses
Local authorities have received and distributed funding to support small and medium businesses in England during coronavirus.
Help and support if your business is affected by coronavirus (COVID-19)
Updated 2 videos under ‘Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme’. The videos explain how the scheme works and how you can claim.
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.
Check if you can claim back Statutory Sick Pay paid to employees due to coronavirus (COVID-19)
If you’re an employer, you can now claim for employees who are self-isolating because they’ve been notified by the NHS or public health bodies that they’ve come into contact with someone with coronavirus.
NHS test and trace: workplace guidance
Guidance on the NHS test and trace service for employers, businesses and workers.
Help and support if your business is affected by coronavirus (COVID-19)
The YouTube video about how to make a claim through the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme has been updated. Watch videos and register for the free webinars to learn more about the?support available to help you deal with the economic impacts of?coronavirus.
Statistics relating to Covid-19 and the immigration system, May 2020
A statistical report showing the impact of Covid-19 on the immigration system, up to April 2020.
Work out 80% of your employees’ wages to claim through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
Find out how to calculate 80% of your employee’s wages, National Insurance contributions (NICs) and pension contributions if you’ve furloughed staff due to coronavirus (COVID-19).
Ministerial University Research and Knowledge Exchange Sustainability Taskforce
Terms of reference and membership for the joint BEIS/DFE taskforce.
FOOD & DRINK:
Pandemic hits food and drink exports but non-EU sales of branded goods grow
The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) has today published analysis showing that in the first quarter of 2020, food and drink exports fell by over £700m (-12.7%) compared to the same period in 2019. Sales to the EU were hit the hardest, with total value falling by 17.4% compared to 2019. This decrease was largely driven by the immediate impacts of COVID-19, including the closure of hospitality and travel sectors, which has meant a loss of sales into restaurants, cafés, bars and the out-of-home sector across Europe.
Pub sector urges Chancellor to maintain furlough at 80% until October
The British Beer and Pub Association, the British Institute of Innkeeping and UKHospitalityhave written to Rishi Sunak, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, to ask him to keep the furlough scheme salary for pub and hospitality staff at 80% until October as the sector is two months behind others in reopening and to introduce flexibility from July rather than August.
HEALTH & HEALTHCARE:
NHS test and trace: how it works
An overview of the NHS test and trace service, including what happens if you test positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) or have had close contact with someone who has tested positive.
COVID-19: guidance for households with possible coronavirus infection
Updated ‘Stay at home: guidance for households with possible coronavirus (COVID-19) infection’.
Guidance for contacts of people with possible or confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) infection who do not live with the person
Guidance for contacts of a person with a positive test result for coronavirus (COVID-19) who do not live with that person.
Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance
Added guidance for contacts of people with possible or confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) infection who do not live with the person
SPI-M-O working group on scenario planning: Consensus view on COVID-19, 25 March 2020
Scenarios prepared by the Scientific Pandemic Influenza Group on Modelling, Operational sub-group (SPI-M-O) for the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE).
COVID-19 Genomics UK (COG-UK) Consortium: weekly report 1, 23 March 2020
Report from COG-UK to the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE).
SPI-B: The role of behavioural science in the coronavirus outbreak, 14 March 2020
Background paper prepared by the Scientific Pandemic Influenza Group on Behaviours (SPI-B) for the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE).
SPI-B: Insights on self-isolation and household isolation, 9 March 2020
Background paper prepared by the Scientific Pandemic Influenza Group on Behaviours (SPI-B) for the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE).
Potential impact of behavioural and social interventions on an epidemic of COVID-19 in the UK, 9 March 2020
Updated paper on the impact of behavioural and social interventions for the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies
Exceptional GMP flexibilities for medicines manufacturers during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
Added link to email address to use to report any difficulties, and a link to reporting the use of regulatory flexibilities to temporary good manufacturing practice (GMP) flexibilities allowed to address the current exceptional circumstances
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.
Number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases and risk in the UK
Added new information about testing and capacity times series to the latest number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases and risk level in the UK.
Support for the bereaved
Information to help bereaved families, friends or next of kin make important decisions: ‘What to do when someone dies during the COVID-19 pandemic’.
HEALTH & SAFETY:
Options for increasing adherence to social distancing measures, 22 March 2020
Paper prepared for the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE).
SPI-B: Easing restrictions on activity and social distancing – comments and suggestions, 1 April 2020
Paper by the Scientific Pandemic Influenza Group on Behaviours (SPI-B) for the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE).
SPI-B: Risk of public disorder, 25 February 2020
Return by the Scientific Pandemic Influenza Group on Behaviours (SPI-B) to the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) on the risk of public disorder.
SPI-M-O: Consensus view on public gatherings, 11 February 2020
Consensus statement from the Scientific Pandemic Influenza Group on Modelling, Operational sub-group (SPI-M-O) for the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE).
SPI-B: Insights on public gatherings, 12 March 2020
Paper by the Scientific Pandemic Influenza Group on Behaviours (SPI-B) for the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE).
PROPERTY:
Corona Fallout: Renters admit they’re less likely to own a home now
Research by insurance firm Aviva suggests private tenants are now more pessimistic about being able to buy their own home. In December, six months ago, the firm found that 68 per cent of non-homeowners hoped to buy a property in future: now that figures is just 52 per cent. In line with this, the number of under-25s hoping to get on the property ladder in the next five years has decreased from 35 per cent in December to 27 per cent today. The number of households – renting and owning – looking to trade up to a bigger property has also fallen from 10 to eight per cent, suggesting the current housing market is causing people to put plans on hold.
Changes to notifying an option to tax land and buildings during coronavirus (COVID-19)
Check temporary changes to the time limit and rules for notifying an option to tax land and buildings.
RETAIL:
John Lewis reveals plans for a phased re-opening
John Lewis is set to reopen 13 stores next month with a host of strict safety measures in place to keep customers safe. The department store chain said it then hopes to open more outlets during the summer months – depending on the response to its “new ways of operating”.
Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance for local government
Announcement: Timeline for retail to reopen: Home care – guidance added for local councils during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
TRANSPORT:
Coronavirus (COVID-19) transport data: methodology note
Added details on the breakdown of road-traffic data by selected vehicle types, as well as additional information on TfL Tube and bus data to data sources and methodology information for transport data that is part of the government’s daily media briefings on coronavirus (COVID-19).
TRAVEL:
Budget carrier easyJet today announced plans to axe up to 30% of its workforce. The airline, which operates 46 routes out of Manchester Airport and 34 from Liverpool John Lennon Airport, said the move is linked to a reduction in its fleet due to lower capacity caused by the coronavirus pandemic. It said in the fourth quarter of this year it will probably fly around 30% of the planned capacity flown in the same period last year.
Spain calls for EU-wide coronavirus travel framework
Spain has called on its EU partners to agree a common framework for travel within the Schengen area to ensure Europe emerges promptly from the coronavirus crisis, and to encourage tourism.
French border restrictions in response to coronavirus
A summary of the border restrictions in place for travelling to the UK and to France.
Covid-19 Webinars:
28th May: Marketing in a crisis More info / book here
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
11th June: Employment – CV and interview tips More info / book here
Make your workplace COVID-secure:
27th May: Factories, plants and warehouses
27th May: Restaurants offering takeaway or delivery
28th May: Shops and branches
28th May: Vehicles – Guidance for people who work in or from vehicles
1st June: Construction and other outdoor work
1st June: Labs and research facilities
2nd June: Offices and contact centres
3rd June: Homes – for people working in, visiting, delivering to homes
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!
Useful Links:
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 SchemeFrom 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.