Latest data:
Testing: 1,383,842 people have now been tested for the virus
Positive tests: 194,990 people have tested positive
Loss of life: 29,427 people have died across all settings, 693 more deaths since the previous day’s figures
In Stockport: There are 896 cases of Covid-19, 23 up on previous day
Updates from Government Daily Briefing
Tuesday 5th May by Dominic Raab:
- UK has highest number of reported deaths in Europe
- Reiterated 5 tests that need to be met before lockdown measures can be lifted:
- Boost NHS capacity so it can cope
- See a sustained and consistent fall in the number of deaths
- See reductions in the rate of infection to manageable levels
- Have confidence the NHS, testing and PPE supply can cope with future demand
- Ensure adjustments the Government make won’t risk a second peak
- International initiative to fight criminals attacking the frontline, exploiting crisis
- Brexit negotiations are continuing and making progress
Foreign Secretary’s statement on coronavirus (COVID-19): 5 May 2020
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab gave the 5 May 2020 daily press briefing on the government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Slides and datasets to accompany coronavirus press conference: 5 May 2020
Press conference slides and datasets used by Professor Angela McLean, Deputy Chief Scientific Adviser.
LOCAL / REGIONAL NEWS & UPDATES:
Greater Manchester vows to Build Back Better
Perhaps a crisis of this magnitude will enable us to reimagine our world and provide us with the opportunity to redesign it. We intend to grasp that opportunity with both hands. We believe that by working together – business, public sector, third sector and citizens – we can build an economy that’s better for everyone in Greater Manchester, and for our northern neighbours.
Manchester Airport Group (MAG) has received a £250 million support package from the 10 Greater Manchester councils to see the city’s airport through the coronavirus crisis.
Manchester City Council owns a 35.5% stake in MAG, which also operates Stansted and East Midlands airports, and will provide £143 million, with the nine other local authorities owning 29% collectively and providing £13 million each.
Dividends from the shares in MAG provided £70 million for Manchester City Council last year and the airport is considered to be of vital economic importance for the city-region’s recovery due to its global connectivity. The funding was supported by Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham in a press conference on May 5th.
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:
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.
Covid-19 Webinars:
7th May: Property management tips on coronavirus More info / book here
15th May: Stakeholder Mapping in a Covid-19 lockdown More info / book here
26th May: Is more devolution key to recovery? More info / book here
HMRC: Recorded webinars on YouTube
HMRC: JobRetention Scheme – general information
HMRC: JobRetention Scheme – how to make a claim
HMRC: Covid-19 Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme
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
These webinars are very popular, so we’ll do our best to answer your questions or signpost you to useful guidance.
If you’ve missed any of our live webinars, you can catch up with our series of recorded webinars on HMRC’s YouTube channel – available at a time to suit you.
We will bring you the most up-to-date information to keep you fully informed of changes as they develop.
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/
CONSTRUCTION:
Local leaders pledge to continue vital building safety work
Leaders from 25 councils have pledged their commitment to ensuring vital building safety work continues during the pandemic.
EDUCATION:
Coronavirus (COVID-19): travel advice for educational settings
Advice for educational settings, and their students and staff, who are travelling or planning to travel during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak – guidance updated to advise British nationals against all non-essential international travel for an indefinite period
Eligibility for government childcare offers protected
Temporary measures ensure critical workers will still be eligible for childcare offers if their income has changed due to coronavirus
Coronavirus (COVID-19): attendance in education and early years settings
Updated spreadsheets and added ‘Coronavirus (COVID-19) attendance in education settings to ‘a summary of how many children and teachers attended education and childcare settings since Monday 23 March.’
Consultation decisions on who should receive a calculated grade for GCSEs, AS and A levels.
In line with our consultation proposal, we have decided that students entered for exams in year 10 and below will be eligible to receive calculated grades this summer. This follows the majority of responses received, which indicate that the progression of some students would be disrupted if they were not awarded a grade this summer, and to exclude them would have an unfair impact.
NASUWT warn against premature reopening of schools in UK & Ireland
The letter, sent by the British Irish Group of Teacher Unions (BIGTU) on behalf of almost 1 million teachers and education staff, warns of the “very real risk of creating a spike in the transmission of the virus by a premature opening of schools”.
It calls for the establishment of sufficient capacity to “test trace and isolate” the infection as a prerequisite for school reopening, alongside “significant operational changes [being] in place to ensure effective social distancing, strong hygiene routines linked to thorough cleansing practices, appropriate PPE [being] available where required, and ongoing risk assessments in place to monitor operations.”
Case studies: remote education practice for schools during coronavirus (COVID-19)
Examples of practice for remote education from schools and academies across England.
EMPLOYERS / BUSINESS FINANCE:
Business rates revaluation postponed
A revaluation of business rates will no longer take place in 2021 to help reduce uncertainty for firms affected by the impacts of coronavirus.
HMRC invites self-employed to get ready to make their claims
The claims?service?will open on 13 May and is being?delivered?ahead of the original timetable. This?will help millions of self-employed people, covering a wide range of industries and jobs, whose livelihoods have been adversely affected by the coronavirus.
Those who are eligible will be able to claim a taxable grant worth 80% of their average trading profits up to a maximum of £7,500 (equivalent to three months’ profits), paid in a single instalment.
You can check your eligibility using the new online checker tool. Once the online check is complete, those who are eligible will be given a date when they can submit their claim.
The claims?service?will open on 13 May and is being?delivered?ahead of the original timetable. The claims process will be very simple,?and those eligible will have the money paid into their bank account?by 25 May, or within?six working days?of completing a claim.? There is also further guidance available on ‘How HMRC works out trading profits and non-trading income for the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme’ and ‘How different circumstances affect the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme’.
Stockport businesses grant funding payments:
Stockport Council have administered a further 76 grants in the past 24 hours bringing the total amount paid to £51,625,000 across 4,465 qualifying businesses and 80.2% of those identified as eligible as at 11/03/2020. If your business qualifies for a grant, please complete the online application form.
If you have any queries please email business.rates@stockport.gov.uk
Webinars and videos from HMRC are now available, advising businesses on how to deal with the economic impacts of coronavirus, and how to access support.
ACAS runs a series of webinars on employment law and employment relations
The HMRC Job Retention Scheme – Tuesday 12th May Book here
The HMRC Job Retention Scheme – Thursday 14th May Book here
Covid-19 Business Grant Funding Documentation
ENVIRONMENTAL:
Coronavirus (COVID-19): advice to local authorities on prioritising waste collections
Added the document “Managing Household Waste and Recycling Centres (HWRCs) in England during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic” to a guide to help waste collectors prioritise their collection services during the coronavirus pandemic. This includes managing household waste recycling centres.
Coronavirus (COVID-19): letter to councils on the re-opening of household waste and recycling centres
Letter to councils in England on the re-opening household waste and recycling centres.
EXPORT:
Covid-19 Temporary Export Measures
Affected products include personal protection equipment – PPE, pharma products, hand sanitiser, food and certain other products
HEALTH & WELLBEING:
COVID-19: guidance on shielding and protecting people defined on medical grounds as extremely vulnerable
Added translated guidance to information for shielding and protecting people defined on medical grounds as extremely vulnerable from COVID-19.
Health Secretary welcomes reopening of fertility services
New guidance will allow clinics to reopen if they can prove measures to protect staff and patients are in place – removed the following line: ‘NHS England and NHS Clinical Commissioners are drawing up guidance for CCGs to put in place a framework for resuming services’.
Coronavirus (COVID-19): verification of death in times of emergency
Clarifying existing practice for verifying deaths outside of hospitals and providing a framework for safe verification of death during the coronavirus emergency.
New reagent available to support global diagnostic testing of coronavirus (COVID-19)
A new biological reagent is now available to labs around the UK and the world that will help them to set up and develop accurate diagnostic tests for coronavirus (COVID-19).
IT:
UK condemns cyber actors seeking to benefit from global coronavirus pandemic
Foreign Secretary warns hostile cyber actors against using global pandemic for their own malicious ends
MANUFACTURING:
SME manufacturers see activity plunge sharply due to Covid-19
CBI – SME manufacturing output fell at its quickest pace in over a decade in the quarter to April, largely attributed to the coronavirus outbreak with 4 out 5 firms noting that the measures needed to contain the virus had a negative impact on their domestic output
MARKETING & COMMS:
ITV revenue drops £50m despite 75% increase in online viewership
The company said that the decrease was largely due to the phasing of deliveries and restrictions on working practices during the pandemic, as well as a “significant impact” on the demand for advertising.
PROPERTY:
How is the Build to Rent market adapting to lockdown and social distancing?
“There is evidence to suggest that Build to Rent is currently one of the strongest and most reliable asset classes, and always has been – which could help it to bounce back quicker than most parts of the market as institutional investors see it as a safe haven.”
RETAIL:
Next rolled out warehouse safety measures to re-open online business
Next is now selling around 70% of its range online. From 26 March NEXT closed its Online business along with its Warehousing and Distribution Operations, having listened to colleagues concerned about virus transmission. NEXT consulted with colleagues and recognised union, USDAW and started with colleagues who were willing and able to safely return to work. The decision to temporarily close enabled NEXT to re-organise the way its warehouses work, to enable rigorous social distancing and adapt to new logistical operations
Useful Links:
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 – 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:
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:
UK Lockdown – Further businesses to close and exceptions:
Business Growth Hub:
www.businessgrowthhub.com/coronavirus
Food & Drink – advice and guidance:
Health – updates from NHS
https://www.england.nhs.uk/news/
Health– Shielding the most vulnerable
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:
Travel:
https://media.northernrailway.co.uk/news/coronavirus-travel-information
Recruitment: – DWP and Universal Credit
Retail: An update form British Retail Consortium
https://brc.org.uk/news/corporate-affairs/coronavirus-latest-retailer-activity/
Employment: – Stockport Jobs Match
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.
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
Stockport park unveils tribute to young community hero 
Last chance to get the winter Covid-19 booster 
Stockport hosts further pop-up Covid-19 vaccination clinics ahead of Christmas