Monday 17th January – Coronavirus News Updates

Stockport Business Rates Related Schemes:

Omicron Hospitality and Leisure grant:

• The Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant is a one-off grant to support businesses that offer in-person services in a fixed rate-paying premises.
• Businesses that were trading on 30 December 2021 may be eligible to apply for the grant.
• Businesses that offer more than one service may only be eligible if 50% or more of their overall income comes from hospitality, leisure or accommodation.

How much will businesses receive?

Businesses that have a rateable value:

• of £15,000 or less on 30 December 2021 will receive a payment of £2,667
• between £15,001 and £50,999 on 30 December 2021 will receive a payment of £4,000
• of £51,000 or more on 30 December 2021 will receive a payment of £6,000

What are the Tax implications?

• Grant income received by a business is taxable. The Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant will need to be included as income in the tax return of the business.
• Only businesses that make an overall profit once the grant income is included will be subject to tax.
• Payments made to businesses before 5 April 2022 will fall into the 2021/22 tax year. Unincorporated businesses will be taxed when they receive the grant income.

Business Grant Subsidy Allowance:

• Businesses will be subject to the financial limits set out in the Business Grant Subsidy Allowance.
• Businesses will be entitled to receive a grant for each eligible premises.

Applications are now open. Visit Stockport Council website for full information and application – Omicron Hospitality and Leisure grant – Stockport Council

NOTE: The closing date for applications is at midnight on 18 February 2022. We will not accept any applications after this date.

COVID-19 Additional Relief Fund (CARF):

The fund will be available to support those businesses affected by the pandemic but that are ineligible for existing support linked to business rates.

The Stockport scheme is currently being developed.
Further details will be on the Council website when available – check this link regularly for updates – Financial support for businesses and employers – Stockport Council

Additional Restrictions Grant:

ARG is a Discretionary Grant Scheme that has been operating over a series of funding allocations from Government. 

Round 2 Top Up:

The latest scheme with round 2 top up funding opened in November 2021. Information and application is on Stockport Council web page at this link – https://www.stockport.gov.uk/additional-restrictions-grant

Round 3 Top Up:

Round 3 top up funding allocation has now been received and must be used by 31/03/22. Most businesses are eligible to apply if still experiencing negative impact from Covid pandemic.

Applying for an ARG:

• Businesses can apply for a grant from both top up 2 and 3 allocations but separate need to be submitted from businesses for each round of funding (Government requirement).
• If businesses have applied for ARG before 21/12/21, then they can submit a further application now.
• If businesses applied after 21/12/21 then no need to do anything further – if not applied at all yet then apply ASAP.
• Applications will be processed on first come first served basis until funds are exhausted so applying does not guarantee success in getting a grant if funds have been exhausted at that time

UK NEWS UPDATES:   

GDP exceeds pre-pandemic level
UK GDP figures showed a better than expected improvement in November, prior to the Omicron variant hitting the economy. The latest figures showed growth of 0.9%, which was better than the 0.4% expected. It means GDP exceeded its pre-pandemic level for the first time. But there are fears that the December figures could prove a dampener, due to a rise in pre-Christmas spending in November, and the impact of the new coronavirus variant on businesses.

Self-isolation for those with COVID-19 can end after five full days following two negative LFD tests
From today, 17 January, people with COVID-19 in England can end their self-isolation after five full days, as long as they test negative on day 5 and day 6. The first test must be taken no earlier than day 5 of the self-isolation period, and the second must be taken the following day. If an individual is positive on day 5, then a negative test is required on day 6 and day 7 to release from isolation. It is essential that 2 negative rapid lateral flow tests are taken on consecutive days and reported before individuals return to their job or education, if leaving self-isolation earlier than the full 10-day period. For instance, if an individual is positive on day 5, then a negative test is required on both day 6 and day 7 to release from self-isolation, or positive on day 6, then a negative test is required on days 7 and 8, and so on until the end of day 10.

Booster jab bookings open for ages 16 to 17 in England
The first 16 and 17-year-olds will be able to book their booster jabs or attend a walk-in vaccination centre from today. Invitations will initially be sent to the 40,000 teens who had a second vaccine dose at least three months ago.

Eventually more than 600,000 people aged 16 and 17 who have had two doses will be eligible for the booster. More than seven in 10 people in this age group in England have had at least one dose – 889,700 in total. Vaccinations have been offered to this age group since August, but previously the booster jab was only recommended by the experts on the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) for 16 and 17-year-olds who were deemed clinically vulnerable. 

REGIONAL & LOCAL NEWS:    

Investor BGF predicts regional investment activity to continue in 2022
A boss at growth capital investor BGF expects strong investment activity across the region to continue into 2022 after a successful 2021. Neil Inskip, head of BGF in the North-West, said there is a “good pipeline with new investments and exits already well progressed”. Inskip’s comments come after the business invested £70m in the North-West in 2021, backing some of the most exciting entrepreneurial businesses in the region. Now they are pledging to invest more in 2022. 
“We expect strong investment activity across the region to continue into 2022 and have a good pipeline with new investments and exits already well progressed.”

Jobs saved by North-West based sign manufacturer
The business and assets of Kesslers International, the UK’s oldest point-of-purchase designer and manufacturer that went into administration last December, have been sold as a going concern to GB Sign Solutions.
GB Sign Solutions, which is part of the PFI Group, is a high-specification manufacturer for the signage industry. Kesslers customers included a number of UK and international retailers such as Primark, Adidas, Dior, Poundland and Sainsbury’s.

MEN: Covid rates continue to fall across all areas of Greater Manchester
The lowest infection rate is in Stockport, where the rate is 1104.4 cases per 100,000 people, down by 54 per cent week-on-week. But the rates remain higher than the national average, figures have revealed. Stockport recorded 3249 positive Covid-19 tests in the week ending January 12, which is 3739 fewer than the previous 7 days. Bolton now has the highest coronavirus infection rate in the region, replacing Rochdale, with 1,355.4 cases per 100,000 people in the week ending January 12.

School vaccinations have restarted in Stockport.
If you’re the parent of a 12 to 15-year-olds make sure you have signed your child’s COVID-19 vaccination consent form. Twelve weeks must have passed since the first dose was given. Help protect your child and those around them from COVID-19 by encouraging them to have it. If parents want advice and support about the programme, simply contact the School Nursing Service on 0161 474 5912.
If children have any questions at all they can talk confidentially to a school nurse on the text-based service, ChatHealth, 07480 635 227.

Manchester Airports Group to host return of CAPA Airline Leader summit
The event, to be held at the Carden Park Hotel Golf Resort & Spa near Chester, will be one of the first of CAPA’s regional events held as the aviation sector returns to in-person events. The summit will also be streamed online to a virtual audience of over 8,700 subscribers. Headline speakers have already confirmed for the summit include:

• Emirates President Sir Tim Clark
• KLM President & CEO Pieter Elbers
• SAS President & CEO Anko van der Werff
• Ethiopian CEO Tewolde GebreMariam
• easyJet COO Peter Bellew.

New intake of international nursing staff eases pressure at Stepping Hill Hospital
25 new nurses from overseas joined colleagues delivering care at Stepping Hill Hospital at the end of 2021. The nurses are helping to deliver patient care during the current challenge caused by high vacancy numbers, increasing COVID-19 patient numbers, and the other pressures which the NHS faces during winter. They are helping provide high quality care for patients during an increasingly busy period.

SECTOR SPECIFIC CORONAVIRUS-RELATED NEWS:   

BUSINESS:  

EY: New realities, new strategies: leading CEOs look beyond short-term pressures to invest in long-term value creation in 2022
Many companies are now laser-focused on transformation – embracing the changes initiated or accelerated by the pandemic. Given the huge scale of investments in 2021 M&A and organic measures, it’s clear that many companies are reshaping themselves to capture the upside of the economic rebound. Within this competitive context, CEOs not yet designing and delivering ambitious investment strategies for growth risk falling behind in the race to transform for a better future.

Working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19)
Find out how to reduce the risk of COVID-19 spreading in your workplace.   

Coronavirus (COVID-19): advice for pregnant employees
Advice for pregnant employees on risk assessments in the workplace and occupational health during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic – updated to provide additional guidance to pregnant employees and employers of women who are 26 weeks pregnant and beyond, and details on JCVI advice that pregnant women are more at risk of severe COVID-19 disease.  

OPSS coronavirus (COVID-19) guidance for business and local authorities
Guidance on PPE, face coverings, face visors, and hand cleaning and sanitising products, for the protection of consumers during the COVID-19 pandemic – version 6 of the guidance for manufacturers and makers of face coverings and version 3 of the guidance for manufacturers and makers of face visors on complying with the General Product Safety Regulations 2005 published, amended to give additional examples of potential choking hazards.

CARE:    

COVID-19: management of staff and exposed patients and residents in health and social care settings
Guidance on the management of staff, patients and residents who have been exposed to COVID-19 – updated to reflect change in isolation period in hospitals from 14 to 10 days for cases and contacts of cases of COVID-19 and includes new changes to self-isolation periods for staff in health and care settings.

COMMUNITY:     

COVID-19: guidance for households with possible coronavirus infection
Stay at home guidance for households with possible coronavirus (COVID-19) infection – updated to reflect changes to the self-isolation advice for people who have received a positive COVID-19 test result.  

Coronavirus: how to stay safe and help prevent the spread
Updated guidance to explain that from Monday 17 January, people with COVID-19 in England can end their self-isolation after 5 full days, as long as they test negative on day 5 and day 6.  Finding and choosing a private coronavirus (COVID-19) test provider
Lists of and information about private test providers, to help you get the private COVID-19 tests you need – updated the general list of providers.  

Enabling safe and effective volunteering during coronavirus (COVID-19)
Information box updated to reference the change to self-isolation rules. From Monday 17 January, people with COVID-19 can end their self-isolation after 5 full days if they test negative for COVID-19 on two consecutive days. The first test cannot be taken before day 5.  

NHS Test and Trace: what to do if you are contacted
Updated to reflect changes to the self-isolation advice for people who have received a positive COVID-19 test result and information for contacts who are not required to self-isolate.

CONSTRUCTION:

In March 2021, changes were introduced in the way VAT is accounted for in the construction industry.
Join this live webinar to get up to date with the changes and find out if they affect you. You can ask questions using the on-screen text box.
How to apply the VAT reverse charge for construction services: you’ll learn:
– when to apply the VAT reverse charge
– how to show the reverse charge on your invoices
– what to do if you make a mistake
Register here
The following short videos on HMRC’s YouTube channel can help you with record keeping: Keeping VAT records digitally and VAT record keeping

HEALTHCARE & WELLBEING:     

COVID-19 antibody test survey
Survey for the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) Coronavirus (COVID-19) Antibody Testing Service.

COVID-19 vaccination: resources for children aged 5 to 11 years
Information for parents of eligible at risk children aged 5 to 11 years on COVID-19 vaccination – updated the guide for parents of children aged 5 to 11 years of age at high risk.

COVID-19: estimated administrative vaccine uptake for people aged 18 and over
Daily percentage of the UK population aged 18 and over who have received a first dose, second dose, or third or booster dose to date – added data for 14 January 2022.

COVID-19: infection prevention and control (IPC)
Guidance on infection prevention and control for seasonal respiratory infections including SARS-CoV-2 – updated to reflect change in isolation period in hospitals from 14 to 10 days for cases and contacts of cases of COVID-19. Changed wording around RPE to clarify.

COVID-19: stepdown of infection control precautions and discharging patients to home settings
Advice on appropriate infection prevention and control precautions for stepdown in hospital or discharge to home or residential settings for COVID-19 patients.

HOSPITALITY:

Working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19)
Hotels and guest accommodation – Information box added to reference a change to self-isolation rules. From Monday 17 January, people with COVID-19 can end their self-isolation after 5 full days if they test negative for COVID-19 on two consecutive days. The first test cannot be taken before day 5. This guidance will be updated shortly to include this change.

JUDICIARY / LEGAL:  

Coronavirus (COVID-19): Office of the Public Guardian response
This page provides guidance on how OPG is responding to the coronavirus pandemic.  

Being a deputy or attorney during the coronavirus outbreak
Find out how you can continue to act in the best interests of the client or donor, during the pandemic.  

Making and registering an LPA during the coronavirus outbreak
If you want to make an LPA now, you can as long as you follow government guidance on social distancing and self-isolating.

PROPERTY:

2022 starts on a high amid more buyers and more competition
Rightmove’s first housing market report of 2022 starts when last year’s ended – on a high. The average price of property coming to market jumps by 0.3 per cent this month to £341,019, which is 7.6 per cent higher than a year ago and is the highest annual rate of price growth recorded by Rightmove since May 2016.
First-time buyer asking prices reached a new record of £214,176 after a monthly jump of 1.4 per cent. Strong demand and continuing low numbers of available homes for sale set up the housing market frenzy to continue into the start of 2022, with early-bird sellers benefitting from increased buyer competition.

SPORT:

Guidance on coronavirus (COVID-19) measures for grassroots sport participants, providers and facility operators
Information box updated to reference the change to self-isolation rules. From Monday 17 January, people with COVID-19 can end their self-isolation after 5 full days if they test negative for COVID-19 on two consecutive days. The first test cannot be taken before day 5.

TRANSPORT:

International road haulage: HGV driver documents
Updated the ‘Drivers’ hours documents and tachographs’ section as drivers who have been sick or taken time off in the 28 days before their journey no longer need to carry an attestation form.They must now record annual leave or sick leave using a tachograph’s manual inputs or by making a manual record of it on an analogue record sheet or on digital printout paper.

TRAVEL:    

How to quarantine at home after international travel
What to do when you need to quarantine at home or in the place you’re staying after you arrive in England from abroad – updated: fully vaccinated people who test positive in their day 2 test can stop self-isolating on day 6 if they have negative rapid lateral flow test results on days 5 and 6.

Coming to England for seasonal agricultural work or pork processing
Advice for seasonal agricultural workers and pork butchers coming to England to work on farms or processing sites or at slaughterhouses, and their employers – updated guidance for confirmatory PCR tests and travel test changes. Removed references to seasonal poultry workers because the scheme ended for those workers on 31 December.

GOV & BBC UK daily coronavirus data:  

There have been more than 15 million confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK and more than 150,000 people have died, government figures show. Over 52 million people have now received a first dose of the vaccine, 91% of people in the UK aged 12 and over. 83% have had their second and 63% have had a booster.

Total UK Cases: 15,217,280 positive tests
Latest UK daily figure: 70,924 new cases
Number in UK hospital: 19,539 (190 fewer than on previous day)
New deaths across UK: 88
Total UK deaths: 151,987
England Cases per 100,000: 1,357
R number in UK: 1.1 – 1.5

Vaccine data:

Total 1^st doses given: 52,097,840 – 91% of UK aged 12+
Total 2^nd doses: 83%
Daily 1^st doses: 25,880
Daily 2nd doses: 39,709
Daily Booster doses: 92,623

The R value and growth rate
The latest reproduction number (R) and growth rate of coronavirus (COVID-19).
The R range for England is 1.1 to 1.5 the growth rate range for England is +1% to +5% per day as of 14 January 2022.

Latest Stockport coronavirus data:

Total Stockport cases: 76,319 to 13 January
Cases in the latest week: 4,683 (2,636 less compared with previous week)
Total deaths: 813 to December 31st (+2 on previous week)
Cases per 100,000: 1,592 per 100,000 (4 to 10 Jan)

Stockport vaccine data:

1^st dose: 85% of over 12s to 12 January
2^nd dose: 79%
3^rd / booster dose: 63%

Covid-19 Webinars:

ACAS – run a series of courses to help businesses with transition from lockdown

Brexit Webinars:

Exporting: Actions you need to take now: An overview of the actions you need to take now before you export goods from Great Britain to the EU and move goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Key processes include – staged border controls, zero-rated VAT, customs declaration, using an intermediary as well as licences, certificates, and authorisations. Please register to take part if you’re planning to export.

Trader responsibilities when using an intermediary: You now need to complete import or export declarations to trade goods with the EU. These are complex and a lot of businesses choose to use an intermediary to do these for them. This webinar explains your responsibilities as a trader if you choose to use an intermediary. Please register to take part if you’re planning to import or export.

What are customs import declarations?: If you import goods, you now need to make customs import declarations on controlled goods and all goods by the end of June. This webinar will help you understand what they are in more detail. This includes what is needed for simplified declarations, supplementary declarations, how to make them, and delayed import declarations. Please register to take part if you’re planning to import.

Importing: Staged controls and how to prepare to use them: This webinar will walk you through the three stages of the new border controls introduced on 1?? ?January?? ?2021, and what actions you need to take for each stage. Please register to take part if you’re planning to import.

LATEST LINKS:

Home workers can claim £26 tax relief for job expenses
If you’ve asked your employees to work from home, and you’ve not reimbursed them already, your employees may be entitled to claim tax relief on additional household expenses they’ve incurred, such as heating and lighting.

New hotline launched to report COVID fraudsters
A new hotline has been launched to stop fraudsters illegally targeting COVID stimulus schemes.

If you would like to register your interest in creating one or more Kickstart Job, please complete the Kickstart Employer Enquiry Form and a member of the Council’s Kickstart Team will contact you to explain more.

Kickstart Scheme
The Kickstart Scheme provides funding to employers to create job placements for 16 to 24 year olds.

Kickstart Scheme terms and conditions
Kickstart Scheme terms and conditions for employers and gateways receiving the Kickstart Scheme grant from the Department for Work and Pensions.

Kickstart Scheme employer resources
If you’ve been offered Kickstart Scheme funding, you can use these resources to show your support for the scheme.

Kickstart Scheme employer contacts
List of regional contacts for employers applying for a grant through the Kickstart Scheme.

Apply for a Kickstart Scheme grant: 30 or more job placements
If you are an employer looking to create 30 or more jobs placements for young people, apply for funding as part of the Kickstart Scheme.

Apply for a Kickstart Scheme grant: 29 or less job placements
If you are an employer looking to create 29 or less jobs placements for young people, apply for funding as part of the Kickstart Scheme.

Visit the Stockport Council website to report details of any outbreaks online.  
https://www.stockport.gov.uk/coronavirus-in-stockport/report-a-coronavirus-outbreak

Opening times for Stockport Council Coronavirus Helpline
The helpline for vulnerable people across Stockport can now be accessed through new opening times by calling 0161 217 6046:
• Monday – Thursday from 9am to 5pm
• Friday from 9am to 4.30pm
• Saturdays from 10am to 1pm
At busy times, residents are automatically offered a call-back from one of our call handlers.

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.

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

Stockport Council’s FREE job matching website helps 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

Stockport Council – Health & Mental Well-being https://www.stockport.gov.uk/showcase/coronavirus 

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.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

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

Business Growth Hub:
www.businessgrowthhub.com/coronavirus  https://www.businessgrowthhub.com/coronavirus/resources/2020/03/coronavirus-business-support-webinar-series

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. 

Health updates:

Health – updates from NHS
https://www.england.nhs.uk/news/

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. 

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.