Monday 24th January – Coronavirus News Updates

UK NEWS UPDATES:

NHS in push to vaccinate final four million
More than four million adults in the UK have not yet had a first Covid jab and 16 million have not had their booster. This winter, NHS vaccine teams have been out on the streets trying to win over those hard-to-reach groups who might have struggled to access health services in the past. Carole Phillips, an NHS clinical director in Portsmouth, is best described as a straight talker. A former army medic who served in Afghanistan, she is now running outreach programmes in the city – trying to get the Covid vaccine to the most vulnerable.

Booster jab gives 90% Covid protection, study says
Booster doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines offer improved protection against hospitalisations due to Covid-19 variants, new studies show.

Data released on Friday by the US Centres for Disease Control found that a third dose of either vaccine is more than 90% effective against both the Delta and Omicron variants. The effectiveness of only two doses was found to wane to 57% after six months. US officials have pleaded with the public to get boosted when eligible. According to the CDC study, vaccine effectiveness against hospitalisation after two doses was 90% until six months after the second dose but fell to 81% afterwards. Two weeks after the third dose, however, effectiveness against hospitalisation rose to 94%.

Company boss: young workers will benefit from a return to the office
Returning to work in offices will help younger staff with their careers, the boss of a pub firm has said. Clive Watson, chief executive of City Pub Group, said junior workers needed mentors which they could not get access to while working from home. Many people are set to return to the office this week after work-from-home guidance was ditched in England. Mr Watson said having staff working in offices would help build the “culture” of businesses. “Every junior staff needs a mentor, every junior staff needs to go to someone in the office to help them with their roles and they can’t really do that from home,” Mr Watson, whose firm owns 45 pubs, told the BBC’s Today programme. “You can bring in a flexibility to the office work-life. But I think it’s very important for office workers’ mental wellbeing to be back in the office and be working alongside their colleagues.”

Government supports aviation industry as demand for air travel rises
The move gives the aviation sector flexibility and protects environment as airlines will not have to operate ghost flights to retain airport slots. The government has laid regulations before Parliament extending the airport slots rules alleviation for the upcoming summer season, supporting the international aviation industry. Airport slots are used to manage capacity at the busiest airports. A slot gives permission to use the full range of airport infrastructure (runway, terminal and gates, for instance) necessary to operate an air service at an airport on a specific date and time. Airlines will need to use their slots 70 per cent of the time in order to keep them but will also benefit from added flexibility over when they are justified not to use them, for example, where a market is substantively closed. Following a period of consultation with the sector, the extension of alleviation from slots rules will further support its recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic as air travel returns to normal levels.

From Thursday 27 January:

Venues and events will no longer be required by law to use the NHS Covid Pass. The NHS Covid Pass can still be used on a voluntary basis as was previously the case in Plan A.
Face coverings are no longer required by law in any setting. Public health guidance will remain in place, suggesting individuals should continue to wear a face covering in crowded and enclosed spaces, where you may come into contact with people you do not normally meet.
The Department for Education will remove national guidance on the use of face coverings in communal areas, with local Directors of Public Health able to recommend the use of face coverings in education settings across their area only where the department and public health experts judge the measure to be proportionate due to specific health concerns. This is a temporary measure and Directors of Public Health continue to advise individual settings experiencing outbreaks.
Any local introduction of face coverings must be subject to routine review and removed at the earliest opportunity.

REGIONAL & LOCAL NEWS:

Impact of pandemic has ravaged North-West city centres
According to a new report published today (January 24), COVID-19 has cost some city and large town centres in the region more than half a year’s worth of potential takings since March 2020. The claim is in Cities Outlook 2022 – independent urban policy research think-tank Centre for Cities’ annual economic assessment of the UK’s largest urban areas. Central Manchester is worst affected, losing 41 weeks of sales between the first lockdown and Omicron’s onset. Its loss is the sixth biggest in the country. The share of vacant commercial units in Manchester city centre has also increased during the pandemic and now stands at 14.6%. This means that more one in 10 stores in the city centre are now sitting empty.

Stockport has lowest Covid infection rates across city-region
Nine boroughs in Greater Manchester now have coronavirus infection rates lower than the national average, new figures have revealed. Just one borough – Tameside – has the highest rate in the region and cases above the average across the nation. However, coronavirus infection rates are still continuing to fall across all ten of the boroughs. Stockport, which has the lowest infection rate in the region, recorded 2305 positive Covid-19 tests in the week ending January 19, which is 954 fewer than the previous 7 days. The coronavirus infection rate in Stockport is now 783.5 cases per 100,000 people and is down by 29 per cent week-on-week.

Government to introduce Bill for HS2 extending line between Manchester and Crewe
The Government will today introduce the Bill for the next phase of HS2, which will see the high-speed rail network extended from Crewe to Manchester. Once approved it will allow HS2 to create a new “transport spine” across the North-West and will cut travel from London to Manchester by around 55 minutes and Birmingham to Manchester by up to 45 minutes. HS2’s trains will also join the West Coast Main Line and serve towns and cities on route to Scotland allowing more people direct access to new high speed rail services. It is also set to bring 17,500 direct jobs to Northern communities supporting the construction of the Crewe-Manchester leg and thousands of further jobs in the supply chain are expected to follow. Andy Burnham, said in his view the current plan was “wrong” for both Greater Manchester and the North as a whole … he went on to say he believes there is a better plan which would do much more to level up the North of England with the South.

MEN: Stockport home to both most and least deprived areas in Greater Manchester Stockport is home to both the most and least deprived areas in Greater Manchester and the gap between the haves and have nots appears to be getting wider. According to a new council report, Brinnington and Central ward has the highest levels of poverty while Bramhall South and Woodford – just five miles away – is the most affluent. Entitled ‘Fair and Inclusive Stockport’, it finds that – while the borough overall is close to the national average for factors such as employment, income and health – there are ‘pockets of very concentrated deprivation’.

Apprenticeship and career advice on offer for businesses, jobseekers and experienced professionals at Digital Skills Festival 2022
The city-region’s annual Digital Skills Festival, organised by Manchester Digital, returns in 2022 in February, giving businesses the opportunity to connect with students and jobseekers interested in a career in the digital sector.

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

Current status on payments:

Total discretionary grant funding of £2.35m total to be used by 31/03/2022 (includes latest £550k top up)

767 applications received by 18th January 2022
49% of applications fully processed
£1.1m grant funding released by 18th January 2022
Average grant payment of £3,271
399 further applications to process

SECTOR SPECIFIC CORONAVIRUS-RELATED NEWS:

BUSINESS:

EY: Businesses are transforming to manage talent shifts, legislative and regulatory uncertainty and evolving technology as cost pressures mount.

COVID-19 has accelerated the need for businesses to transform across the entire enterprise, including in the tax and finance functions. However, there are emerging concerns around talent, legislative and regulatory changes, as well as future-proofing technology.

The 2022 EY Tax and Finance Operations Survey finds 84% of respondents are actively transforming to tackle challenges.
Talent, legislative and regulatory changes, and future-proofing technology are key concerns for Tax and Finance functions.
The COVID-19 pandemic made some challenges worse, accelerating the need to transform.

Resources for raising awareness about financial requests for COVID-19 booster vaccines
Resources for raising awareness about fraudulent financial requests for COVID-19 booster vaccines and how to book or manage a booster dose.

The UK’s small businesses can now apply for the government’s Help to Grow: Digital scheme and access support in adopting digital technologies.
Under the scheme, businesses can receive discounts of up to £5,000 off the retail price of eligible Digital Accounting and CRM software. The technology will enable businesses to manage their finances and their relationships more effectively with customers to help the scale up in the future. The scheme also will provide businesses with free advice and guidance about what digital technologies are most appropriate for your business and has been designed with industry and independent experts. The scheme aims to tackle two of the biggest barriers to businesses accessing new digital technologies: funding, and knowledge and training gaps; and will help SMEs grow by accessing benefits of new digital technologies

Civil servants to lead the way in returning to offices
Cabinet Office Minister calls for Government departments to accelerate the return to office-based working to boost staff collaboration and help support local businesses

COMMUNITY:

Coronavirus (COVID-19): Wedding and civil partnership ceremonies, receptions and celebrations
Guidance for couples planning to get married or form a civil partnership in England, and venues hosting these events – workers are no longer asked to work from home if they can. Employers should talk to their workers to agree arrangements to return to the workplace.

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.

EDUCATION:

Reported COVID-19 notifications by registered early years and childcare settings
Data on the number of registered early years and childcare providers reporting one or more confirmed cases of COVID-19 – added data for weeks beginning 27 December and 3 January.

Coronavirus and third year higher education students: England, 29 November to 20 December 2021
Experimental statistics from the Student Experiences Insights Survey (SEIS) in England. Includes information on the behaviours, plans, opinions and well-being of higher education students in their third year or higher in the context of guidance on the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

CO2 monitor survey and applications for air cleaning units
Summary findings from the Department for Education’s survey of the use of CO2 monitors, and data on applications for air cleaning units.

Coronavirus (COVID-19): test kits for schools and FE providers
Guidance for schools and further education (FE) providers on the initial supply of coronavirus (COVID-19) home testing kits for pupils, teachers and staff – updated the test kits for schools and FE providers guidance to reflect the latest advice on confirmatory PCR tests and self-isolation periods for those who test positive for COVID-19.

HEALTH & WELLBEING:

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.

HOSPITALITY:

British Beer & Pub Association urge support for Long Live the Local campaign
Due to the pandemic pubs have had a devastating winter. December is a crucial period for pubs, often representing three times the trade of a normal month. This was decimated by Omicron. Pubs need help and support yet are one of our most overtaxed industries which puts them under more pressure. If Government don’t act now to help them more will close for good. The new petition is asking for; an extension in the current lower level of VAT for food and beverages sold in pubs with a view to making this permanent; an overall reduction in beer duty and alcohol duty reforms that support British pubs and beer as a lower strength product; lower business rates for pubs equitable to other similar businesses. Help local pubs survive and thrive, sign the petition now at www.longlivethelocal.pub. It only takes 10 seconds!

Working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19)
Hotels and guest accommodation – Workers are no longer asked to work from home if they can. The sections on going to the workplace, reducing contact for workers, and people who need to self-isolate have been updated to remove references to working from home.

LOCAL AUTHORITY:

Letter to local authorities about grant funding for businesses
Letter from the BEIS Secretary of State to local authority chief executives about the availability of the Additional Restrictions and Omicron grant.

PROPERTY:

Post-Christmas supply builds as uncertainy fades around Omicron
The lifting of Covid restrictions this week could see the supply of property rebuild and normal house price economics return, according to leading property consultancy Knight Frank. “What happens in the property market in the first two weeks of the year is often a useful barometer for the next six months,” Tom Bill, Head of UK Residential Research at Knight Frank. “We can gauge the appetite of buyers and sellers who have spent the Christmas holiday contemplating their next move.”
He said this year also comes with the caveat of Omicron, with initial jitters about its impact subsiding in recent weeks.

RETAIL:

Bensons for Beds to open 35 new stores after return to profit
Bensons for Beds is planning to open or relocate 35 stores in 2022 after it returned to the black during its latest financial period and reported “strong” Christmas trading figures. The north-west-headquartered retailer confirmed its turnover totalled £101.9m for the five months to September 30, 2021, while its operating profit reached £1.6m. Those figures compare to a turnover of £148.4m and an operating loss of £24.9m during the previous financial period, the ten months to April 30, 2021.

Working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19)
Find out how to reduce the risk of COVID-19 spreading in your workplace – shops, branches, and close contact services – Section 4.1 updated. Workers are no longer asked to work from home if they can. Employers should talk to their workers to agree arrangements to return to the workplace.

SCIENCE:

COVID-19 variants identified in the UK
Latest updates on SARS-CoV-2 variants detected in the UK.

SPORT:

Guidance on coronavirus (COVID-19) measures for elite sport
This guidance was updated on 21 January to reflect changes to the rules on testing and quarantine when travelling to England. There have been changes to the sections on international travel, elite sport exemptions, international sportspersons travelling to the UK, and domestic sportspersons travelling to the UK.

TRAVEL:

Using your NHS COVID Pass for travel abroad and at venues and settings in England
How to use the NHS COVID Pass to demonstrate your coronavirus (COVID-19) status when travelling abroad and domestically at venues and settings in England.

GOV & BBC UK daily coronavirus data:

There have been nearly 16 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. 84% have had their second and 64% have had a booster.

Total UK Cases: 15,859,288 positive tests
Latest UK daily figure: 74,799 new cases
Number in UK hospital: 17,976 (541 fewer than on previous day)
New deaths across UK: 75
Total UK deaths: 153,862
England Cases per 100,000: 935
R number in UK: 0.8-1.1

Vaccine data:

Total 1^st doses given: 52,223,105 – 91% of UK aged 12+
Total 2^nd doses: 84%
Daily 1^st doses: 19,430
Daily 2nd doses: 42,473
Daily Booster doses: 68,795

The R value and growth rate
The latest reproduction number (R) and growth rate of coronavirus (COVID-19).
The R range for England is 0.8 to 1.1 the growth rate range for England is -6% to +1% per day as of 21 January 2022.

Latest Stockport coronavirus data:

Total Stockport cases: 78,661 to 21 January
Cases in the latest week: 2,333 (2,357 less compared with previous week)
Total deaths: 814 to January 7th (+1 on previous week)
Cases per 100,000: 783.5 per 100,000 (11 to 21 Jan)

Stockport vaccine data:

1^st dose: 86% of over 12s to 20 January
2^nd dose: 80%
3^rd / booster dose: 64%

Covid-19 Webinars:

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.

Monday 24th January – Coronavirus News Updates