Additional Restrictions Grant Discretionary grant scheme – Applications are now closed: Funds for the Additional Restrictions Grant Discretionary grant scheme have been allocated and applications for the scheme are now closed
UK NEWS UPDATES:
Northern Ireland supports removing restrictions
There is support from politicians to relax the remaining coronavirus restrictions in Northern Ireland, which include using Covid passports and wearing face coverings in certain settings. Health Minister Robin Swann wrote to other executive ministers for their views, but any change would need wider approval. Current restrictions are in place until 24 March.
Wales may trial a four-day working week
Many jobs have change because of the pandemic, and this coupled with a drive to reducing carbon emissions, should we changing how we work be reviewed? The Future Generations Commission says a four-day working week should be trialled in Wales as it can make staff healthier and happier, and businesses more productive. The Welsh government says it’s considering the progress of pilot schemes in other countries.
France confirms relaxation of testing rules
France has relaxed its Covid rules, allowing fully-vaccinated UK and Ireland travellers to enter without testing. The UK FCDO said fully vaccinated travellers aged 12 and over must continue to provide proof of vaccination and a sworn statement (déclaration sur l’honneur) self-certifying that travellers are not suffering from Covid symptoms and have not been in contact with confirmed cases in the 14 days prior to travel.
REGIONAL & LOCAL NEWS:
NatWest Regional PMI shows regional growth slows in 2022
Covid staff absences, rising prices and material shortages resulted in the North West private sector recording its slowest growth in business activity for almost a year in January, according to new data. The latest Regional PMI data from NatWest shows the headline North West Business Activity Index registered 50.8 in January, down from 53.1 in December. The latest reading was only just above the 50.0 mark that separates growth from contraction and the lowest since February 2021. It was also below a UK average of 54.2. Underlying data pointed to modest increases in demand across the region’s manufacturing and service sectors.
Cheshire housebuilder to appoint administrators
Cheshire housebuilder Mulbury Homes has started the process of appointing administrators, it has confirmed. The group, which is based in Lymm, and has a Manchester office, is said to be the victim of a ‘perfect storm’ of supply chain problems and the impact of the COVID pandemic. A Mulbury Homes spokesperson said: “The company has filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators.
67-years established North West retailer to appoint administrators
A notice of intention to appoint administrators is to be filed for listed online digital retailer business Studio Retail Group. Studio Retail Group reported in January that it has a surplus stockholding which requires additional working capital funding while it is sold through to customers. The company requested a short-term loan of £25m from its lending banks to fund the surplus stockholding, which it believed was “sufficient” to enable it to sell through the stock to customers. Following discussions with its UK lenders, the business has not been able to reach agreement with them to provide the additional funding Studio Retail Group requires.
Stockport Business Centre launches hunt for low carbon entrepreneurs
Stockport Business and Innovation Centre (SBIC) are launching their next Pioneer 10 competition and are searching for innovative and ambitious businesses who can be true pioneers in the low carbon sector. Focusing this year on reducing carbon footprints, the team at SBIC is looking for applications from businesses or entrepreneurs that propose solutions, either for themselves, their businesses or their customers. The free-to-enter Pioneer 10 competition is SBIC’s business acceleration programme that stimulates innovation and fosters talent in the borough.
Launch evening announced ahead of Stockport Business Awards 2022
Main sponsors and organisers, Clarke Nicklin Chartered Accountants, will host the launch of the 11th Stockport Business Awards on the evening of Thursday 24th March at their offices on Cheadle Royal Business Park from 6pm-8pm. The free event will allow attendees to view highlights from the 10-year anniversary last year, find out more about this year’s event, and an opportunity to network with past winners and Stockport’s thriving business community.
Coronavirus rates down 40% across Greater Manchester
Coronavirus infection rates across the region have fallen by almost 40 per cent, figures have revealed. And they have dropped across all ten boroughs of Greater Manchester. Stockport continues to have the highest coronavirus infection rate in Greater Manchester, with a rate of 488.1 cases per 100,000 people in the week ending February 9. The lowest infection rate is in Oldham, where the rate is 324.5 cases per 100,000 people.
SECTOR SPECIFIC CORONAVIRUS-RELATED NEWS:
BUSINESS:
The Saturday Economist: Markets Excite About Base Rate Hikes …
The First Quarterly Estimate of GDP growth in 2021 was released this week. GDP growth increased by 7.5% compared to prior year. The number was exactly in line with our central forecast. It could well edge higher in subsequent releases.
Construction growth was up by 12.7% in the year, following a 16% setback in 2021. Service sector growth underpinned the recovery, up by 7.4%. Manufacturing increased by 7% following a 9% downturn in 2020. Output stalled into the second half of the year, as component shortages and supply side difficulties increased. Levels flat lined in the final quarter. There is a problem within the data set. The estimate for manufacturing output will be revised up to 8% or more in later releases, pushing overall GDP growth towards our higher 8% level.
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 – an update to reflect that employers must now undertake a workplace risk assessment for their pregnant employees.
Bespoke testing for jobs with travel exemptions
Find out about bespoke testing legally required for certain types of work.
COVID-19 workforce testing: privacy notice
This privacy notice provides you with information about how your personal data will be collected and used in connection with coronavirus (COVID-19) workforce testing.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Infection Survey: Estimates of the UK workforce in self-isolation by sector between 5 December 2021 and 29 January 2022
Estimates of the proportion of the UK workforce self-isolating due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) by work sector.
CARE:
Designated settings for people discharged to a care home
Guidance on the designated settings scheme for people discharged from hospital to a care home with a positive coronavirus (COVID-19) test.
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.
COMMUNITY:
Homeworking and spending during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, UK: April 2020 to January 2022
Examines the effect of homeworking on individual finances, spending, and the key items driving changes.
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.
COVID-19: arranging or attending a funeral or commemorative event
Guidance for arranging or attending a funeral or commemorative event during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) antibody test kit: guides in different languages
Step-by-step guide available in different languages on how to take your coronavirus (COVID-19) antibody test.
CONSTRUCTION:
Construction crisis – building output decline persists in 2022
A construction output report has revealed that the value of underlying work commencing on-site has fallen 15% in the three months to January 2022 against the previous three months (August-October 2021). Construction intelligent experts Glenigan released the February 2022 edition of its Construction Index. The report focuses on January 2022, covering all projects with a total value of £100 million or less (unless otherwise indicated), with all figures seasonally adjusted.
House builders put brakes on wage rises as labour shortages ease
Sharp risies in site labour rates are showing signs of easing as house builders report softening demand for skilled trades at the start of 2022. In a traditionally slow period for house building, average earnings for self-employed trades fell by 10% month on month. The fall meant year on year, average labour rates on building sites increased by 3.2% to £863 per week during January, lower than consumer price inflation.
Analysis by construction payroll specialist Hudson Contract showed the East Midlands, London, and the southeast retained strong year on year pay growth, but the north and west midlands saw an easing in pay.
HEALTH & WELLBEING:
Minimum standards for private sector providers of COVID-19 testing
Sets out the minimum standards that providers must meet to be listed as a private sector coronavirus (COVID-19) testing provider.
Weekly Statistics for NHS Test and Trace (England): 20 to 26 January 2022
Experimental statistics on NHS Test and Trace since its launch on 28 May 2020. Includes reports on NHS Test and Trace (people tested and contact tracing) and rapid (lateral flow device) testing for people without symptoms.
COVID-19 vaccination programme
Documents relating to the new coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination programme.
COVID-19 vaccination: information for healthcare practitioners
Guidance for healthcare practitioners about the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination programme.
How to become a private provider of COVID-19 testing??
Guidance for prospective providers?on how to be listed as a testing provider for?general?population or day 2 testing – updated to reflect new rules for international arrivals in England from 11 February 2022.
COVID-19 vaccination: blood clotting information for healthcare professionals
Information for healthcare professionals on blood clotting following COVID-19 vaccination – updated to include information on the risk of relapse of thrombosis and thrombocytopenia symptoms and risk of new or relapse of immune thrombocytopenic purpura following COVID-19 vaccinations.
PROPERTY:
Huge rise in guarantors as Covid rattles lettings market
The number of prospective tenants asked to provide guarantors ahead of renting has risen by a huge 36 per cent over the past four years. Goodlord analysed a sample size of 730,000 tenants who took on a rental property between January 2018 and December 2021. This revealed that requests for guarantors for non-student tenants jumped by a third during that time. The biggest shift came in 2020, when pandemic-induced concerns and fears around the eviction ban spurred landlords into increasing their due diligence when it came to prospective tenants. However, rather than reduce as the economy recovered from the initial shock of the pandemic, requests for guarantors have continued to rise.
RETAIL:
Half of all non-food sales will be online by 2025
Online will account for half (49.7%) of all non-food sales in just three years, according to new research by Retail Economics for ecommerce delivery tech firm Metapack. An additional £19.6bn of online home deliveries is expected by 2025 as the working from home revolution accelerates the shift to ecommerce.
SCIENCE:
TRAVEL:
How to self-isolate if you test positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) after international travel
What you must do if you are not fully vaccinated and get a positive or unclear COVID-19test result when you arrive in England from abroad, or if you do not take a test – updated to reflect new rules for international arrivals from 11 February 2022.
GOV & BBC UK daily coronavirus data:
There have been 18 million confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK and almost 180,000 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. More than 48 million, 85% have had their second and more than 37 million, 66% have had a booster.
*Government case figures now include people in England and Northern Ireland who have tested positive for a second time – after at least a 90-day gap – rather than just first infections.
Total UK Cases: 18,220,515 positive tests
Latest UK daily figure: 58,899 new cases
Number in UK hospital: 12,753 (418 less than on previous day)
New deaths across UK: 193
Total UK deaths: 159,351
England Cases per 100,000: 764
R number in UK: 0.8-1.1
Vaccine data:
Total 1st doses given: 52,480,344 – 91% of UK aged 12+
Total 2nd doses: 84%
Daily 1st doses: 11,614
Daily 2nd doses: 26,290
Daily Booster doses: 34,203
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 1.0; the growth rate for England is -3% to +0% per day as of 11 February
Latest Stockport coronavirus data:
Total Stockport cases: 89,198 to 11 February
Cases in the latest week: 1,647 (844 less compared with previous week)
Total deaths: 838 to January 28th
Cases per 100,000: 560 per 100,000 (31 Jan to 6 Feb)
Stockport vaccine data:
1st dose: 86% of over 12s to 9 February
2nd dose: 81%
3rd / booster dose: 65%
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.
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.
Stockport park unveils tribute to young community hero 
Research finds Covid-19 has not fundamentally changed the UK labour market 
Government sets out ‘Living with COVID’ next steps from 1st April