ARG and Localities Grants – open for applications
Stockport Council are working out the details of new Covid related business grant schemes based on the government guidance that has just been released to them so will shortly publish the full details of eligibility, application processes and requirements, as well as grant payment levels on the following Council web page as soon as possible – Coronavirus (COVID-19) support for businesses and employees – Stockport Council
Discretionary Grant Scheme:
Following the government announcement on 21 December 2021 regarding financial support for the hospitality sector, Stockport Council is continuing to accept applications for the Additional Restrictions Grant. Applications received from 21st December 2021 will be subject to further review against the detailed guidance from government and may therefore not be successful.
Specific financial support for the hospitality and leisure sector
The government has announced further financial support for businesses in the hospitality and leisure sector. This includes a one-off grant of up to £6,000 per premises. SMBC will publish information about qualifying criteria and how businesses can claim the grant on their website HERE
Please check the Council’s Coronavirus (Covid-19) support for businesses and employers web pages regularly to see the latest information available about the grant support available and how to access it – Financial support for businesses and employers
UK NEWS UPDATES:
HMRC give self-assessment taxpayers more time to ease Covid pressures
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is waiving late filing and late payment penalties for Self Assessment taxpayers for one month – giving them extra time, if they need it, to complete their 2020/21 tax return and pay any tax due. HMRC is encouraging taxpayers to file and pay on time if they can, as the department reveals that, of the 12.2 million taxpayers who need to submit their tax return by 31 January 2022, almost 6.5 million have already done so. HMRC recognises the pressure faced this year by Self Assessment taxpayers and their agents. COVID-19 is affecting the capacity of some agents and taxpayers to meet their obligations in time for the 31 January deadline. The penalty waivers give taxpayers who need it more time to complete and file their return online and pay the tax due without worrying about receiving a penalty. The deadline to file and pay remains 31 January 2022. The penalty waivers will mean that:
- anyone who cannot file their return by the 31 January deadline will not receive a late filing penalty if they file online by 28 February, and
- anyone who cannot pay their Self Assessment tax by the 31 January deadline will not receive a late payment penalty if they pay their tax in full, or set up a Time to Pay arrangement, by 1 April.
Interest will be payable from 1 February, as usual, so it is still better to pay on time if possible.
IKEA cuts sick pay for unvaccinated staff
Furniture giant Ikea has slashed sick pay entitlement for some unvaccinated staff forced to self-isolate after close contact with someone infected with Covid.
The move means unvaccinated workers, who are required by the Government to isolate for 10 days after close contact, could receive as little as £96.35 a week under Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) obligations, a legal minimum. That compares with the average pay for Ikea shopfloor staff of £10.10 an hour outside London and £11.30 in the capital – the equivalent of £404 and £452 for an average working week.
Boosters continue to provide high levels of protection against severe disease from Omicron in older adults
Latest data from UKHSA shows booster doses are continuing to provide high levels of protection against severe disease from the Omicron variant among older adults.
Pregnant women urged not to delay getting jab
Pregnant women are already on the priority list for the Covid vaccine as they’re at increased risk from the virus. Now there’s a new drive for them to get jabbed or have a booster as soon as possible. It’s part of a government campaign which sees expectant mothers share their experiences to encourage others not to delay getting vaccinated. It comes after data from the UK Obstetric Surveillance System showed more than 96% of pregnant women admitted to hospital with symptoms between May and October last year were unvaccinated. So far about 84,000 pregnant women have received one dose of the vaccine and more than 80,000 have had the second dose.
Government issues new guidance for unvaccinated house movers
The government is clamping down – at least a little – on unvaccinated buyers and tenants in some specific circumstances. New guidelines issued by the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities say that…
…if a buyer or tenant is aged 18 years and six months or more;
…is not fully vaccinated; and
…if they live in the same household as someone who has tested positive for Covid
…then they must legally stay at home and self-isolate.
This would even be during the period when they would have been scheduled to have moved home. However, the guidance goes on to say that if a buyer or tenant is fully vaccinated, or aged less than 18 years and six months, they are not legally required to self-isolate even if they live in the same household as someone with Covid.
COVID Support Force: MOD’s continued contribution to the coronavirus response
The Armed Forces continue to support efforts to vaccinate people across the UK. There are currently over 1,000 personnel available to support the vaccine efforts in England, Scotland and Wales. Over 740 personnel are supporting NHS England with the Covid-19 booster vaccine programme, including 120 planners and over 620 vaccinators available to administer vaccines across the country.
Covid: common cold may offer some protection
Natural defences against a common cold could offer some protection against Covid-19, too, research suggests. The small-scale study, published in Nature Communications, involved 52 individuals who lived with someone who had just caught Covid-19. Those who had developed a “memory bank” of specific immune cells after a cold – to help prevent future attacks – appeared less likely to get Covid.
Experts say no-one should rely on this defence alone, and vaccines remain key.
But they believe their findings could provide useful insight into how a body’s defence system fights the virus.
REGIONAL & LOCAL NEWS:
Hallidays share latest Covid-19 support in January newsletter
Stockport accountants, Hallidays, summarise the latest changes to Covid-19 support and share their run down of other key financial news you might have missed in their first bulletin of 2022.
- Chancellor announces £1 billion fund for businesses
On 21 December 2021, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, unveiled a £1 billion COVID-19 fund, including cash grants of up to £6,000 per premises for each eligible firm. Click here for the full story - Self assessment taxpayers must declare COVID grants on tax returns
HMRC has reminded self assessment taxpayers to declare any COVID-19 grant payments on their 2020/21 tax return. Click here for the full story - HMRC waives self assessment penalties for one month to ease COVID-19 pressures HMRC is waiving late filing and late payment penalties for self assessment taxpayers for one month. Click here for the full story
- FCA to introduce new consumer duty
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is set to introduce a new consumer duty to better protect users of financial services.
Click here for the full story - HMRC latest guidance for employers
HMRC has published the latest edition of the Employer Bulletin.
Click here for the full story - Over 440,000 small firms at risk due to late payment crisis
More than 440,000 small firms could be forced out of business by the late payment crisis, according to the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).
Click here for the full story
North-West region’s economic recovery loses momentum
Growth of business activity in the North West slowed in December, the latest Regional PMI data from NatWest showed, with rising prices, supply-side constraints and renewed uncertainty following the emergence of Omicron, all acting as headwinds to the region’s economic performance. The headline North-West Business Activity Index – a seasonally adjusted index that measures the month-on-month change in the combined output of the region’s manufacturing and service sectors – registered 53.1 in December. Although still above the 50.0 mark that separates growth from contraction, it was down from 57.6 in November to signal a notable loss of growth momentum as the year drew to a close. The region’s slowdown mirrored the trend recorded for the UK as a whole.
GM Mayor issues statement on Clean Air Zone charges
Greater Manchester leaders have issued a statement responding to growing pushback from residents over plans to implement Clean Air Zone charges for the most polluting commercial vehicles from 30th May 2022. The statement, issued jointly by Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and the city-region’s Clean Air Lead and Trafford Council leader, Cllr Andrew Western, comes following growing concerns that supply chain challenges and rising costs of new and second-hand vehicles compliant with the scheme will impact businesses’ ability to comply with the new rules. In their statement, city-region leaders reconfirmed measures to tackle harmful NOx air pollution in Greater Manchester are mandated by government to be in place by 2024. So far Greater Manchester has received £120 million to provide financial support to organisations affected by the scheme, but requests for additional funds have been granted.
GOV & BBC UK daily data:
There have been more than 14 million confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK and more than 150,000 people have died, government figures show. Nearly 52 million people have now received a first dose of the vaccine, 90% of people in the UK aged 12 and over. 83% have had their second and 62% have had a booster.
Total UK Cases: 14,475,192 positive tests
Latest UK daily figure: 141,472 new cases
Number in UK hospital: 18,454 (439 more than on previous day)
New deaths across UK: 97
Total UK deaths: 150,154
England Cases per 100,000: 1,758
R number in UK: 0.9 to 1.1
Vaccine data:
Total 1st doses given: 51,950,528 – 90% of UK aged 12+
Total 2nd doses: 83%
Daily 1st doses: 30,713
Daily 2nd doses: 45,468
Daily Booster doses: 225,541
The R value and growth rate
The latest reproduction number (R) and growth rate of coronavirus (COVID-19).
The R range for England is 1.2 to 1.5 the growth rate range for England is +3% to +6% per day as of 7 January 2022.
Latest Stockport coronavirus data:
Total Stockport cases: 72,085 to 7 January
Cases in the latest week: 7,032 (+1,377 compared with previous week)
Total deaths: 812 to December 24th (+1 on previous week)
Cases per 100,000: 2,390 per 100,000 (28 Dec to 3 Jan)
Stockport vaccine data:
1st dose: 85% of over 12s to 3 January
2nd dose: 79%
3rd / booster dose: 62%
STOCKPORT GRANT SCHEMES:
ARG Grant data as at 17/12/2021:
Applications received: 341
Applications allocated: 45%
Value of Grants issued: £450,500
Locality Boost Grant data as at 17/12/2021:
Applications received: 22
Applications processed / in process: 95%
SECTOR SPECIFIC CORONAVIRUS-RELATED NEWS:
BUSINESS:
Tell HMRC and pay back a Self-Employment Income Support Scheme grant
If you’ve received an email from HMRC, you can now check whether you need to tell HMRC and pay back a grant. 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 – Information box updated to include change from 11 January, people in England who receive a positive lateral flow test will be required to self-isolate immediately but won’t need to take a confirmatory PCR test.
Manage your Kickstart Scheme funding
How employers will get the Kickstart Scheme funding and changes you need to tell us about – the deadline for grant agreements to be signed and returned has now passed.
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 – clarifying guidance on returning to work after a continued positive LFD test.
COMMUNITY:
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.
COVID-19 rapid lateral flow test kit instructions: throat and nose test
How to do a rapid throat and nose test for COVID-19 and report the results. This test is only for people who do not have symptoms of COVID-19 – added updated version of ‘Step-by-step guide to COVID-19 self-testing for throat and nose test’ (English).
Coronavirus (COVID-19) PCR home test kit instructions
Find out how to do a PCR test for COVID-19 at home and check if you need to register a test kit – updated translations of ‘How to test yourself for coronavirus (COVID-19) at home (easy read)’. Added Spanish and Romanian translations.
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.
Enabling safe and effective volunteering during coronavirus (COVID-19)
This guidance aims to help organisations and groups understand how to safely and effectively involve volunteers during the pandemic – information box updated to include change from 11 January, people in England who receive a positive lateral flow test will be required to self-isolate immediately but won’t need to take a confirmatory PCR test.
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 – information box updated to include change from 11 January, people in England who receive a positive lateral flow test will be required to self-isolate immediately but won’t need to take a confirmatory PCR test.
Testing for coronavirus (COVID-19) before hospital
Sets out how and when to use a PCR home test kit to test for COVID-19 before a hospital procedure – added information about giving feedback about your test kit or reporting harm.
CONSTRUCTION:
Construction supply woes ease as new orders boom
Construction buyers reported the strongest rise in new orders in December since last August as supply shortages continued to decline. The bellwether Markit/CIPS UK Construction PMI Total Activity Index contained the double dose of good news despite overall growth slipping slightly to 54.3% from 55.55% in November – still well ahead of the crucial 50 no-change threshold.
EDUCATION:
Managing coronavirus (COVID-19) in education and childcare settings
What measures education and childcare settings should be prepared to introduce to manage coronavirus (COVID-19) – updated advice on face coverings and baseline measures.
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.
Get help with technology for remote education
Find out about the support available for educational settings and local authorities for remote and face-to-face education, and access to social care.
Higher education providers: coronavirus (COVID-19)
Coronavirus (COVID-19) operational guidance for higher education providers – updated advice for students before travelling to the UK.
HEALTHCARE & WELLBEING:
What your NHS COVID Pass letter tells you (easy read)
Easy-read version of the non-personal information in your NHS COVID Pass letter about your COVID-19 status.
COVID-19 vaccination programme
Documents relating to the new coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination programme – added JCVI statement on the adult COVID-19 booster vaccination programme and the Omicron variant.
Medical devices given exceptional use authorisations during the COVID-19 pandemic
List of manufacturers and their medical devices which have been granted an exemption by the MHRA. The list also includes manufacturers whose exemption expired or was cancelled. This information will be listed for 2 months after expiry or cancellation.
PROPERTY:
New rules for unvaccinated tenants living with someone with Covid
The government is clamping down – at least a little – on unvaccinated tenants in some specific circumstances. New guidelines issued by the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities say that…
…if a tenant or buyer is aged 18 years and six months or more;
…is not fully vaccinated; and
…if they live in the same household as someone who has tested positive for Covid
…then they must legally stay at home and self-isolate.
This would even be during the period when they would have been scheduled to have moved home.
Four things to watch out for in the UK property market 2022
In this opinion piece, Tom Bill, head of UK residential research at Knight Frank, outlines the key things for those with a stake in property to consider in 2022.
The combination of the Christmas break and an Omicron surge has been disorientating. Here are four things to consider for the UK property market as the confusion begins to lift. If there had been no Omicron variant, we could predict with a high degree of confidence that supply in the UK property market would rise in early 2022. Sellers have been stirring in recent months as the frenetic conditions of the stamp duty holiday become a distant memory. READ ON
RETAIL:
Fatface back on track as sales rise above pre-pandemic levels
Clothing retailer FatFace has reported a 22% year-on-year rise in sales over the Christmas season, covering the five-week period to 1 January 2022. Sales for the five-week period rose by 3% compared with the same period in 2019, and 22% up on 2020, when many of its stores were forced into lockdown amid Covid-19. The performance was buoyed by demand at its online shop where sales increased 62% on 2019. Sales at the retailer in the six-month period to 27 November 2021 increased 4% to £125 million while the business reported that 38% of its sales were online versus 25% two years ago, an increase of 13%.
SPORT:
Measures for grassroots sport participants, providers and facility operators
This guidance sets out information for the public and sport providers on how to organise and participate in grassroots sport and physical activity as safely as possible – call out box on self-isolation and testing changes added.
Guidance on coronavirus (COVID-19) measures for elite sport
This guidance sets out information for elite sport organisations on how to reduce the risk from COVID-19. This includes guidance on domestic and cross-border competitions – call out box on self-isolation and testing changes added.
TRANSPORT:
Haulier advice site locations
Find sites where HGV and coach drivers can get free COVID-19 tests and check their documents to transport goods to the EU. The Holyhead haulier advice site will be closed until 17 January 2022.
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.
Coronavirus (COVID-19): advice for UK visa applicants and temporary UK residents
This is advice for visa customers and applicants in the UK, visa customers outside of the UK and British nationals overseas who need to apply for a passport affected by travel restrictions associated with coronavirus – in the chapter on ‘If you’re applying to enter the UK or remain on the basis of family or private life’, updated the ‘If you’re unable to provide specified documents’ section to extend the deadline to 31 March 2022.
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 to reflect new rules coming into force on 9 January – fully vaccinated arrivals can take a lateral flow test instead of a PCR test on or before day 2 after they arrive.
Travel to England from another country during coronavirus (COVID-19)
Check what COVID-19 tests you need to take and the quarantine rules for travel to England – you can now choose a lateral flow test or a PCR test as your post arrival test.
Approved COVID-19 vaccines and countries and territories with approved proof of vaccination
Approved vaccines and list of countries and territories with approved COVID-19 proof of vaccination for travel to England.
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.
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