GOV & BBC UK daily data:
There have been more than 9 million confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK and sadly over 140,000 people have died, government figures show. Around 86% of people in the UK aged 12 and over have had their first dose of a coronavirus vaccine and around 79% have had their second. A booster campaign is also underway.
Total UK Cases: 9,057,629 positive tests
Latest UK daily figure: 38,009 new cases
New deaths across UK: 74
Total UK deaths: 140, 632
Number of people in hospital 8,983 (57 more than on previous day) ?
England cases per 100,000: 486
R number in England: 1.0 – 1.2
UK Vaccine data:
Total 1st doses given: 49,955,853 – 87% of UK 12+
Total 2nd doses: 45,697,856 / 79% of UK 12+
Daily 1st doses: 33,763
Daily 2nd doses: 24,908
Booster: 361,428 – 7,925,851 total booster doses
Latest Stockport data:
Total cases: 46,000 to 28 October
Cases in latest week: 1,527 (133 less than previous week)
Total deaths: 760 registered to 15 Oct (+1)
Stockport cases per 100,000 519 per 100,000 (18 Oct to 24 Oct)
Stockport vaccine data:
1st dose 82% of aged 12+ to 27 Oct
2nd dose: 76% of aged 12+
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 1.3 and the growth rate range for England is +1% to +3% per day as of 29 October 2021.
UK NEWS UPDATES:
Boosters available at walk-in-sites across UK
Boosters are now being given at walk-in vaccination sites with no appointment needed as the NHS aims to ramp up jabs uptake ahead of a “challenging” winter. From Monday, anyone eligible who had their second dose of a coronavirus vaccine at least six months ago can turn up at one of hundreds of jabs sites across England to get their top-up. People are advised to use the NHS online walk-in finder to check where their nearest centre is. NHS England said almost every person registered with a GP practice lives within 10 miles of a fixed vaccination site. The walk-in finder website will show who can get jabs at different sites, whether it is offering boosters, vaccines for 12-15 year-olds, or anyone aged 16 and over.
Ryanair recovery continues despite more losses
Ryanair’s recovery from the Covid-19 collapse in air travel has continued, but the airline still expects a heavy loss for the year. The airline has narrowed losses in the past few months but warned its annual deficit could hit €200m (£170m). Boss Michael O’Leary told the BBC the industry was seeing a “very strong recovery” across Europe. However, he said heavy price discounting would be needed to fill aircraft this winter. The recent school holidays had seen Ryanair “full to the gills as people got a last bit of sun”, Mr O’Leary said. But that did not mean the hit to the industry from the coronavirus pandemic was over, he added.
REGIONAL & LOCAL NEWS:
Greater Manchesters investment fund creates thousands of jobs, homes and boosts businesses
GREATER Manchester’s Investment Fund continues to provide a major boost to the city-region’s economy with thousands of local jobs, quality homes and commercial spaces created since its launch. Investments made by Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) into the local economy have reached £900m, with the figure continuing to rise through fund recycling as money is given back from previous successful business loans and reinvested in new projects. The Housing Loan Fund has injected £575m into residential developments, resulting in 7,793 new homes. The fund, available to help developers kickstart housing projects that would otherwise be difficult to fund from elsewhere, is on track to deliver 10,000 new homes across Greater Manchester.
North tipped for transatlantic trade and tourism boost
Transatlantic trade and tourism will be kickstarted by the return of flights between the North and the US from one week today, Monday 8th November. Manchester Airport is set to welcome the return of services to a number of US destinations after the American government confirmed it will be opening its borders to British visitors again. Before the pandemic, the UK’s third largest gateway was among the best-connected to the States in Europe, with more than three million passengers a year crossing the pond from its catchment area. The first stateside bound flights from Manchester will be Virgin Atlantic services to Orlando and New York, with Orlando being the first departure. The Orlando service will depart at 10:10am, whilst the New York flight will leave at 13:10pm. Following this, routes to Atlanta and Houston will also return over the coming weeks and months.
SECTOR SPECIFIC CORONAVIRUS-RELATED NEWS:
BUSINESS:
Coronavirus (COVID-19): jobs that qualify for travel exemptions
Jobs that qualify for exemptions from quarantine, passenger locator form or COVID testing requirements.
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.
Recovery Loan Scheme
The Recovery Loan Scheme supports access to finance for UK businesses as they grow and recover from the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Stockport to host Care & Support Workers in-person Jobs Fair
To help showcase the opportunities in the care sector locally, Stockport Jobs Match has organised an in-person Jobs Fair on Tuesday 2nd November from 1pm to 4pm at Cornerstone, Stockport Homes, 2 Edward Street, Stockport, SK1 3NQ. The event is free to attend, with tickets available from the Stockport Jobs Match website.
Coronavirus: how to stay safe and help prevent the spread
Find out how to stay safe and help prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Bespoke testing for jobs with travel exemptions
Find out about bespoke testing legally required for certain types of work.
Coming to England for seasonal agricultural work, poultry work or pork processing
Advice for seasonal agricultural workers, seasonal poultry workers and pork butchers coming to England to work on farms or processing sites or at slaughterhouses, and their employers.
CARE:
Coronavirus (COVID-19) testing for adult social care settings
Outlines the COVID-19 testing available for testing staff, residents and visitors for all adult social care settings – added How to use your rapid lateral flow test (PDF and HTML versions).
COMMUNITY:
Coronavirus and self-isolation after testing positive in England: 27 September to 2 October 2021
Behaviour of individuals required to self-isolate after testing positive for COVID-19, from the COVID Test and Trace Cases Insights Survey. Includes information on the impact of self-isolation on well-being and finances. Experimental Statistics.
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.
CONSTRUCTION:
Industry to be hit with 16% cement price hike
Cement producers are planning to hike prices by £15 a tonne blaming high energy costs for the biggest single increase in decades. The big industry-wide hike amounts to around a 16% jump and will come into force at the end of this year.
It threatens to send a shock wave through construction taking the annual rise to an unprecedented 30% over the year. One contractor warned: “This is going to hit everybody but also major projects very hard. A jump like this will impact planned spending on Government projects.”
| How to apply the VAT reverse charge for construction services |
| Find out: |
| • when to apply the VAT reverse charge • how to show the reverse charge on your invoices • what to do if you make a mistake when applying the reverse charge. |
| Register here |
EDUCATION:
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.
Reported coronavirus (COVID-19) notifications by registered early years and childcare settings
This data is published fortnightly. It gives the number of registered early years and childcare providers reporting one or more confirmed cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) by week.
HEALTH & WELLBEING:
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.
Guidance updated to allow flexibility in booster programme for most vulnerable
Clinical guidance has been updated to allow COVID-19 boosters to be given earlier to those at highest risk where this makes operational sense
PROPERTY:
The hottest property investment strategy for 2022
Property investment firm Advantage Investment explores the effects Covid-19 has had on property investment and lists the benefits of investing in holiday lets.
From a commercial perspective, Covid-19 has had devastating effects for many industries in the UK, such as hospitality and travel, which have been severely impacted by lockdown and travel restrictions. However, there have also been some industries that have massively profited from the pandemic. Aside from the obvious uplift in PPE and pharmaceutical company revenues, tech companies offering remote working software such as Zoom and online shopping companies such as Amazon have enjoyed big profits.
Government delays Rental Reform White Paper until 2022
The Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities says the long-awaited Rental Reform White Paper will now not be published until next year.
It had long been stated by the Ministry that the White Paper would come out “this autumn” but now contributors to the preparation of the document have been told that the extra time will give the government an opportunity to produce a “balanced package of reforms”. Housing minister Eddie Hughes, speaking at the Conservative party conference, had already suggested that his teams were still in discussions to avoid what he called “unintentional consequences.”
U-turn on housing market forecast by government advisers
Official forecasts suggest house prices will rise for five years at least, although at well below the rate of growth seen in 2021. The Office for Budget Responsibility says an 8.6 per cent rise is expected this year, falling to 3.2 per cent in 2022 and 0.9 per cent in 2023. Further ahead the OBR says house price rises of 1.9 per cent will be seen in in 2024, the 2.9 per cent in 2025, and 3.5 per cent in 2026.
The OBR – which advises the government but operates independently – also says mortgage rates are likely to rise from record lows. As recently as March the year the OBR predicted prices would fall in 2022 before returning to growth in 2023.
TRAVEL:
Thailand reopens to vaccinated tourists from over 60 nations
Tens of thousands of travellers are expected to arrive in Thailand today as the country reopens to tourists after 18 months of Covid restrictions.
Vaccinated tourists from more than 60 “low-risk” nations are allowed to enter the country and avoid hotel quarantine. Tourist numbers are forecast to jump to as much as 15 million next year, bringing in more than $30bn (£22bn). However, much of country still faces restrictions, with only around 42% of the population fully vaccinated.
Red list of countries and territories
Check the COVID-19 testing and quarantine rules for countries and territories on the red list for international travel to England – Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Haiti, Panama, Peru and Venezuela will move off the red list 4am Monday 1 November. No countries or territories currently on the red list.
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.
Foreign travel insurance
If you’re travelling abroad, it’s important to take out appropriate travel insurance before you go – updated guidance on using an EHIC or GHIC to access healthcare in Switzerland.
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