November 10th: Coronavirus News Updates

HEADLINES:

ONS: UK’s unemployment rate rises to 4.8%

The UK’s unemployment rate rises to 4.8% as coronavirus continues to hit the jobs market, latest figures show. From July to September the number of people out of work rose to 1.62m from 1.5m. There are currently 2.6m benefit claims ad redundancies rose by a record 181,000 to 314,000 people, a record for 3 month period. The figures also showed a drop in employment of 16 – 24 year olds.

New vaccine could be administered early to mid-December
Preliminary findings show a vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech can prevent more than 90% of people from getting Covid-19 and is one of 11 vaccines that are currently in the final stages of testing.

Speaking on BBC Breakfast this morning, BBC Medical Editor Fergus Walsh said it is hoped the new vaccine could be approved in two weeks and there are no immediate safety concerns. The immunization programme could begin early to mid-December and consist of two doses administered three weeks apart. The RNA vaccine – the first ever produced in this way – takes a part of the virus genetic code that tells cells what to build and coats it in a lipid so it can enter the body’s cells. The vaccine stimulates a coronavirus spike protein prompting the body to produce antibodies, activating T cells to destroy infected cells.

Older people will be vaccinated first, including care home staff. The vaccine has to stored at minus 80 degrees and once left the cold store, it can’t be put back in.

This new vaccine is the fastest ever to go from lab to use with no compromise on safety and testament to the round the clock dedication of scientists. Oxford Astra Zeneca are also using spike protein to create immunity. Fergus Walsh went on to say that it isn’t yet known whether the vaccine stops transmission too. All data shows so far that it stops people getting ill but scientists can’t confirm how long immunity lasts so a booster may be required. The vaccine is apparently easy to produce and the immunization programme may be carried out in central hubs – sports halls etc – to retain social distancing and vaccinate in larger numbers. The British Medical Association said mass vaccination centres could be used “in a similar way to testing centres”.

But Boris Johnson warned people not to “rely on this news as a solution” – and it is still “very, very early days”.

On Monday, the news was announced that the world’s first effective coronavirus vaccine had shown positive results in its preliminary tests on 43,500 people.

The UK has already ordered 40 million doses – enough to vaccinate up to 20 million people as each person will need two doses for it to work effectively.
What is the new vaccine and how effective is it?

UK government response to Pfizer/BioNTech’s publication of efficacy data of their COVID-19 vaccine
Pfizer/BioNTech published positive efficacy results from Phase 3 studies of their potential COVID-19 vaccine.

Prime Minister’s statement on coronavirus (COVID-19): 9 November 2020
Prime Minister Boris Johnson made a statement at the coronavirus press conference.

Ofsted: Children hardest hit by COVID-19 pandemic are regressing in basic skills and learning
Ofsted has today published its second report on the effects of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic across the sectors it inspects and regulates.

More rapid COVID-19 tests to be rolled out across England
600,000 lateral flow tests to be sent out this week to kick-start the significant expansion of testing, followed by weekly local allocations.

Graphic courtesy of BBC

National Restrictions Poster
Graphical poster displaying information about the national restrictions in England.

Latest UK data:

Positive tests: 1,213,363 have tested positive (+ 21,350 new cases)
Loss of life: *49,238 across all settings (+ 194 in last 24 hours)
Hospital admissions: 1,533 new admissions
Cases in Stockport: 1,125 cases 28 Oct to 3 Nov (-198 on previous week)
Cases in Stockport: 383 cases per 100,000 (England area average: 174)
Deaths in Stockport: 389 coronavirus-related registered to 23 October
Total cases in Stockport: 8,615 to 9 November
R rate in England: 1.1–1.3

*Daily reported COVID deaths are measured across the UK as deaths that occurred within 28 days of the first laboratory-confirmed positive COVID test

The R number and growth rate in the UK
The latest reproduction number (R) and growth rate of coronavirus (COVID-19) in the UK.

Slides, datasets and transcripts to accompany coronavirus press conferences
Slides, datasets and transcripts from press conferences at 10 Downing Street in response to coronavirus.

COVID-19: background information
Information on COVID-19 including epidemiology, virology and clinical features – updated global case numbers.

LOCAL / REGIONAL NEWS & UPDATES:

Business grant schemes designed to provide support in and out of lockdown
There are a number of business grant schemes available that cover different periods of time and different situations, such as being under national lockdown.
The Council currently has two live business grant schemes – both for businesses that have a business rates liability, and they are for the following circumstances:

For the period of being in Tier 3 from 24/10/20 to 04/11/20 – link to guidance and applications is here – https://www.stockport.gov.uk/support-for-businesses-and-employers

For the period of new national restrictions (lockdown) from 05/11/20 – link to guidance and applications is here – https://www.stockport.gov.uk/support-for-businesses-and-employers/local-restrictions-support-grant-5th-november

Stockport Council will also be offering business grants under a discretionary scheme. Details of these schemes are currently being finalised and will be published and open for applications shortly. More information on these will be provided as soon as it is available.

GM Mayor criticises government air travel strategy
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has criticised the Government’s coronavirus response in regards to the air travel sector, as he warns in a Sunday Telegraph article of 70,000 jobs at risk in and around Manchester Airport. The city-region mayor called for urgent support for the aviation sector; he cited the potential impact on communities around Manchester Airport in South Manchester and Stockport, for which the Northern hub is a key centre of employment. Mr Burnham warned that 25,000 jobs on the site were at risk, along with a further 45,000 in associated industries, with the coronavirus pandemic’s impact likely to be felt disproportionately by regional airports. Manchester Airports Group has already warned of around 450 job losses in the North, and a further 450 at its other UK airports, due to the collapse in passenger numbers brought about by the pandemic.

Staff at North West hi-tech engineering firm volunteer to trial COVID-19 saliva test
he entire workforce of a specialist engineering firm in Rochdale have volunteered to take part in a trial with Manchester-based COVID testing company Medusa 19 as a potential way to know they and their colleagues are free from the virus. Trelleborg is one of the first UK companies to host such a trial. Medusa 19’s Rapid Saliva Protein Test (RSPT) is unique in that it is non-invasive, can detect IgM and IgG antibodies in a saliva sample, and provides a result on the spot within 10 minutes.

GC Business Growth Hub supports over 3,000 GM businesses
New figures show that more than 3,265 businesses across Greater Manchester – more than 460 on average each month – have received help, support and guidance from the Growth Company, including the GC Business Growth Hub, between March and September 2020 alone. The Growth Company provided access to more than £10m of finance to Greater Manchester businesses during this time and has helped secure and create 938 new jobs. Now, as the UK experiences its second nationwide lockdown this year, leaders from the GC Business Growth Hub, part of the Growth Company and part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund, are reminding businesses across the region that vital help and support remains available to them through a range of free-to-access programmes and services. To encourage businesses to continue to reach out and make the most of the opportunities available, from November 9-30, the Hub will be promoting local businesses that have been impacted by COVID-19. Those wishing to participate are encouraged to engage with the Hub on its social channels via the hashtag #HereforBusiness.

By working in collaboration, Stockport can become united and encouraged to build a better future for everyone by supporting the local economy, connecting communities and promoting health & wellbeing. Find out more at www.onestockport.co.uk

BUSINESS & FINANCE:

HMRC Webinars to explain changes to the CJRS / furlough scheme:
The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) has now been extended until the end of March for all parts of the UK, with claims opening this week. You will still need to submit all final claims for periods up to 31??? ?October on or before?3?????0??? November. Make sure you have the latest information by joining the live Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme webinar, which includes:

who can claim
who you can claim for
how to calculate what you can claim
how to make a claim

and a reminder of how to claim for periods up to 31 October. We will continue to update our webinars to reflect the latest information as it becomes available. Register here

HMRC are also running monthly webinars on the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme. Get the latest information on:

who can claim
who you can claim for
how to make a claim
what you may be entitled to, and more.

Register here

You can ask questions during all our live webinars using the on-screen text box.
Our webinars are constantly updated to provide the latest government guidance on changes as they develop.

European Structural and Investment Funds: Coronavirus (COVID-19) Response
A series of documents and updates regarding the 2014 to 2020 European Structural and Investment Funds Programme and the response to COVID-19.

New National Restrictions from 5 November
Information on the new national restrictions, including what they mean for working from home and business closures, why they are being introduced and the financial support available.

Stockport Business Support coronavirus recovery

As Stockport’s business community prepares for recovery post-coronavirus, a group of business leaders from the town have collaborated with Stockport Council to launch a new website – skbusinessrecovery.co.uk to support businesses through the phases of recovery.

COMMUNITY:

COVID-19: guidance for arranging or attending a funeral during the coronavirus pandemic
Guidance for arranging or attending a funeral during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

CONSTRUCTION:

Skanska introduces flexible working system
The initiative has moved up the agenda in the wake of Covid -19 because it “allows scope for people to optimise their personal productivity, for example by reducing unnecessary travel time.” Skanska UK’s Executive Vice President, Harvey Francis said; “Flex-it gives us greater agility and flexibility that will allow people to perform at their best and marks a significant shift in working patterns for many of our people.

EDUCATION:

COVID-19 series: briefing on local areas’ SEND provision, October 2020
Evidence from 6 visits to local areas, looking at their special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) provision between 5 and 14 October 2020.

Ofsted COVID-19 series
Briefing notes and commentaries from Amanda Spielman about providers that we have visited or spoken to during the interim phase of our return to routine inspection – added briefing notes for October together with a commentary from Amanda Spielman.

COVID-19 series: briefing on further education and skills, October 2020
Evidence from visits to further education and skills providers between 1 and 16 October.

COVID-19 series: briefing on schools, October 2020
Evidence from visits to schools between 29 September and 23 October 2020.

COVID-19 series: briefing on early years, October 2020
Evidence from research interviews with 208 registered early years providers and maintained nursery schools between 5 and 16 October.

Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance on isolation for residential educational settings
Guidance to support management of children and young people in residential educational settings, including boarding schools, residential special schools and children’s social care.

HEALTH, CARE & WELLBEING:

COVID-19: impact on vaccination programmes
Reports assessing the impact of COVID-19-related physical distancing measures on delivery of childhood vaccination programmes in England.

Adult Social Care Infection Control Fund: round 2
Sets out the infection control measures that the new infection control fund will support, including information on the distribution of funds and reporting requirements – updated ‘Annex E: local authority reporting template: reporting point 1 – October 2020 spending’ to correct cell validation rules in the spreadsheet.

Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance
Find guidance about coronavirus (COVID-19) for health and social care settings, other non-clinical settings, and for the general public – added ‘COVID-19: investigation and management of travellers returning from Denmark and their household contacts’.

PPE deliveries (England): 2 November to 8 November 2020
Experimental statistics showing the latest number of personal protective equipment (PPE) items distributed for use by health and social care services in England.

HOSPITALITY:

Working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19)
Restaurants, pubs, bars and takeaway services – Updated guidance during national restrictions from 5 November: Hospitality venues like restaurants, barsand pubs must close, but can still provide takeaway and delivery services. Sale of alcohol is permitted via pre-order for collection or delivery services only. Anyone who can work from home, should (section 1.1) and clinically extremely vulnerable individuals should not attend work if they can’t work from home for this period of restrictions (section 2.1).

JUDICIARY:

Coronavirus (COVID-19): courts and tribunals planning and preparation
This page provides advice and guidance for all court and tribunal users during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and will be updated when new advice is available.

COVID-19: HMCTS publishes Civil, Family & Tribunals Recovery Plan
Detailed plan outlines how the civil and family courts, and our tribunals are increasing capacity to hear cases and maintain operations during COVID-19.

Court and tribunal recovery update in response to coronavirus
An update setting out the work being undertaken by HMCTS in the short and medium terms in response to coronavirus (COVID-19). Overview of HMCTS recovery for civil and family courts and tribunals published.

LOCAL AUTHORITY:

More rapid COVID-19 tests to be rolled out across England
600,000 lateral flow tests to be sent out this week to kick-start the significant expansion of testing, followed by weekly local allocations – added list of local authorities where directors of public health will be issued with lateral flow devices. Stoke on Trent, Liverpool and Lancashire have already been provided with lateral flow tests before this week.

COVID-19 series: briefing on children’s social care, October 2020
Evidence from assurance visits to social care providers and focused visits to local authorities between 8 September and 15 October.

Local authority preparations for Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day
Information for councils in England on how to ensure those hosting local Remembrance events can do so safely – guidance updated to include Armistice Day.

MANUFACTURING:

Hope of new vaccine by Christmas from Pfizer and BioNTech
Pfizer and BioNTech have announced positive efficacy results from the third phase, late-stage study of their potential Covid-19 vaccine, which was found to be more than 90 per cent effective.
Pfizer chairman and chief executive Albert Bourla hailed “a first but critical step” in the project to “deliver a safe and effective vaccine”.

PROPERTY:

How are tenants changing their outlook in the coronavirus
A large-scale survey of private tenants has attempted to uncover what renters feel about the sector and their individual properties in light of the Coronavirus crisis.
The survey was of 3,100 tenants aged 18 to 65 and was undertaken by Vaboo, a PropTech platform that creates and manages tenant rewards and engagement platforms for letting agents. Vaboo asked if Covid-19 meant that renters would stay in their current property longer: some 43 per cent of respondents answered No and a further 29 per cent hadn’t decided. A big majority – over 66 per cent of tenants responding – were worried about the idea of renting for life.

TRANSPORT:

Speech to Airport Operators Association, November 2020
Address to the Airport Operators Association covering Covid pandemic, recovery works, support, regional connectivity, longer term working and Brexit.

TRAVEL:

COVID-19: investigation and management of travellers returning from Denmark and their household contacts
Guidance for the investigation and management of coronavirus (COVID-19) in travellers returning from Denmark and their household contacts.

Covid-19 Webinars:

Remote education webinars
How to access school-led webinars on remote education to help share good practice – new dates for webinars for teachers added.

Help and support if your business is affected by coronavirus (COVID-19)
Watch videos and register for the free webinars to learn more about the?support available to help you deal with the economic impacts of?coronavirus. The YouTube video for Self-Employment Income Support Scheme – Universal Credit and Child Benefit has been updated.

Make your workplace COVID-secure:

You can find recordings of webinars covering other types of workplace here

HMRC:

Coronavirus COVID-19 Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme:
Providing an overview of the scheme, this webinar looks at who can claim, when to start paying SSP, employees you can claim for, making a claim, keeping records, and more. Choose a date and time to view webinar

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme – How to make a claim:
This guides you through making a claim, including the essential information you need, what to do before you make your claim, calculating and processing your claim.
Choose a date and time

If you’ve missed any of HMRC’s live webinars, you can catch up series of recorded webinars on HMRC’s YouTube channel – available at a time to suit you.

Twice weekly: EnterprisingYou

Finance support for the self-employed webinars For info about latest webinar date announcements please visit the website https://enterprising-you.co.uk/latest-news/

ACAS

A series of courses to help businesses with transition from lockdown

Useful information and links:

Government extends JRS furlough scheme at 80% for period of lockdown
The government has said the furlough scheme, due to have closed on 31^st October, would now be extended until December.

Check if your employer can use the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

Check which employees you can put on furlough to use the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

Calculate how much you can claim using the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

Steps to take before calculating your claim using the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

Check if you can claim for your employees’ wages through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

Job Retention Bonus (JRB)
Employers are able to claim a one-off payment of £1,000 for every eligible employee furloughed and claimed for through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS), kept continuously employed until at least 31??? ?January 2021 and who meets the other eligibility criteria. Claims can be made between 15??? ?February and 31??? ?March.

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme – closes on 31??? ?October
Please note that this scheme closes on 31??? ?October and employers will need to make any final claims on or before 30??? ?November. You will not be able to submit or add to any claims after 30??? ?November.

Check if you’re eligible for the coronavirus Local Restrictions Support Grant
The Local Restrictions Support Grant (LRSG) supports businesses that have been required to close due to temporary COVID-19 local lockdown restrictions imposed by the government.

Job Support Scheme expanded to help businesses forced to close
The Government’s Job Support Scheme (JSS) has been expanded to support businesses across the UK required to close their premises due to coronavirus restrictions.

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.

Full list of local COVID alert levels by area
The areas in England listed as local COVID alert level high and local COVID alert level very high.

Local COVID Alert level: Very High (Liverpool City Region)
Guidance on additional restrictions for Liverpool City Region.

Local COVID Alert Level Posters
A series of graphical posters displaying information about the Local COVID Alert Level.

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.

Find someone to apply for a Kickstart Scheme grant on your behalf
Find a Kickstart gateway in England, Scotland or Wales who have expressed interest in helping employers get a Kickstart Scheme grant.

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

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.

Coronavirus Act report: September 2020
The third two-monthly report on which powers in the Coronavirus Act 2020 are currently active.

Self-Employment Income Support Scheme grant extension
The grant is being extended from 1 November 2020. Find out if you’re eligible and how much you can get.

Hospitality venues in England are now legally required to enforce the rule of 6 or face a fine of up to £4,000.
Designated businesses and organisations, including hospitality, close contact services and leisure venues, will also be legally required to log details of customers, visitors and staff for NHS Test and Trace and required to display official NHS QR code posters under law

NHS Test and Trace service in the workplace
Guidance on the NHS Test and Trace service for employers, businesses and workers updated to reflect the new legal requirements for designated venues to collect contact details and display official NHS QR code posters from 24^th September

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

The SMBC website and produce a form for completion online if anyone wants to report an outbreak. The links are now live and are below:
https://www.stockport.gov.uk/coronavirus-in-stockport/report-a-coronavirus-outbreak
https://www.stockport.gov.uk/guidance-for-employees-employers-and-businesses

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

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.

New 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.

Coronavirus outbreak FAQs: what you can and can’t do
Frequently asked questions on what you can and can’t do during the coronavirus outbreak – guidance updated in line with new regulations coming into force on 4 July

Business Survey:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dcms-coronavirus-impact-business-survey/dcms-business-survey-headline-measures

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.

Applications Now Open for the Local Authority Discretion Fund. Businesses that had been eligible for the Self-Employment Income Support are also now eligible for the LA Discretionary Business Grant.

Apply for the coronavirus Future Fund
The Future Fund will provide UK Government loans to UK-based companies ranging from £125,000 to £5 million, subject to at least equal match funding from private investors.

Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme set to launch
Employers will be able to make claims through the Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme from 26 May.

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

Government – Setting out of Road Map to recovery – 11^th May 2020
Our plan to rebuild: The UK Government’s 60 page COVID-19 recovery strategy
The UK Government’s COVID-19 recovery strategy. The strategy sets out a cautious roadmap to easing existing measures in a safe and measured way, subject to successfully controlling the virus and being able to monitor and react to its spread.Stockport Council has launched a FREE job matching website to help 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

Coronavirus Act 2020: status
A table setting out the status of each measure in the Coronavirus Act 2020.

Government – Financial Support
New 100% government backed loan scheme for small business

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

Government – Financial Support
CBILS – A guide to whether it may be the best options for a business

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.businesssupport.gov.uk/coronavirus-business-support/

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

Bank of England – Financial Support: https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/news/2020/march/the-covid-corporate-financing-facility

Stockport Council Grant scheme:
https://www.stockport.gov.uk/business-rates-support-measures

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

UK Lockdown – Further businesses to close and exceptions: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/874732/230320_-_Revised_guidance_note_-_finalVF

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

Food & Drink – advice and guidance:
https://marketingstockport.co.uk/news/food-delivery-and-takeaway-guidance-for-food-businesses-looking-to-diversify/

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

Health– Shielding the most vulnerable
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19

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.

Health – the big white wall
The Big White Wall offers 24/7 anonymous support via a digital emotional wellbeing and mental health service, offering peer support for anyone over the age of 16, support from trained clinicians alongside a range of helpful tools and resources.

Media and Marketing:
Prolific North are publishing daily updates on their blog as to how Covid-19 is impacting on the marketing, media and technology industries

Travel:
https://media.northernrailway.co.uk/news/coronavirus-travel-information

Recruitment: – DWP and Universal Credit http://news.dwp.gov.uk/dwplz/lz.aspx?p1=MQsDU1NjQ5MlM2OTA0OjNCNDJBOEZCRTJDOUJEOTc1ODQ0RTRCRDNDNzk4QUNF-&CC=&p=0

Retail: An update form British Retail Consortium
https://brc.org.uk/news/corporate-affairs/coronavirus-latest-retailer-activity/

Employment: – Stockport Jobs Match

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.

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.