DAILY STATISTICS
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.
HEADLINES
Student mass-testing programme ahead of returning home at Christmas
A mass student testing programme has been revealed in a bid to get students home safely for Christmas. The testing schedule will enable students a travel window between 3rd to 9th December. Universities will be expected to move almost all teaching online by the end of those seven days so students can study from home. The aim is to spread out and carefully manage their departure to avoid a sudden exodus. The test is not mandatory but will allow any students who test positive on 9th December to isolate for 14days and still be home in time for Christmas. The Government is committed to a return to universities in January when there may be a rapid test to ensure students a safe return in January.
Read the full story on the BBC
Restaurants, pubs and cafes will get automatic freedoms to?provide takeaway services?for?another year, Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick has announced today (11 November 2020). ???
The measures help give these businesses the confidence they need to continue to serve customers and retain their staff. It will also help them adapt to longer-term changes they may wish to introduce, such as serving their customers from market stalls.? From March, businesses could offer a takeaway service during the pandemic, without having to go through a planning application process. This was due to end on?23 March 2021 but will now be extended by another year. The government will also consider whether to make these reforms permanent. The freedoms introduced in March and extended today mean pubs and restaurants can focus on selling food takeaways if they choose to, while being able to return to operating as a pub or restaurant from 2 December. The government also helped businesses offer more alfresco dining by making it easier and less expensive to get an outdoor seating licence and is similarly keeping this under review. Under the national restrictions currently in place, markets can sell takeaways from stalls. However, the stalls must not have seating areas.? These measures build on the extra government support provided to help businesses and protect jobs. Including an extension of the furlough scheme at 80% until the end of March, grants of up to £3,000 for premises that must close, and £1.1 billion for councils to enable them to support businesses in their area.??
Hancock calls on councils to deliver national rollout of new ‘lateral flow’ Covid tests
Stockport is among 67 local councils announced by Health Secretary Matt Hancock to offer the new quick turnaround Covid tests. The prime minister announced yesterday the government would be sending “hundreds of thousands of rapid lateral flow tests to local authorities right across England” in a bid to help reduce rates of transmission through mass testing. So far 67 councils, mainly in areas with high Covid infections rates, are to each receive a batch of 10,000 tests for deployment as directors of public health see fit after responding to a government call for volunteers that closed just over two weeks’ ago. These include all of the councils in Greater Manchester.
Rolls-Royce leads consortium to deliver 6,000 jobs
A new consortium led by Rolls-Royce says it will create 6,000 regional jobs over the next five years after revealing plans to build 16 mini nuclear power stations. The UK SMR consortium says it wants to build the small scale facilities over the next 20 years in an effort to help secure the UK’s net zero commitments affordably, revitalise its regional industrial base and secure exports of at least £250bn. Up to 80% (by value) of the power station components will be made in factories in the Midlands and North of England, before being transported to existing nuclear sites around the country for rapid assembly inside weatherproof canopies.
Read more at Business Desk
Graphic courtesy of BBC
National Restrictions Poster
Graphical poster displaying information about the national restrictions in England.
Slides to accompany coronavirus data briefing: 11 November
Slides on coronavirus presented by Professor Jonathan Van-Tam.
LOCAL / REGIONAL NEWS & UPDATES:
Greater Manchester’s leaders are calling on all businesses to make sure they have their say in two major public consultations to help shape the city-region’s final plans to tackle air pollution as part of efforts to build back cleaner and greener following the pandemic.
Tens of thousands of people have already engaged with the proposals – with over 40,000 finding out more about key elements of the Clean Air Zone (CAZ) and minimum standards for taxis and private hire vehicles licensed in the city-region online.
Businesses and people across the region still have several weeks to have their say on the consultations, which run until 11:59pm on Thursday 3 December 2020.
People can find out more and give their views at cleanairgm.com and gmtaxistandards.com, or request further support, including copies of consultation documents, on 0161 244 1100. In a first for Greater Manchester, the websites are hosting a virtual engagement space open 24/7 during the consultation period given government guidance around social distancing.
The virtual engagement area includes all the consultation materials and we’re running online drop-in sessions where people can ask the Clean Air team questions about the proposals from their computer, tablet or mobile phone. For businesses, the Clean Air team is also hosting a series of webinars, which offer a more detailed presentation and an opportunity to ask questions about the plans and funding packages being proposed.
Business webinars:
10-11am on Wednesday 18 November and 4-5pm on Thursday 26 November.
To find out more about the GM Clean Air Plan and how to sign-up to one of the webinars or have a question for the chat, visit cleanairgm.com.
Stockport College students among Student ‘Question Time’ for leading politicians
Schools and colleges across Greater Manchester, including Stockport College, got the opportunity to quiz the region’s leading politicians by video link at The Trafford College Group’s annual Student Question Time, organised to get young voices heard during UK Parliament Week. Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, Chairman of the Conservative backbench 1922 Committee Sir Graham Brady MP and Shadow Secretary of State for Education Kate Green MP from Labour joined the debate live on screen on Friday 6th November, using the same technology that saw The Trafford College Group awarded Microsoft Showcase College status for digital learning practices earlier this year. Hot topics up for discussion came from a British Youth Council shortlist voted for by students at the College Group over the previous week, ranging from whether colleges should close because of COVID to the impact of the virus on homelessness. Last year a similar poll resulted in more votes from Trafford College than any other educational establishment in the borough.
Electricity North West and Citizens Advice have joined forces to help provide crucial support for those who need a little extra help this Winter.
Stockport-based power network operator, Electricity North West, has partnered with Citizens Advice to provide support for those affected by fuel poverty this Winter.
The £500,000 partnership will start immediately to support the region’s communities for the next two years in the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic. Electricity North West’s ‘Be Winter Ready’ campaign aims to help thousands of people with free energy efficiency advice and support in managing fuel bills.
Four Seasons creates 80 roles in the North West
Wilmslow-based national care home provider has created 1,000 jobs as part of a “refresh” of its services in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Four Seasons Health Care has created the jobs at its 140 homes throughout England and Scotland, including 80 roles available in the region.
Lockdown reports and seizures expose illegal tobacco market
Cheap tobacco sold locally as “duty-free” during the Coronavirus pandemic is almost certainly illegal, enforcement officers in Greater Manchester have warned.
The alert comes after a public campaign led to a dramatic increase in reports of illegal sales which has enabled Trading Standards to make a number of seizures over recent months. The Keep it Out campaign, which reveals the true cost of ‘cheap’ illegal tobacco in our neighbourhoods, including links to organised crime and the devastating impact smoking has on people’s health, is run by Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership, in collaboration with Local Authority Trading Standards and enforcement partners from across the city region.
In Stockport, the campaign generated a 100% increase in reports of illegal tobacco being sold in the metropolitan borough over the past year [1]. Across Greater Manchester over 300,000 illegal cigarettes and more than 100 kg of illegal hand rolling tobacco were seized in March to September 2020.
Alongside their warning, enforcement officers have issued a dramatic new video showing a raid of a Greater Manchester shop on 12 May 2020 where illegal tobacco was being sold ‘under the counter’. The footage shows enforcement officers gaining entry and discovering a large volume of illegal cigarettes and hand rolling tobacco hidden in a locked room that was connected to the counter via an adjacent secret hatch.
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.
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:
Lenders to offer BBLS top-up
Lenders participating in the Bounce Back Loan Scheme (BBLS) are now able to extend their offering. From this week, smaller businesses will have access to a top-up to their existing loan if they originally borrowed less than the maximum amount available. This will be provided by several large lenders, with others anticipated to make the offer available in due course. The BBLS is one of three core government-backed coronavirus lending schemes, with the others being the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme and the Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme. Millions of companies have been backed.
New Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme guidance is now available on GOV?.UK
From today, Wednesday 11th November, businesses may apply for CJRS Wednesday??? for periods from 1 ?November. You will need to submit any claims for November by 14?? ?December. What’s new in the support available:
- CJRS has been extended to 31 ?March 2021 for all parts of the UK. From 1 November, the UK Government will pay 80% of employees’ usual wages for the hours not worked, up to a cap of £2,500 per month. This will be reviewed in January.
- You and your employees do not need to have benefited from the scheme before to claim for periods from 1 November. Go to GOV????.UK for the full eligibility criteria.
- HMRC intends to publish details of employers who use the scheme for claim periods from December, and employees will be able to find out if their employer has claimed for them under the scheme.
- There are now monthly deadlines for claims. Claims for periods starting on/after 1 November must be submitted within 14 calendar days after the month they relate to, unless this falls on a weekend in which case the deadline is the next weekday. For further details go to GOV????.UK and search ‘Claim for wages through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme’.
- The Job Retention Bonus will no longer be paid in February??? ?2021 and an alternative retention incentive will be put in place at the appropriate time.
- The launch of the Job Support Scheme has also been postponed.
Check if your employer can use the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
Find out if you’re eligible, and how much your employer can claim if they put you on temporary leave (‘furlough’) because of coronavirus (COVID-19). The scheme has been extended. This guidance has been updated with details of how to claim for periods after 1 November 2020. 30 November 2020 is the last day employers can submit or change claims for periods ending on or before 31 October 2020.
Check which employees you can put on furlough to use the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
Find out which employees you can put on furlough and claim for through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.
Claim for wages through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
The scheme has been extended. This guidance has been updated with details of how to claim for periods after 1 November 2020. 30 November 2020 is the last day employers can submit or change claims for periods ending on or before 31 October 2020.
Find examples to help you calculate your employees’ wages
Check examples to help you calculate your employee’s wages, National Insurance contributions and pension contributions if you’re claiming through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.
Calculate how much you can claim using the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
Calculate how much you have to pay your furloughed employees for hours on furlough and how much you can claim back now the scheme has been extended.
Steps to take before calculating your claim using the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
Find out what steps you need to take before you calculate how much you can claim for furloughed and flexibly furloughed employees.
Other types of employees you can claim for
Find out if you can claim through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme for different types of employees. Section 3 ‘Company directors with an annual pay period’ has been updated.
Pay Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme grants back
Find out how to pay all or some of your grant back if you’ve overclaimed, or if you do not need the grant and want to make a voluntary repayment.
Help employers apply for a Kickstart Scheme grant (Kickstart gateway)
Information for organisations who want to be a Kickstart gateway and help employers apply for the Kickstart Scheme. Requests to be added to the Kickstart gateway list will no longer be accepted after 16 November 2020. Kickstart gateways can submit a Kickstart Scheme grant application even if they’re not on the list.
Baroness Dido Harding’s speech to the CBI Annual Conference
Baroness Dido Harding talks about the achievements of NHS Test and Trace, and the focus to improve the service so that we’re better able to live with COVID through the winter and beyond.
Check if you can claim back Statutory Sick Pay paid to employees due to coronavirus (COVID-19)
If you’re an employer, find out if you can use the Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme to claim back employees’ coronavirus-related Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) – updated for employees who have been advised by letter to shield because they’re clinically extremely vulnerable.
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:
NHS COVID-19 app: privacy information
Privacy notice and data protection impact assessment for the NHS COVID-19 mobile app.
CONSTRUCTION:
Redrow receives 800 applications for construction degree
The house builder revealed that more than 800 people applied for places this summer when the course was opened-up to non-employees for the first time. The degree programme is run in partnership with Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) and Coleg Cambria with students splitting their time between studying and working in one of Redrow’s divisions across England and Wales.
EDUCATION:
Higher education: reopening buildings and campuses
How higher education (HE) providers can minimise risk, and information about NHS test and trace channels – added guidance on student movement and plans for the end of term.
Early years foundation stage statutory framework (EYFS)
The standards that school and childcare providers must meet for the learning, development and care of children from birth to 5 – amended the content on early years foundation stage coronavirus dis-applications to reflect the updated arrangements that were put in place from 26 September 2020, and national restrictions.
Attendance in education and early years settings during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
Attendance in education settings since Monday 23 March and early years settings since Thursday 16 April – added ‘Attendance in education and early years settings during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak: 23 March to 5 November 2020’.
Attendance in education and early years settings during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak: 23 March to 5 November 2020
A summary of attendance in education settings since Monday 23 March and early years settings since Thursday 16 April 2020.
ENVIRONMEMT:
COVID-19 regulatory position statements
Environment Agency regulatory response to coronavirus (COVID-19).
HEALTH, CARE & WELLBEING:
COVID-19: guidance on shielding and protecting people defined on medical grounds as extremely vulnerable
Information for shielding and protecting people defined on medical grounds as extremely vulnerable from COVID-19 – updated information on the extension of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (on furlough).
Mental Capacity (Amendment) Act 2019: Liberty Protection Safeguards (LPS)
Legislation and guidance on the Liberty Protection Safeguards (LPS) and the latest information on progress towards their implementation.
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.
Updated lists of devices that have received exceptional use authorisations and those that are no longer covered
Coronavirus and the social impacts on disabled people in Great Britain: October 2020
Indicators from the Opinions and Lifestyle on the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on disabled people in Great Britain.
HOSPITALITY:
Boost for restaurants, pubs and cafes as Jenrick extends takeaway services
Restaurants, pubs and cafes will get automatic freedoms to?provide takeaway services?for?another year.
LOCAL AUTHORITY:
Local Restrictions Support Grants (LRSG) and Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG): guidance for local authorities
This is guidance for local authorities on paying grants to support businesses during the November to December 2020 national lockdown and periods of local restrictions. Local Restrictions Support Grant strands and the Additional Restrictions Grant explained.
MILITARY:
Tri-service regulations for expenses and allowances (JSP 752)
JSP 752 is the policy document for expenses and allowances for regular and reserve UK armed forces personnel.
COVID Support Force: the MOD’s continued contribution to the coronavirus response
Military personnel are supporting public services across the UK to assist with the response to COVID-19. This page has the latest information on the MOD’s activities.
PROPERTY:
Will Covid-19 change how residential property is used and located?
A new report from international law firm Withers claims that Covid-19 is accelerating rapid change in what people want from their homes and how housing developments are designed. The report, featuring insight from fifteen world-leading real estate, business and investment experts, discusses the impact of the pandemic on how residential properties are used, and where they are located. An increased demand for more flexible living space, a greater focus on a home’s locality and nearby amenities, a heightened aspiration for ‘community’ and a greater emphasis on more sustainable and environmentally-friendly construction methods are all key considerations that are driving a rapid shift in where and how new homes are developed in the post-Covid world, according to the experts.
Surveyors report slow-down in market
The first monthly market monitor to show activity in the housing market tailing off has appeared – and it says momentum has “slowed significantly.” The e.surv monthly house price index comes with a warning from director Richard Sexton: “House prices continued to rise month on month through October, however the momentum has slowed significantly. Between September and October, average house prices increased by 0.9 per cent, the slightest monthly increase since prices began to rise in June this year.”
TRAVEL:
Greece ready to bounce back with help of UK Tourism
Speaking during WTM Virtual, Harry Theoharis, Greece’s tourism minister, said he had “high expectations for 2021”.
“The UK tourism market will play a leading role in consolidating this goal and we will hold a series of workshops to which the UK market professionals will be invited to participate. At the same time, we believe the British market can support new destinations in other Greek regions, such as western Epirus with the airport of Aktion, the Peloponnese and the north Aegean. We will work with tour operators and travel agents in this direction.”
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 31st 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
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.
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 24th September
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
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 – 11th 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.
Stockport park unveils tribute to young community hero 
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