November 26th: Coronavirus News Updates

DAILY STATISTICS

Latest UK data:

Positive tests: 1,538,794 have tested positive (+ 11,299 new cases)
Loss of life: *56,533 across all settings (+ 696 in last 24 hours)
Hospital admissions: 1,432 new admissions
Cases in Stockport: 612 cases 15 Nov to 21 Nov (-344 on previous week)
Cases in Stockport: 209 cases per 100,000 (England area average: 169)
Deaths in Stockport: 424 coronavirus-related registered to 13 November 
Total cases in Stockport: 10,257 to 23 November
R rate in England: 1.0–1.1

*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. The R number range for the UK is 1.0-1.1 and the growth rate range is 0% to +2% per day as of 20 November 2020.

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

Greater Manchester to return to Tier 3 level from December 2nd

All 10 boroughs of Greater Manchester are to be categorised under a more severe version of tier 3 than was being adhered to prior to Lockdown 2. (Here’s a link to the government’s postcode search tool)

In tier 3:

• you must not meet socially indoors or in most outdoor places with anybody you do not live with
• you must not socialise in a group of more than 6 in some other outdoor public spaces – rule of 6
• hospitality settings, such as bars (including shisha venues), pubs, cafes and restaurants are closed – they are permitted to continue sales by takeaway, click-and-collect, drive-through or delivery services.
• accommodation such as hotels, B&Bs, campsites, and guest houses must close.
• indoor entertainment and tourist venues must close. This includes:
  • indoor play centres and areas, including trampolining parks and soft play
  • casinos, bingo halls, bowling alleys and skating rinks
  • amusement arcades, adult gaming centres, laser quests and escape rooms
  • cinemas, theatres and concert halls
  • snooker halls
• indoor attractions at mostly outdoor entertainment venues must also close (indoor shops, through-ways and public toilets at such attractions can remain open). This includes indoor attractions within:
  • zoos, safari parks, and wildlife reserves, aquariums, visitor attractions at farms, and other animal attractions
  • model villages, museums, galleries and sculpture parks
  • botanical gardens, biomes or greenhouses
  • theme parks, circuses, fairgrounds and funfairs
  • visitor attractions at film studios, heritage sites such as castles and stately homes
  • landmarks including observation decks and viewing platforms
• leisure and sports facilities may continue to stay open, but group exercise classes (including fitness and dance) should not go ahead. Saunas and steam rooms should close
• there should be no public attendance at spectator sport or indoor performances and large business events should not be taking place. Elite sport events may continue to take place without spectators
• large outdoor events (performances and shows) should not take place, with the exception of drive-in events
• places of worship remain open, but you must not attend with or socialise with  anyone outside of your household or support bubble while you are there, unless a legal exemption applies
• weddings and funerals can go ahead with restrictions on the number of attendees – 15 people can attend wedding ceremonies, wedding receptions are not allowed, 30 people can attend funeral ceremonies, 15 people can attend linked commemorative events
• organised outdoor sport, and physical activity and exercise classes can continue, however higher-risk contact activity should not take place
• organised indoor sport, physical activity and exercise classes cannot take place indoors. There are exceptions for indoor disability sport, sport for educational purposes and supervised sport and physical activity for under-18s
• you can continue to travel to venues or amenities which are open, but should aim to reduce the number of journeys you make where possible
• avoid travelling to other parts of the UK, including for overnight stays other than where necessary, such as for work, education, youth services, to receive medical treatment, or because of caring responsibilities. You can travel through other areas as part of a longer journey
• for international travel see the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office travel advice for your destination and the travel corridors list

Decisions on which area goes into which tier are primarily based on 5 key epidemiological indicators:

• case detection rates in all age groups
• case detection rates in the over-60s
• the rate at which cases are rising or falling
• positivity rate (the number of positive cases detected as a percentage of tests taken)
• pressure on the NHS, including current and projected occupancy

The indicators are designed to provide a full picture of what is happening with the virus in any area so that suitable action can be taken. Find out more information on tiers, including what you can and cannot do in each tier.

Summary of Chancellor’s Statement on spending 2020/2021
In a spending review unveiled to the House of Commons on Wednesday, including  a further £100m allocation for British Business Bank’s Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund (NPIF) as part of his Spending Review, bringing the total for investment to more than £500m.

Mr Sunak said:

• £280bn has already been spent to get the country through the coronavirus crisis.  
• The OBR has forecast that the economy will contract 11.3 per cent in 2020, the largest fall in output for more than 300 years.
• The economy will start recovering, growing by 5.5 per cent in 2021, 6.6 per cent in 2022, then 2.3 per cent, 1.7 per cent and 1.8 per cent in the following years.
• The UK is set to borrow a total of £394bn this year, 19 per cent of GDP and the highest recorded level of borrowing in peacetime.
• Debt will also reach 97.5 per cent of GDP by 2025/6.
• A new UK infrastructure bank to be headquartered in the north.
• A £100bn infrastructure investment will focus on housing, broadband, mobile connectivity, roads and cycle lanes.
• A new “levelling up fund” worth £4bn to fund projects of up to £20m which must be delivered in the current Parliament and “command local support”.
• Nearly £3bn for a three-year restart programme to help more than one million people who have been without a job for more than a year find one.
• Unemployment will peak at 7.5 per cent next year, 2.6 million people likely to be out of work.
• A pay rise to more than one million nurses, doctors and others in NHS while rises in rest of public sector to be paused next year.
• Those on lower wages of below £24,000 will be guaranteed a pay rise of at least £250.
• Minimum wage will rise to £8.91 and be extend to people up to 26 years old, helping more than two million workers.
• An extra £3bn promised to the NHS in England to help tackle the backlog of operations delayed due to Covid.
• Departmental budgets will rise by 3.8 per cent, with spending totalling £540bn in 2020.
• A cut in the UK’s overseas aid budget to 0.5 per cent of national income, down from the legally binding target of 0.7 per cent. 
• An extra £2.4bn was also promised for the devolved administration in Scotland, £1.3bn in Wales and £300m in Northern Ireland.

Bidding starts in New Year for £4bn levelling up fund
Councils will be able to bid for project funding early next year from the Government’s new levelling up fund announced in the spending review.

The Government has committed £4bn to a new cross-departmental Fund for England. This will invest in local infrastructure that has a visible impact on people and their communities and will support economic recovery.
It has committed to release £600m in 2021-22 and will publish a prospectus for the fund and launch the first round of competitions in the New Year. Funding will be available for a broad range of high-value local projects up to £20m, including bypasses and other local road schemes, bus lanes, railway station upgrades, regenerating eyesores, upgrading town centres and community infrastructure, and local arts and culture.

LOCAL / REGIONAL NEWS & UPDATES:

Stockport SMEs asked to share views on EAP support for workers
Employers in Greater Manchester are being asked to share their views on Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs) to support staff with health and wellbeing in an online survey. Working Well Early Help, which offers support to people with a disability or health condition who are working, absent or newly unemployed, and was developed as an early intervention programme to support businesses with persistent absence and health challenges faced by staff. The organisation is now looking to hear from SME employers across the city-region to gauge support for pay-as-you-go EAP services in order to add to their support offer and reach a greater number of Greater Manchester businesses and workers.
Complete the survey here.

Have you had your say on the GM Clean Air Plan proposals yet?
There’s just one week left to have your say on Greater Manchester’s Clean Air plans Don’t leave it too late to give your views and help shape the final plan. The consultation closes at 11.59pm on Thursday 3 December.  People can feedback on key elements of the proposals to improve air quality across Greater Manchester. This includes a Category C charging Clean Air Zone – which government has instructed the GM authorities to introduce in 2022.  Want to ask the team a question?
If you have a question about the proposals the GM Clean Air Team are running a series of live chat drop-in sessions where anyone can ask questions about the proposals. The drop-in sessions are running every weekday until the end of the consultation. If you own or drive a van, heavy goods vehicle, taxi or private hire vehicle in Greater Manchester your vehicle could be affected by plans to introduce a Clean Air Zone in 2022. 
Have your say now
It can take as little as 10 minutes to complete but could make a big difference. Get involved and help clean up the air we all breathe. You can fill in the online questionnaire available at cleanairgm.com. However, there are many ways to respond to the consultation, including by email, over the phone by calling 0161 244 1100 or by post and we have telephone support for non-English speakers.
Have you seen the Greater Manchester taxi consultation?
A consultation on the proposed Greater Manchester Minimum Licensing Standards for taxis and private hire vehicles is also running until 11.59pm on 3 December 2020. The consultation asks about common standards for all taxi and private hire drivers, vehicles and operators licensed in Greater Manchester. The aim of the standards is to ensure a safe and high-quality service for everyone, every time. You still have time to have your say, by visiting gmtaxistandards.com.

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.
Updated with info for businesses to check on eligibility etc. to the new grants: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/financial-support-for-businesses-during-coronavirus-covid-19#support-for-businesses-affected-by-coronavirus-restrictions

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:  

1. For the period of being in Tier 3 from 23/10/20 to 04/11/20 – link to guidance and applications is here – https://www.stockport.gov.uk/support-for-businesses-and-employers 
2. 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

Payments made to those venues that were require to close in March 2020 and have remained closed since, e.g.: Nightclubs.  Payment will be made for the period 1^st to 4^th November.  Eligible businesses will be entitled to receive a National Lockdown grant from 5^th November 2020.

The Council’s Discretionary Grant Schemes for businesses are now open for applications.

There are two schemes available for eligible, qualifying businesses:

1. The Local Restrictions Support Grant (for open businesses), and;
2. The Additional Restrictions Grant (for the latest period of National Restrictions from 04/11/20 and 02/12/20)

Information about the grant schemes, eligibility and the online application form are available at this link – Discretionary Grant Schemes – Stockport Council

It is anticipated that there will be a high volume of applications and contacts to be processed so it will not be possible for members of the team to respond to individual enquiries at this time.”

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:  

Coronavirus and the latest indicators for the UK economy and society: 26 November 2020
Early experimental data on the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) on the UK economy and society. These faster indicators are created using rapid response surveys, novel data sources and experimental methods.

Tier posters: Medium, High and Very High
A series of posters displaying information about the various tiers of restrictions in England from 2 December 2020.

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: providing unpaid care to adults with learning disabilities and autistic adults
Guidance for people who are providing unpaid care to adults with learning disabilities and autistic adults during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak – updated to include relevant links to guidance on the local restriction tier system that will be in place in England from 2 December.

Making a Christmas bubble with friends and family
Meeting friends and family over the Christmas period – forming a Christmas Bubble.

COVID Winter Grant Scheme
Information on COVID Winter Grant Scheme funding to support vulnerable households.

EDUCATION:

Actions for schools during the coronavirus outbreak
What all schools will need to do during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak from the start of the autumn term.

Actions for schools during the coronavirus outbreak
What all schools will need to do during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak from the start of the autumn term – updated guidance to reflect the local restriction tiers.

HEALTH, CARE & WELLBEING:

Coronavirus (COVID-19): getting tested
Guidance on coronavirus testing, including who is eligible for a test and how to get tested – updated link for ‘book your courier collection’.

COVID-19: supporting adults with learning disabilities and autistic adults
Guidance for care staff who are supporting adults with learning disabilities and autistic adults during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak – updated to include relevant links to guidance on the local restriction tier system that will be in place in England from 2 December.

NHS Test and Trace statistics (England): methodology
How the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) puts together the contact-tracing data in its weekly reports – updated methodology for how contacts under 18 are reached and add further details on the different types of swab tests.

NHS Test and Trace (England) and coronavirus testing (UK) statistics: 12 November to 18 November
Experimental statistics for weeks 1 to 25 of NHS Test and Trace contact tracing in England and coronavirus testing (UK).

Self-declare as a private COVID-19 testing provider
How to declare that you meet the minimum standards for private-provided testing and be listed as a private sector coronavirus (COVID-19) testing provider.

HOSPITALITY & LEISURE:

Working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19)
Restaurants, pubs, bars and takeaway services – Added information on the new local restriction tiers and the COVID-19 Winter Plan. See the ‘What’s changed’ section for further information.

JUDICIARY:

HMCTS weekly operational summary on courts and tribunals during coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
This page provides a weekly summary of the HM Courts and Tribunals Service operational position during the coronavirus pandemic

PROPERTY:

Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Planning Inspectorate guidance – updated 26 November 2020
In response to the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19), The Planning Inspectorate has published guidance on site visits, hearings, inquiries and events – additional links to updated: procedural guidance, apply for rule 6 status guides and virtual events: guide to participating.

TRANSPORT:

Transport use during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic
To monitor the use of the transport system during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. DfT provides statistics on transport use by mode.

TRAVEL:

Testing to release for international travel: minimum standards for testing
Sets out the minimum standards that private sector providers of COVID-19 testing for ‘Testing to Release for International Travel’ must meet – added link to request to be added to the list of providers of ‘Testing to Release for International Travel’.

Immigration and border statistics relating to COVID-19
This page brings together documents relating to published statistics on the immigration system and passenger arrivals since the COVID-19 outbreak.

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:

COVID-19 Winter Plan
The government’s plan for managing COVID-19 through the end of 2020 and into the start of 2021.

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 you’re eligible for the coronavirus Additional Restrictions Grant
The Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) supports businesses that are not covered by other grant schemes or where additional funding is needed.

Check if you’re eligible for the coronavirus Local Restrictions Support Grant (for closed businesses)
The Local Restrictions Support Grant (LRSG (Closed)) supports businesses that have been required to close due to temporary local restrictions.

Check if you’re eligible for the coronavirus Local Restrictions Support Grant (for open businesses)
The Local Restrictions Support Grant (LRSG (Open)) supports businesses that have been severely impacted due to temporary local restrictions.

Check if your business is eligible for a coronavirus grant due to national restrictions (for closed businesses)
The Local Restrictions Support Grant (LRSG (Closed) Addendum supports businesses that have been required to close due to the national restrictions between 5 November and 2 December 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. Eligibility criteria has been made clearer for employees who are made redundant on or after 23 September 2020 and you have re-employed and employees that have a fixed term contract that expired after 23 September. The dates relating to TUPE eligibility have also been corrected.

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 24^th 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 – 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.