October 7th – Coronavirus News Updates:

NEW SURVEY

Latest UK data:

Positive tests: 530,113 have tested positive (+ 14,542 new cases)
Loss of life: *42,445 across all settings (+ 76 in last 24 hours)
Cases in Stockport: 595 cases 27 Sept – 3 Oct (+343 on previous week)
Cases in Stockport: 203 cases per 100,000 (England area average: 55)
Deaths in Stockport: 371 coronavirus-related registered to 29th September
Total cases in Stockport: 3,401 to 06 October (+156 on previous week)

*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.-1.6 and the growth rate range is +5% to +9% per day as of 2 October 2020.

Coronavirus cases in the UK: daily updated statistics
The latest number of coronavirus (COVID-19) tests, cases and deaths in the UK. The way deaths are reported is based on a 28-day limit between the date of a positive lab-confirmed test and date of death.

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

UK HEADLINES:

BREAKING: Greene King announce 800 job losses and closure of sites
Sky News is reporting that Greene King has begun a redundancy consultation with 800 employees and is looking to close 25 sites permanently following the fallout from the 10pm Covid curfew. In total 75 closures with approximately a third permanent.

Government invests in UK-developed antibody tests from UK Rapid Test Consortium
Health Minister Lord Bethell has announced the government has signed a deal with the UK Rapid Test Consortium (UK-RTC) for 1 million antibody tests

BBC: Patients’ access to vital NHS tests delayed by warehouse failures
Key NHS tests for conditions from cancer to coronavirus are under threat, after a supply chain failure at a major diagnostics company. Swiss pharmaceutical firm Roche said problems with a move to a new warehouse had led to a “very significant” drop in its processing capacity. A spokesman said Covid-19 tests would be prioritised, but it could take two weeks to fix the issue. But the backlog could affect tests including for cancer and heart disease. One NHS trust has already advised its GPs to stop all non-urgent blood tests.

BBC: Tesco profits surge as online orders double
Supermarket giant Tesco has seen first-half profits rise by more than a quarter as customers bought more food during the pandemic and online orders doubled.
Pre-tax profit for the 26 weeks to 29 August was £551m, 28.7% up on 2019.

It is Tesco’s first set of results under its new chief executive, Ken Murphy, who started last week. With more customers turning to online shopping, Tesco more than doubled delivery capacity to 1.5 million slots a week during the first half, including serving 674,000 vulnerable customers.

Nick Triggle, BBC correspondent opinion: What’s the risk of the NHS being overwhelmed?
Hospitals in England have seen the number of new admissions jump by a quarter in just one day. During the spring, the threat of the NHS being overwhelmed was one of the prime reasons the UK went into lockdown. So how well-prepared is the health service for the second wave? Hospital cases are still low. The rise in infections in the community is now clearly translating into new cases being admitted to hospital. But we are still a long way from the peak. The increase in admissions means there are now nearly 3,000 patients in hospital with Covid. That represents about 3% of hospital beds. But given the reduced amount of activity – latest figures suggest only about half the number of routine operations are being done than was the case before the pandemic – there is still plenty of available space. The latest occupancy figures suggest there were around 30,000 beds unoccupied across the UK in the summer – three times as many as was normally the case before the pandemic hit.

LOCAL / REGIONAL NEWS & UPDATES:

Stockport Jobs Match launch campaign for Christmas & Seasonal Temp Work

Stockport Jobs Match, an online recruitment portal to match job seekers with vacancies, is launching a campaign to fulfil a surge in demand to fill vacancies in the run-up to Christmas. Despite the challenges that coronavirus is currently impacting on our lives, there are over 60 seasonal job opportunities available in Stockport for those looking for paid employment in the run up to Christmas.

If you’ve recently been made redundant or find yourself looking for additional hours to top up your income through the busy period, there’s still plenty of choice available, particularly within retail, hospitality and logistics.
Read more

BREAKING: BT to bring thousands of jobs to North West
BT Group has said it will bring thousands of jobs to Manchester with the announcement of a new “primary home” in the city. The telecoms giant says the Four New Bailey scheme, close to the Spinningfields business district will become a “key hub” with the capacity for up to 2,000 staff – more than four times the current number based in Manchester.
Read more at Business Live

Greater Manchester Police issued over 400 fines for Covid breaches over weekend
In Heaton Moor, Stockport officers attended a wedding reception where around 60 people were in attendance. An Fixed Penalty Notice was issued at this incident. Greater Manchester Police has now issued at total of 400 Fixed Penalty Notices for breaches of Covid 19 legislation following a busy weekend for officers. 85 FPNs were issued between Friday to Sunday, with incidents including a birthday party in Bolton with 30 people in attendance. Eight FPNs were issued at this incident. In Heaton Moor, Stockport officers attended a wedding reception where around 60 people were in attendance. An FPN was issued at this incident.
Read more at About Manchester

Greater Manchester night-time economy advisor warns sector could perish
Sacha Lord has warned that without Government intervention, the night-time economy will perish saying the current situation is an “existential threat” to the £70bn sector and is calling for the introduction of a sector-specific support package. “45 per cent of businesses in the sector will be making more than 60 per cent of their workforce redundant imminently as a result of the Winter Economy Plan and current restrictions”, according to the Night Time Industries Association.
Read more at Insider Read Sacha’s recommendations on Business Live

Stockport Council Award for Best Public Health Improvement at the MJs
The award recognised the invaluable support the Victoria Intensive Project (VIP) had provided to individuals and the community. Rapid, targeted and able to respond to needs across multiple domains, VIP has led to a reduction in hospital attendance and improvements in health and wellbeing outcomes. Pam Smith, Chief Executive of Stockport Council, said: “From our colleagues in the NHS, the team at Greater Manchester Police, Stockport Homes and many others, the group is delivering a project that is having – and will continue to have – a really strong impact on the borough, both at an individual and community-wide level.”

Improvements to Cheadle have been boosted with a £500,000 grant from the government’s Town Fund.
Cheadle is among 101 towns across the country to benefit from this additional funding, after the Board submitted their proposals this summer. The early release of “accelerated funding” means that work can now begin on a number of projects, which will deliver long term economic and productivity growth to the town.

Stockport Council accepting applications from businesses for Kickstart Jobs Scheme
Earlier this month, further details were announced about the Government’s Kickstart Jobs Scheme. The Kickstart Scheme provides funding to employers to create 6-month job placements for 16 to 24 year olds. 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.

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.

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:

How different circumstances affect the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme
If you’re self-employed or member of a partnership find out how your circumstances can affect your eligibility for the scheme.

HMRC: Reminder and webinar updates to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

Changes to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme from 1?? October mean that employers will need to fund 20% of furloughed employees’ usual wages for the hours they do not work and continue to pay their National Insurance and pension contributions. The scheme closes on 31?? October and you will need to make any final claims on or before 3?0 November. You can ask questions during all live webinars using the on-screen text box. HMRC webinars are constantly updated to provide the latest government guidance on changes as they develop.

Make sure you have the latest information by joining the live webinar: Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme: an overview of the scheme, including flexible furloughing, examples of how to work out the amount you can claim and the changes for October. The latest information on the Job Retention Bonus, including how to check if your employees are eligible, when you can claim and what you need to do now to prepare.

If you haven’t been able to join the webinar about the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme, there are still some places available. 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

Working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19)
Find out how to make your workplace COVID-secure. Restaurants, pubs, bars and takeaway services – updated guidance on the operation of soft play and indoor play areas (section 2.1) and taking payment in licensed venues (section 2.2).

Treasury Direction made under Sections 71 and 76 of the Coronavirus Act 2020
Treasury Direction in relation to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and Job Retention Bonus.

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:

Coronavirus (COVID-19): Meeting with others safely (social distancing)
When seeing friends and family you do not live with you should meet in groups of 6 or less. In England, this limit of 6 includes children of any age.

COVID-19: guidance for the safe use of places of worship and special religious services and gatherings during the pandemic
Guidance to enable the safe reopening of places of worship for a broader range of activities and includes a checklist for special religious services and gatherings – updated the Special religious services and gatherings COVID-19 checklist – to incorporate changes in regulations, as they affect special religious services and gatherings, announced by the Prime Minister on 22 September 2020.

National COVID-19 surveillance reports
National COVID-19 surveillance reports, including weekly summary of findings monitored through various COVID-19 surveillance systems.
Added Contain framework lower tier local authority watchlist – maps by LSOA.

Community: Coronavirus helpline Stockport

CONSTRUCTION:

Industry leaders call for £10billion ‘Build Back Greener’ fund
The proposed Greener Regeneration Investment Fund (GRIF) would accelerate construction jobs for the next three years stimulating the post-Covid build back while delivering long-term benefits for communities. Research from the Construction Leadership Council argues the low-interest fund would leverage £30bn of investment from the private sector. The GRIF would overcome present funding shortcomings which favour assets over places; short term over long term; capital returns over holistic social betterment; and – crucially – successful economic locations over less prosperous areas, says the report.

Construction buyers report September Work Surge
Purchasing activity increased at the quickest pace for nearly five years as the bellwether IHS Markit/CIPS UK Construction Total Activity Index registered 56.8 in September up from 54.6 in August. Confidence about future prospects was also the brightest for seven months. House building led the way while the commercial sector also rebounded strongly as civil engineering activity fell for the second month running. Duncan Brock, Group Director at the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply said: “UK Construction took off in September, soaring ahead of both the manufacturing and service sectors in terms of output growth and recording the fastest rise in purchasing activity since October 2015.”

HEALTH, CARE & WELLBEING:

Stockport Council Award for Best Public Health Improvement at the MJs
The award recognised the invaluable support the Victoria Intensive Project (VIP) had provided to individuals and the community.

PPE portal: how to order COVID-19 personal protective equipment (PPE)
Eligible health and social care providers can order PPE through the portal to meet the increased need that has arisen as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic – updated information on pharmacy order limits.

PHE data series on deaths in people with COVID-19: technical summary
A summary of the PHE data series on deaths in people with COVID-19, outlining what the changes mean and how the data compare to other COVID-19 death data series.

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 updated The list also includes manufacturers whose exemption expired or was cancelled. This information will be listed for 2 months after expiry or cancellation.

HOSPITALITY:

BREAKING: Greene King announce 800 job losses and closure of sites
Sky News is reporting that Greene King has begun a redundancy consultation with 800 employees and is looking to close 25 sites permanently following the fallout from the 10pm Covid curfew. In total 75 closures with approximately a third permanent.

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.

PROPERTY:

Nearly £20billion of Capital waiting to invest in UK BTR sector
More than £19B of capital is looking to invest in UK build-to-rent residential schemes with planning permission, and the sector is set to see a record level of investment this year. In its 2020 Multifamily Housing report, broker Knight Frank said £2.7B has been invested in the UK BTR sector so far this year and it expects £4B to be invested overall in 2020, with £19B sat on the side-lines waiting to get in the game.
An investment of £4B this year would take the total invested in professionally managed UK residential to £41B. While this might sound like a big number, Knight Frank said BTR only represents 2% of the overall UK rental housing stock, which may indicate huge growth potential for the sector.
Read more at Bisnow Manchester

End of mortgage holiday – a disaster for many?
A new paper from a think tank warns that many low income owner occupiers risk losing their homes when the mortgage holiday arrangements end. Even with the Job Support Scheme replacing the furlough system, many could struggle to pay mortgages without reform to the support available, claims the Centre for Policy Studies. Despite a third of those in poverty being owner-occupiers, housing benefit only covers renters. Owners can only get help with their mortgage interest payments, and even then must wait nine months to qualify – and the whole amount is withdrawn if they take on any work at all.

TRAVEL:

Jet2 holidays suspend Canary Islands programme until start of November
Flights are slated to recommence from 1 November, which Jet2 said would be “subject to our new flying programme”. Also subject to Jet2’s flying schedule is a return to Turkey from 18 October, while the operator halted city break sales to Amsterdam, Barcelona and Lisbon on Monday (5 October). Jet2CityBreaks from Leeds Bradford to Amsterdam up to 25 November have been cancelled as well as Barcelona holidays from Birmingham and Glasgow. All city breaks to Lisbon have also axed.

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.

Become a Green Homes Grant Supplier II – Trustmark and PAS 2030
The new Green Homes Grant will give over 600,000 homeowners in England up to £10,000 to install insulation, heat pumps, draft proofing and more to help households cut energy bills. 100% of tradespeople taking part in the scheme must be registered with Trustmark, the only government-endorsed quality scheme for improvement works in and around a home. October 7^th 2020
Host and Speakers

Amy House, Low Carbon and Resource Efficiency Lead, GC Business Growth
David Pierpoint, Chief Executive, The Retrofit Academy
Nigel Donohue, Chief Executive Officer, Cavity Insulation Guarantee Agency

Booking Link: https://app.livestorm.co/the-growth-company/get-ready-to-become-a-green-homes-grant-supplier-ii-trustmark-and-pas-2030

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

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:

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.