UK STATISTICS
There have been more than eight million confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK and more than 137,000 people have died, government figures show.
Total UK Cases: 8,046,390 positive tests
Latest UK daily figure: 40,071 new cases
Number in UK hospital: 6,817, 29 fewer than on previous day
New deaths across UK: 122
Total UK deaths: 137,417
England Cases per 100,000: 335
R number in UK: 0.8 to 1.0
Vaccine data:
Total 1st doses given: 49,068,705 – 90% of UK aged 16+
Total 2nd doses: 45,078,529 – 82%
Daily 1st doses: 32,828
Daily 2nd doses: 28,576
Latest Stockport data:
Total Stockport cases: 41,301 to 7 October
Cases in the latest week: 1,520, 10 more than previous week
Total deaths: 757 to September 24th
Cases per 100,000: 517 per 100,000 week ending 3 October
R number in North West: 0.8 – 1.0
Stockport vaccine data:
1st dose: 85% of over 12s to 6 October
2nd dose: 76%
The R value and growth rate
The latest reproduction number (R) and growth rate of coronavirus (COVID-19) – the R range for England is 0.8 to 1.1 and the growth rate range for England is -3% to +1% per day as of 1 October 2021.
Slides, datasets and transcripts to accompany coronavirus press conferences
Updated with slides to accompany coronavirus press conferences
UK NEWS UPDATES:
Hope for travel test changes could boost half-term international holidays
The transport secretary says he hopes to change the Covid tests people coming into the UK must take before families return from half-term holidays.
But Grant Shapps did not give a date for when expensive PCR tests would be swapped for cheaper lateral flow tests. Currently, fully vaccinated adults entering the UK must take a PCR test within two days of arriving. He also defended cutting the travel red list to seven countries, saying vaccines “massively reduced” the risks.
For many schools, the half-term holidays start on 22 October, with families going away on foreign trips. The transport secretary told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that he hoped the switch to lateral flow tests was in place “in time for people returning from a half-term-holidays potentially, and certainly by the end of October”.
Response to travel test changes from MAG CEO, Charlie Cornish:
“This is brilliant news for British people who are desperate to travel overseas on holiday, to visit friends and family or for business.
“Customers can now book with confidence, safe in the knowledge that testing is affordable and easy to understand.
“Removing so many countries from the red list gives people the most choice they have had since before the pandemic, which will help stimulate the recovery of the UK’s prized aviation sector.
“We look forward to welcoming passengers taking advantage of these changes through our airports in the weeks and months ahead.”
Energy prices: Significant rises to come, says regulator Ofgem
Households will again see “significant rises” in energy prices next spring, regulator Ofgem has warned. Its chief executive, Jonathan Brearley, said the price cap, which limits how much energy providers can charge per unit, would go up again because of the “unprecedented” rise in gas prices. The cap is revised twice a year and is next due to be changed in April. Natural gas prices are at record highs as economies around the world begin to recover from the Covid crisis. As a result, firms that supply gas to householders are running into trouble because they have agreed to sell energy at less than the price it now costs them to buy it. Last month, nine of those companies went out of business, forcing 1.7 million customers to move to new suppliers.
Starter salaries rise at fastest rate in 24 years
Starting salaries and temporary staff wages have risen at the sharpest rate for 24 years, a survey suggests. Robust demand for staff is being fuelled by rising economic activity, said KPMG and the Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC). At the same time, there are fewer candidates for jobs, driving big increases in starting pay. There is strong demand for jobs in sectors including IT staff hotels and catering. A survey of 400 recruitment firms found the number of people available for jobs has fallen to a near-record low.
REGIONAL & LOCAL NEWS:
Adidas Stockport HQ sees sales rise due to post-Covid online sales
Turnover is expected to rise past 2020’s total of more than £1bn at the UK arm of Adidas because of the post-Covid shift to online sales. The division, which is headquartered in Stockport, added that the increase in demand for sports-inspired apparel and footwear is a positive for the industry. The update has been included in newly-filed documents to Companies House for the company’s full-year to December 31, 2020.
Online sales bring 100% increase in pre-tax profits for North-West fashion retailer
N Brown Group, the Manchester-based online fashion and homeware retailer, doubled half year profits during a strong six-month period for its strategic brands, it reported today. The owner of the JD Williams, Simply Be, Ambrose Wilson and Jacamo brands issued results for the six months to August 28, which showed revenues virtually static, at £346.8m, but a 100% increase in pre-tax profits of £28.2m. The group’s five strategic brands grew product revenue 14.9% as the benefits of the group’s transformation accelerate, it said.
Winters clock chimes back to former glory
The Winter’s building’s iconic clock is now chiming again in Stockport town centre following a sensitive restoration as part of works to bring the site back into use.
The original clock was manufactured by Sainsbury Brothers, Walthamstow, who were established in 1734. There are only a small number of this type of clock still operated by a mechanical clock movement left in the UK, and these can be found at Norwich Cathedral, Wells Cathedral, Wimborne Minster and St Dunstan’s in West, London. Over the past six months the clock has undergone a painstaking restoration by specialists The Cumbria Clock Company. This has involved dismantling the clock and cleaning and repairing all the components off site before re-instating them at the historic building. The three figures that give the clock great horological importance – a soldier, sailor and father time, have also been refurbished in a palate of vivid and striking colours, staying true to the original colours which have faded over the years.
Virtual careers week explains post-16 options for Stockport’s young people
Young people in Stockport will have the opportunity to learn about post-16 further education, training and career opportunities with the region’s top employers during a week of careers events. Stockport Jobs Match’s Post-16 Careers Week is a virtual exhibition taking place from 11th to 15th October for young people aged 14-19+ in the borough. www.stockport-jobsmatch.co.uk
SECTOR SPECIFIC CORONAVIRUS-RELATED NEWS:
COMMUNITY:
Private providers of coronavirus (COVID-19) testing
Lists of and information about private providers who have self-declared that they meet the government’s minimum standards for the type of commercial COVID-19 testing service they offer.
Coronavirus and the social impacts on Great Britain: 8 October 2021
Indicators from the Opinions and Lifestyle Survey to understand the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on people, households and communities in Great Britain.
HEALTH & WELLBEING:
Public urged “more important than ever” to take up flu vaccines this winter
The public are being reminded to come forward for their flu jab to maximise their protection ahead of winter. Health officials are worried because this will be the first winter Covid and flu circulate fully at the same time. Research shows those infected with both viruses are more than twice as likely to die as someone with Covid alone.
More than 40 million people across the UK – 35 million in England – are being offered a jab this year in the biggest flu vaccination campaign so far.
And this includes, for the first time, all secondary-school children up to the age of 16.
Weekly statistics for NHS Test and Trace (England)
Experimental statistics from the NHS Test and Trace service and related documents.
National flu and COVID-19 surveillance reports published
Weekly national influenza and COVID-19 report, monitoring coronavirus (COVID-19) activity, seasonal flu and other seasonal respiratory illnesses.
TRAVEL:
Data informing international travel risk assessments
Summaries to date of the key data used by the Joint Biosecurity Centre (JBC) to inform international travel risk assessments.
Approved COVID-19 vaccines and countries with approved COVID-19 proof of vaccination
Approved vaccines and the list of countries and territories with approved COVID-19 proof of vaccination for travel to England – 37 countries and territories will be added to this list at 4am on 11 October 2021.
Red list of countries and territories
Check the COVID-19 testing and quarantine rules for countries and territories on the red list for international travel to England – 47 countries and territories will be removed from the red list at 4am Monday 11 October 2021.
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.
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.
Brexit Webinars:
Exporting: Actions you need to take now: An overview of the actions you need to take now before you export goods from Great Britain to the EU and move goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Key processes include – staged border controls, zero-rated VAT, customs declaration, using an intermediary as well as licences, certificates, and authorisations. Please register to take part if you’re planning to export.
Trader responsibilities when using an intermediary: You now need to complete import or export declarations to trade goods with the EU. These are complex and a lot of businesses choose to use an intermediary to do these for them. This webinar explains your responsibilities as a trader if you choose to use an intermediary. Please register to take part if you’re planning to import or export.
What are customs import declarations?: If you import goods, you now need to make customs import declarations on controlled goods and all goods by the end of June. This webinar will help you understand what they are in more detail. This includes what is needed for simplified declarations, supplementary declarations, how to make them, and delayed import declarations. Please register to take part if you’re planning to import.
Importing: Staged controls and how to prepare to use them: This webinar will walk you through the three stages of the new border controls introduced on 1?? ?January?? ?2021, and what actions you need to take for each stage. Please register to take part if you’re planning to import.
LATEST LINKS:
Repayment period for Bounce Back Loans extended to ten years
Businesses that took out government Bounce Back loans to help them through the Coronavirus crisis now have more time to repay. Companies will be contacted with options to extend the length of the loan from six to 10 years as part of a new ‘pay-as-you-grow’ initiative. The new proposals give businesses three new options:
1. Extending the length of the loan from six years to 10;
2. Making interest-only payments for six months, then repaying the principal on a phased basis with other interest-only periods;
3. Delaying repayments entirely for up to six months.
Financial support for businesses during coronavirus (COVID-19)
Pay VAT deferred due to coronavirus (COVID-19)
Find out how to pay VAT payments deferred between 20 March and 30 June 2020.
Report an outbreak of Coronavirus in Stockport:
https://www.stockport.gov.uk/coronavirus-in-stockport/report-a-coronavirus-outbreak
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.
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.
Kickstart Scheme
The Kickstart Scheme provides funding to employers to create job placements for 16 to 24 year olds.
Kickstart Scheme terms and conditions
Kickstart Scheme terms and conditions for employers and gateways receiving the Kickstart Scheme grant from the Department for Work and Pensions.
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.
Visit the Stockport Council website to report details of any outbreaks online.
https://www.stockport.gov.uk/coronavirus-in-stockport/report-a-coronavirus-outbreak
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.
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.
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
Stockport Council’s FREE job matching website helps 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
Stockport Council – Health & Mental Well-being https://www.stockport.gov.uk/showcase/coronavirus
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.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
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
Business Growth Hub:
www.businessgrowthhub.com/coronavirus https://www.businessgrowthhub.com/coronavirus/resources/2020/03/coronavirus-business-support-webinar-series
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. Health updates:
Health – updates from NHS
https://www.england.nhs.uk/news/
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.
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.
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