UK STATISTICS
Total UK Cases: 7,339,009 positive tests
Latest UK daily figure: 26,911 new cases
Number in UK hospital: 8,339 , 13 fewer than on previous day
New deaths across UK: 158
Total UK deaths: 134,805
England Cases per 100,000: 267
R number in UK: 0.9 to 1.1
Vaccine data:
Total 1st doses given: 48,503,181 – 89% of UK aged 16+
Total 2nd doses: 44,248,150 – 81%
Daily 1st doses: 23,003
Daily 2nd doses: 59,404
There have been nearly 7.3 million confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK and more than 134,000 people have died, government figures show. However, these figures include only people who have died within 28 days of testing positive for coronavirus. More than 92m vaccine doses have been received across the UK. 89% of people aged 16 and over have now had their first dose of a coronavirus vaccine and over 44 million, 81% aged 16 and over have had their second.
Latest Stockport data:
Total Stockport cases: 36,827 to 16 September
Cases in the latest week: 1,061, 98 fewer than previous week
Total deaths: 751 to September 3rd
Cases per 100,000: 361 per 100,000 week ending 12 September
R number in North West: 0.9 – 1.1
Stockport vaccine data:
1st dose: 85% of over 16s to 13 September
2nd dose: 79%
The R value and growth rate
The latest reproduction number (R) and growth rate of coronavirus (COVID-19) – the R range for England is 0.9 to 1.1 and the growth rate range for England is -2% to +2% per day as of 03 September 2021.
Slides, datasets and transcripts to accompany coronavirus press conferences
Updated with slides to accompany coronavirus press conferences
Slides to accompany coronavirus press conference: 14 September 2021
Slides on coronavirus presented by Professor Chris Whitty, Chief Medical Officer for England.
UK NEWS UPDATES:
Businesses struggling to fill vacancies with hospitality sector among worst affected
With the number of job vacancies at a record high, some industries are experiencing difficulty in recruiting new staff. A lack of EU applications is a major contributing factor especially in the areas of care, transport & logistics, storage and hospitality who are more than twice as likely to face challenges in filling vacancy expectations at this time of year. In the last week of August / first week in September, 30% of hospitality businesses reported a lack of applicants; this compares with 13% across all industries (up from 9% in early August). Businesses with 10+ employees struggled to fill vacancies in late August, up from 32% earlier in the month. The water (27%) and health (23%) industries were finding it more difficult to fill roles.
Read the full ONS article here
Government announces plans for regulatory reforms following EU departure
The UK government has established plans for how it will reform regulatory legislation following the country’s departure from the European Union (EU). Minister of State at the Cabinet Office, Lord Frost, announced plans yesterday (16th September) to review rules and regulations inherited from the EU to ensure they remain in the interests of the UK economy and drive innovation. In the coming weeks, proposals are expected to be set out for reviewing ‘Retained EU Law,’ particularly pertaining to maintaining the UK’s position as a centre for innovation and technology in a number of key areas including:
- Artificial intelligence and future technologies in transport, such as autonomous marine vessels and self-driving cars and drones
- Gene-edited organisms for more sustainable and efficient farming
- Digitisation of documents, including driving licenses, trade documents and share certificates
- Clinical trial frameworks and medical devices regulations
ONS: Long Covid less common than feared
One in 40 people with coronavirus has symptoms lasting at least three months, Office for National Statistics figures suggest. In April, an ONS report put the proportion at about one in every 10. The latest, large and comprehensive analysis suggests long Covid may be less common than previously thought. But the condition is not fully understood and still has no universally agreed definition, leading to different studies producing different figures. The latest ONS analysis asked people who had tested positive for coronavirus and those who had not. About 3% of people in the study who had tested positive had at least one of the symptoms for at least three months after infection. Among those who had not tested positive, that proportion was 0.5%, meaning one in every 40 infected people had their coronavirus symptoms last for three months or longer.
Government expected to simplify travel rules
Changes to the rules on international tavel are expected to be announced by the UK government later. Ministers are considering scrapping the requirement for double-jabbed people returning to the UK to take PCR tests. The traffic light system could also be simplified, with the amber list removed entirely. Any changes would apply to England initially, as the UK’s devolved administrations are in charge of their own travel rules. Meanwhile, the Guardian and the Times have reported that dozens of countries will be removed from the red list – the highest level of alert for international travel which means returning travellers must spend 11 nights in hotel quarantine at a cost of £2,285. There are currently 62 countries on that list.
Mortality rate lowest among double vaccinated
Weekly age-standardised mortality rates (ASMRs) for deaths involving coronavirus (COVID-19) are lower for those who have received two vaccine doses than those who have received one dose or are unvaccinated. ASMRs account for differences in population size and age of the vaccination status groups over time. In people who received their second dose at least 21 days before their date of death, 0.8% of all deaths involved COVID-19. Over one-third (37.4%) of all deaths in unvaccinated people involved COVID-19. A death involving COVID-19 occurring in someone who has received both vaccine doses, and had a first positive PCR test at least 14 days after the second vaccination dose, is known as a “breakthrough death”. In total, there were 256 breakthrough deaths between 2 January and 2 July 2021. Deaths involving COVID-19 are consistently lower for people who have received two vaccinations
REGIONAL & LOCAL NEWS:
Lookers launches major drive to recruit 100 technicians in UK and Ireland
Lookers Kia and Dacia Stockport are part of the car retailer and aftersales group, Lookers plc, seeking to recruit 100 technicians across its UK & Ireland network.
With over 100 years’ experience in the automotive industry, Lookers employs almost 7,000 staff. The fresh recruitment drive will offer tech-savvy and innovatively minded applicants a basic salary ranging from £26,000 to £40,000 and uncapped bonus opportunities plus ongoing, best-in-class skills development, training and flexible working in a collaborative, team-focused environment. Other benefits include access to health and wellbeing support and enhanced maternity and paternity allowances.
MEN: Covid infection rates drop in nine Greater Manchester boroughs
In Greater Manchester as a whole, the infection rate is now 309.2 cases per 100,000 population, higher than the national average of 287.3 cases per 100,000 people.
There were 1,061 positive tests over the last week in Stockport, 98 fewer than in the previous week. The week-on-week trend in Stockport is down by eight per cent and the latest infection rate is 360.6 cases per 100,000 people.
Greater Manchester business adopts 4-day week after successful trial
A firm has adopted a four-day working week across the entire business after its trial period proved to be an “overwhelming success”. Greater Manchester-based Belmont Packaging, which specialises in plain and printed corrugated cardboard packaging solutions, has joined a growing trend of businesses adopting the new approach to working. Belmont and its e-commerce business, Boxed-Up, began trialling the four-day working week in their manufacturing department in late 2019 with the aim of “giving staff more time to focus on themselves, their mental health and their loved ones”.
A new weekly Covid-19 vaccination clinic offers Stockport residents additional walk-in and booked appointments four days a week.
The Stockport pharmacy will run the vaccination clinics at Trinity Church on Bramhall Lane (SK3 8TP) 8am to 8pm on Thursdays and Fridays; 8am to 6pm on Saturdays; and 8am to 4pm on Sundays.
Kickstart Jobs Fair at Stockport Central Library.
The event takes place on Wednesday 22nd September from 12pm until 3pm, at Stockport’s Central Library on Wellington Road South in the town centre.
Stockport Employers and Exhibitors invited to attend virtual careers fair
The Virtual Careers Fair & Exhibition will be delivered between 11th and 15th October alongside a range of activities and resources in schools and colleges across Stockport.
SECTOR SPECIFIC CORONAVIRUS-RELATED NEWS:
BUSINESS:
HMRC: Are you re-opening your business, or planning to do so shortly?
If you’re bringing back your employees part time, you can claim furlough flexibly for them under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS), part of the UK Government’s Plan for Jobs. Claims for August are now closed; if you need to make a change because you didn’t claim enough you can do this until 28?? ?September.
You can continue to claim for September until 14?? ?October.
For the latest information, you can choose between attending one of our live webinars, or watch a recorded version on our YouTube channel. The recorded version contains all the information covered in the live webinar, as well as more in-depth coverage of the scheme, including who can claim, who you can claim for, how to calculate your claim, how to claim, and bringing back your employees from furlough. The live webinar is tailored for those of you familiar with the scheme who are preparing for getting back to business; you can also ask questions using the on-screen text box, although we can’t discuss personal circumstances – Register here You’ll be able to download some useful handouts and we’ll also send you a link to a recording after the live webinar. If you’re a small or medium-sized employer with fewer than 250 employees, you may also be eligible for the Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme, which closes on the 30?? ?September?? ?2021 – although you’ll be able to submit your claims until 31?? ?December. Our recorded webinar is available on HMRC’s YouTube channel as usual; this includes further guidance on the scheme, including who you can claim for, how to claim and what you may be entitled to. You can also read the updated guidance on GOV??.UK. To find out what other financial support may be available for you and your business as part of the UK Government’s Plan for Jobs, search ‘find coronavirus financial support’ on GOV??.UK. We’ll continue to review our webinars to give the most up-to-date information, and welcome your feedback at the end of the session too.
Working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19)
Find out how to reduce the risk of COVID-19 spreading in your workplace – shops, branches, and close contact services – Minor updates to sections on face coverings and working from home, in line with the government’s autumn and winter plan.
COVID-19: ventilation of indoor spaces to stop the spread of coronavirus
Guidance on the ventilation of indoor spaces to stop the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).
Resources for raising awareness about COVID Pass fraud
Resources for raising awareness about COVID Pass fraud and how to get your free NHS COVID Pass.
COMMUNITY:
Excess mortality in English regions
Excess mortality by English region – broken down by age, sex, upper tier local authority, ethnic group, level of deprivation, cause of death and place of death.
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.
COVID-19 vaccination: what to expect after vaccination
Information for people who have had their first COVID-19 vaccination.
EDUCATION:
COVID-19 vaccination: resources for schools
COVID-19 vaccination guidance and resources for schools – added details of leaflets available.
HEALTH & WELLBEING:
Confirmed cases of COVID-19 variants identified in UK
Latest updates on SARS-CoV-2 variants detected in UK.
COVID-19 vaccine surveillance reports
Data on the real-world effectiveness and impact of the COVID-19 vaccines.
COVID-19: guidance on protecting people defined on medical grounds as extremely vulnerable
Information for protecting people defined on medical grounds as extremely vulnerable from coronavirus (COVID-19).
Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine adverse reactions
A weekly report covering adverse reactions to approved COVID-19 vaccines – updated the report to include data up to and including 8 September 2021.
COVID-19: the green book, chapter 14a
Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination information for public health professionals.
Updated to include new recommendations on boosters and children and young people. Minor updates to guidance on managing allergies and giving additional doses after rare side effects. Clarification of clinical risk groups for children and adults and the use of the clinically extremely vulnerable definition.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Infection Survey, UK: 17 September 2021
Estimates for England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland. This survey is being delivered in partnership with University of Oxford, University of Manchester, Public Health England, and Wellcome Trust.
PROPERTY:
Charity claims covid rent debt set to escalate if Universal Credit reversed
A £360 million wall of rental debt built up during the pandemic, combined with cuts to Universal Credit, threatens to leave hundreds of thousands of tenants facing long-term housing insecurity and problem debt. That’s according to StepChange analysis of new YouGov polling. StepChange, the UK’s leading debt charity, says renters are one of the groups most likely to have faced a prolonged loss of income or experienced a negative financial impact as a result of the pandemic. It claims that approximately half a million private tenants are now battling to stay on top of £360 million in rent arrears. YouGov’s polling shows how the government’s controversial planned £20 per week cut to Universal Credit ‘threatens to escalate entrenched difficulties caused by the crisis and exacerbate a two-speed recovery’.
Are auction rooms returning to in-room now society is reopening?
At various points throughout the pandemic, Property Investor Today has posed the question as to whether the UK’s major auction houses will return to traditional in-room auctions, or whether they will persist with online and remote alternatives.
This means, while cases continue to rise, the number of people dying and in intensive care continues to remain at a relatively low level as we head into autumn. As a result, in-person events without mask-wearing or social distancing have started to happen much more frequently – albeit more often outside than inside.
But has the reopening of society without any major issues so far led auction houses to rethink their future plans? Or, as we enter autumn and winter – months where illness, respiratory infections and colds are typically far more widespread – will consumers continue to prefer remote alternatives? Find out where some of the UK’s biggest and most successful auctioneers stand on returning to in-room auctions and whether there is any consumer demand for it – more here
RETAIL:
Next to run GAP’s UK operation in a joint venture
Next will manage Gap’s online business in the UK and Ireland as a franchise partner, after the companies finalised an agreement. The fashion companies announced they will form a joint venture with Next owning 51 per cent and Gap owning 49 per cent. Next will operate Gap’s online business across the Next Total Platform, host Gap-branded shop-in-shops and offer click-and-collect options next year.
Co-op partners with Amazon to increase online sales and rapid delivery
Co-op is partnering with Amazon and extending its robot deliveries as it aims to more than double online sales by the end of the year. The new partnership and robot rollout are key to Co-op’s plans to speed up “rapid kerb to kitchen grocery delivery services” as it strives to lift online sales from £70 million to £200 million. The partnership will allow Amazon Prime customers to do their full Co-op grocery shop on Amazon.co.uk with same-day delivery and two-hour scheduled time slots for free on orders over £40 and £3.99 for orders under £40, with a minimum shop of £15.
TRAVEL:
Treasury: travel business must now trade its way out of the Covid crisis
The Treasury has once again ruled out a targeted extension of furlough for the sectors hardest hit by the Covid crisis, such as travel, and suggested they must trade their way out of the pandemic. Travel, though, has not been able to trade its way out of the crisis in the same way other sectors have, chiefly because of the restrictions imposed by the UK government which either place onerous testing restrictions on travellers, or effectively all but ban travel to specific countries.
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.