HELP US TO HELP YOU SUPPPORT YOUR BUSINESS
Over the next few weeks we would like to hear from businesses in Stockport on a range of issues around the impact of coronavirus and how we can support you, your team and your business. Please answer this short survey of just four questions to help us get started – click here
Latest UK Data:
Positive tests: 381,614 have tested positive (+ 3,395 new cases)
Loss of life: *41,705 across all settings (+ 21 in last 24 hours)
Cases in Stockport: 130 cases 8th Sept – 14th Sept (+37 on previous week)
Cases in Stockport: 44 per 100,000 (England area average is 18)
Deaths in Stockport: 367 registered to 4th September (+2 from previous week)
Total cases in Stockport: 2,267 to 16th September
*Daily reported COVID deaths are now measured across the UK as deaths that occurred within 28 days of the first laboratory-confirmed positive COVID test
Avoid Close Contact – Stay Safe – Download your free poster HERE
The R number and growth rate in the UK
The R number range for the UK is 1.0-1.2 and the growth rate range is -1% to +3% per day as of 11 September 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.
UK HEADLINES:
Tighter restrictions introduced in parts of North West, Lancashire & Midlands
Tighter restrictions will come into force in Lancashire, Merseyside, the Midlands and West Yorkshire after significant increases in Covid-19 cases. The new rules ban separate households from meeting each other at home or in private gardens. Pubs and restaurants must also shut early in parts of Lancashire and Merseyside.
The measures will come into force from Tuesday.
Simple Covid test gives results in 90 minutes
A rapid test can accurately diagnose a coronavirus infection within 90 minutes in situ, without the need for a specialist laboratory, say scientists. A study by Imperial College London suggests the device, which analyses DNA on nasal or saliva swabs, gives comparable results to current tests. However, others warn the kit – already used in eight hospitals – is not suitable for mass testing.
Privacy notice for maintaining records of staff, customers and visitors to support NHS Test and Trace
The use of customer logs in designated venues to support NHS Test and Trace will be mandatory from today, 18 September 2020.
New plan to help protect care homes from coronavirus over winter
A new adult social care winter plan will aim to curb the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) infections in care settings throughout the winter months.
Local restrictions: areas with an outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19)
A list of areas with additional local restrictions. Includes information for local authorities, residents and workers about what to do and how to manage the outbreak.
Coronavirus and the social impacts on Great Britain: 18 September 2020
Indicators from the Opinions and Lifestyle Survey covering the period 9 to 13 September 2020 to understand the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on people, households and communities in Great Britain.
Stronger measures introduced in parts of the North East to tackle rising infection rates
New restrictions will be introduced in parts of the north-east of England to curb rising infection rates.
LOCAL / REGIONAL NEWS & UPDATES
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.
Funding is available for 100% of the relevant National Minimum Wage for 25 hours a week, plus associated employer National Insurance contributions and employer minimum automatic enrolment contributions. There is also £1,500 per job placement available for setup costs, support and training. Employers who are looking to create 30 or more job placements can submit an application for funding online. For those who have less than 30 job placements, you must partner with an employer representative to reach this minimum number. Stockport Council has registered as an employer representative and is now accepting applications from employers across the borough who would like to offer a Kickstart placement and create a 6-month job opportunity for a young person in Stockport.
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: promotional materials
Use these materials to promote the Kickstart Scheme to employers and potential job placement participants.
£3million fund to support innovation in Greater Manchester
A new fund has been set up across the region to boost innovation and entrepreneurship. It’s been made available as a response to the Covid-19 pandemic, because of the lack of available innovation and loan capital for start-ups
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.
Stockport businesses grant funding payments:
Main Grant Scheme:
Stockport businesses grant funding payments:
Main Grant Scheme:
Applications are now closed; applications received up to the closing date on August 28th will be considered in the period leading up to the 30th September. Stockport Council have now administered a total of 5,409 grants bringing the total amount paid to £62,627,500 and bringing the total to 99.8% of those identified as eligible as at 11/09/2020.
Local Authority Discretionary Grant funding scheme
Status of LAD Payments to date:
Applications: 795 Payments: £2,158,000
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
Stockport – is your business open for business?
Is your business in Stockport? Are you ‘open for business’? Whatever your business, we want to support you. And it’s free! Follow the link, fill in the form and we will add you to our directory:
BUSINESS & FINANCE:
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme statistics: September 2020
Time series and statistics as at 31 July on the CJRS, including analysis by scheme size, sector, geography and on flexible furlough.
Self-Employment Income Support Scheme statistics: September 2020
The number of individuals claiming the SEISS grant up to 31 August 2020 by age, gender, industry sector and geography.
Working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19)
Find out how to make your workplace COVID-secure. Performing arts – updated guidance on social gatherings of more than 6 people (sections 3.3 and 3.12) and mandatory test and trace requirements (sections 1.3).
COMMUNITY:
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 guidance to incorporate changes in the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) (England) (Amendment) (No. 4) Regulations 2020 which came into effect on 14 September 2020.
COVID-19: guidance for those leading a nomadic way of life
Information on coronavirus (COVID-19) for those leading a nomadic way of life.
EDUCATION:
Responsibility for autumn exams
Guidance for schools and colleges on who should enter students for autumn exams, the health arrangements for exams and the support DfE is providing.
New parents urged to have their say on available early years support via new online questionnaire
The review will consider the barriers that impact on early years development, including social and emotional factors, and early childhood experiences.
Early years healthy development review: call for evidence
Share your evidence to help inform a new review into improving health and development outcomes of babies and young children in England.
HEALTH CARE & WELLBEING:
Coronavirus (COVID-19): getting tested
Guidance on coronavirus testing, including who is eligible for a test and how to get tested including a link to register a home test kit before a hospital procedure
DHSC: supplementary statistical data
A list of supplementary statistical data published by the Department of Health and Social Care.
New Lighthouse Labs to boost NHS Test and Trace capacity
Two new Lighthouse Labs in Newcastle and Bracknell will join the largest network of diagnostic testing facilities created in British history to help scale up testing capacity ahead of winter.
Wider impacts of COVID-19 on health monitoring tool
National monitoring tool that brings together metrics to assess the wider impacts of coronavirus (COVID-19) on health.
Oral statement on coronavirus and the government’s plans for winter
Oral statement by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on coronavirus and the government’s plans to put us in the strongest possible position for this winter.
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 – updated related deaths time series spreadsheet with latest figures.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) related deaths by disability status, England and Wales: 2 March to 3 July 2020
To provide updated estimates of mortality involving COVID-19 by disability status covering the period 2 March to 3 July 2020.
HOSPITALITY & LEISURE:
Daily Visitors to DCMS Sponsored Museums and Galleries
These experimental statistics show the number of daily visits to DCMS sponsored museums and galleries. For final visitor figures, refer to the monthly report.
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. North East local restrictions information added.
PROPERTY:
Industry prepares for end of evictions ban after six-month shutdown
The lettings industry is today preparing for the current ban on repossessions to be lifted on Sunday with courts to hear cases again from Monday. This is barring any late action from the government, which last month extended the ban by another four weeks just two days before it was due to end. The government has set out a raft of new rules for evictions. It has also confirmed that cases of extreme arrears built before lockdown, anti-social behaviour and domestic violence will be prioritised by the courts from Monday.
Office to residential – vote of confidence for developers
The green light for a vacant office building in the capital to be redeveloped into residential housing has been given after it was acquired by a large developer. The deal is thought to be one of the largest residential transactions to take place since the start of lockdown and will see 137 new homes delivered.
Understanding the possession action process: guidance for landlords and tenants
Guidance for landlords and tenants in the private and social rented sectors to explain the possession action process in the county courts in England and Wales.
RETAIL:
Welcome back Welcome Break as retailer bounces back
Roadside retailer Welcome Break has bounced back post lockdown from 57% pandemic sales drop. “Encouragingly, this recovery has continued over the summer months with the further lifting of restrictions, government stimulus packages and the staycation trend, all of which has improved traffic volumes. This performance further demonstrates the resilience of our business model and of our sector. We have learnt a lot during this crisis and are confident that we will emerge as a stronger organisation that is well positioned to benefit from future opportunities across all of our markets.”
Spending on home goods boost retail sales figure
If you’re spending more time at home, you may as well make your surroundings look good. British retail sales have continued to increase for the fourth consecutive month, boosted by spending on household goods and DIY. The amount shelled out for homeware products in particular was 9.9% higher in August than it was in February, when the pandemic was declared, says the Office for National Statistics.
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, published daily for the return to school period.
TRAVEL:
Coronavirus (COVID-19): countries and territories exempt from advice against ‘all but essential’ international travel
Guadeloupe and Slovenia are no longer on the travel advice exemptions list, following the latest assessment of COVID-19 risks. The FCDO advises against all non-essential travel to these countries. Singapore and Thailand, will be added to the list of countries where self-isolation on return the UK is not required, read the latest Government guidance before planning any travel.
Coronavirus (COVID-19): travel corridors
List of countries, territories and regions from where you can travel to England and may not have to self-isolate.
Singapore and Thailand to be added to the England travel corridor list at 4am Saturday 19 September 2020. Guadeloupe and Slovenia to be removed from the list at 4am Saturday 19 September.
CMA acts to protect competition on UK-US airline routes
Due to coronavirus, the CMA has imposed measures to protect competition on UK-US air routes while it investigates an agreement involving BA and American Airlines.
Covid-19 Webinars:
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:
If you would like to register your interest in creating one or more Kickstart Job, please complete the Kickstart Employer Enquiry Form and a member of the Council’s Kickstart Team will contact you to explain more.
Visit the Stockport Council website to report details of any outbreaks online. https://www.stockport.gov.uk/coronavirus-in-stockport/report-a-coronavirus-outbreak
The SMBC website and produce a form for completion online if anyone wants to report an outbreak. The links are now live and are below:
https://www.stockport.gov.uk/coronavirus-in-stockport/report-a-coronavirus-outbreak
https://www.stockport.gov.uk/guidance-for-employees-employers-and-businesses
Kickstart Scheme
The Kickstart Scheme provides funding to employers to create job placements for 16 to 24 year olds.
Kickstart Scheme employer resources
If you’ve been offered Kickstart Scheme funding, you can use these resources to show your support for the scheme.
Kickstart Scheme employer contacts
List of regional contacts for employers applying for a grant through the Kickstart Scheme.
New opening times for Stockport Council Coronavirus Helpline
The helpline for vulnerable people across Stockport can now be accessed through new opening times by calling 0161 217 6046:
• Monday – Thursday from 9am to 5pm
• Friday from 9am to 4.30pm
• Saturdays from 10am to 1pm
At busy times, residents are automatically offered a call-back from one of our call handlers.
Coronavirus outbreak FAQs: what you can and can’t do
Frequently asked questions on what you can and can’t do during the coronavirus outbreak – guidance updated in line with new regulations coming into force on 4 July
Business Survey:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dcms-coronavirus-impact-business-survey/dcms-business-survey-headline-measures
New tools and resources available from Acas:
Redundancy letter templates
Redundancy process map Acas have also contributed to the development of a new return to work toolkit in partnership with SOM, CIPD, BITC and Mind.
Applications Now Open for the Local Authority Discretion Fund. Businesses that had been eligible for the Self-Employment Income Support are also now eligible for the LA Discretionary Business Grant.
Apply for the coronavirus Future Fund
The Future Fund will provide UK Government loans to UK-based companies ranging from £125,000 to £5 million, subject to at least equal match funding from private investors.
Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme set to launch
Employers will be able to make claims through the Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme from 26 May.
Business Support in Stockport – a centre pool of information to support business owners in Stockport:
www.skbusinessrecovery.co.uk
Government – Guidance on Returning to Work safely
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19
Government – Setting out of Road Map to recovery – 11th May 2020
Our plan to rebuild: The UK Government’s 60 page COVID-19 recovery strategy
The UK Government’s COVID-19 recovery strategy. The strategy sets out a cautious roadmap to easing existing measures in a safe and measured way, subject to successfully controlling the virus and being able to monitor and react to its spread.Stockport Council has launched a FREE job matching website to help support employers with vacancies and individuals across the Stockport borough who are looking for work. The service, Stockport Jobs Match, will help to connect employers who have urgent temporary or permanent vacancies with applicants who are immediately available and in need of employment. The website also helps signpost individuals to available support services and information.
www.stockport-jobsmatch.co.uk
Coronavirus Act 2020: status
A table setting out the status of each measure in the Coronavirus Act 2020.
Government – Financial Support
New 100% government backed loan scheme for small business
Stockport Council – Health & Mental Well-being https://www.stockport.gov.uk/showcase/coronavirus
Government – Financial Support
CBILS – A guide to whether it may be the best options for a business
Government – Financial Support
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme – online claims portal open
Government – Business Support:
Government launches new coronavirus business support finder tool
Government – Business Support Hub:
https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus/business-support
Government – IT safety support:
Government Warnings Over Coronavirus Scams – Here’s How to Protect Yourself
Government – Financial Support:
HMRC has published guidance on how it will work out income and profits for the self-employed or those in a partnership who have lost profits due to coronavirus.
Government – Business Support:
https://www.businesssupport.gov.uk/coronavirus-business-support/
Government – Business Support: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19
Government – Financial Support: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-on-business-support-grant-funding
Government – Business Support:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19/covid-19-support-for-businesses
Bank of England – Financial Support: https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/news/2020/march/the-covid-corporate-financing-facility
Stockport Council Grant scheme:
https://www.stockport.gov.uk/business-rates-support-measures
Gov.uk: Maintaining Educational Provision: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-educational-provision/guidance-for-schools-colleges-and-local-authorities-on-maintaining-educational-provision
UK Lockdown – Further businesses to close and exceptions: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/874732/230320_-_Revised_guidance_note_-_finalVF
Business Growth Hub:
www.businessgrowthhub.com/coronavirus https://www.businessgrowthhub.com/coronavirus/resources/2020/03/coronavirus-business-support-webinar-series
Food & Drink – advice and guidance:
https://marketingstockport.co.uk/news/food-delivery-and-takeaway-guidance-for-food-businesses-looking-to-diversify/
Health – updates from NHS
https://www.england.nhs.uk/news/
Health– Shielding the most vulnerable
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19
Health – Dedicated helpline to support vulnerable residents in Stockport:
Support can be accessed by calling 0161 217 6046 Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm and Saturdays from 10am to 4pm.
Health – Dedicated health & wellbeing services:
24/7 mental health helpline & safe haven for anyone over the age of 18 in Stockport (0800 138 7276).
Health – An Emotional Wellbeing Hub which provides information, advice, and guidance for anyone up to the age of 25 for emotional wellbeing and mental health concerns. 0161 217 6028 – 8.30am-5pm Mon – Thurs 8.30am-4.30pm on Friday.
Health – the big white wall
The Big White Wall offers 24/7 anonymous support via a digital emotional wellbeing and mental health service, offering peer support for anyone over the age of 16, support from trained clinicians alongside a range of helpful tools and resources.
Media and Marketing:
Prolific North are publishing daily updates on their blog as to how Covid-19 is impacting on the marketing, media and technology industries
Travel:
https://media.northernrailway.co.uk/news/coronavirus-travel-information
Recruitment: – DWP and Universal Credit http://news.dwp.gov.uk/dwplz/lz.aspx?p1=MQsDU1NjQ5MlM2OTA0OjNCNDJBOEZCRTJDOUJEOTc1ODQ0RTRCRDNDNzk4QUNF-&CC=&p=0
Retail: An update form British Retail Consortium
https://brc.org.uk/news/corporate-affairs/coronavirus-latest-retailer-activity/
Employment: – Stockport Jobs Match
Community – Guidance for businesses seeking to help voluntary, community, and social enterprise organisations during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
How businesses can offer services, funds and volunteers to civil society during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Find out more information here.
Employment – Useful information for the Self-Employed:
News and Guidance for the self-employed:
Concerned how Coronavirus might impact you and your business?
Please get in touch with Enterprising You and you will be connected to someone who can help. You can also access information and guidance including the latest Government updates via www.businessgrowthhub.com/coronavirus
Can you claim back Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay in the Rebate Scheme
From Tuesday 26 May 2020, small and medium-sized employers, with fewer than 250 employees, will be able to apply to recover the costs of paying coronavirus-related Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) payments they have made to their employees.
Stockport park unveils tribute to young community hero 
Research finds Covid-19 has not fundamentally changed the UK labour market 
Government sets out ‘Living with COVID’ next steps from 1st April