UK LATEST DATA:
GOV & BBC UK daily data:
Total UK Cases: 6,789,581 positive tests
Latest UK daily figure: 32,181 new cases
New deaths across UK: 50
Total UK deaths: 132,535
Number of people in hospital 7,015 (32 more than on previous day)
England cases per 100,000: 299
R number in England: 1.0 – 1.1
UK Vaccine data:
Total 1st doses given: 48,048,009 – more than 88% of UK adults
Total 2nd doses: 42,072,712 / 79% of UK adults
Daily 1st doses: 19,643
Daily 2nd doses: 66,648
There have been nearly 6.8 million confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK and mor ethan 132,000 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 89m vaccine doses have been received across the UK and more than 88% of people aged 16 and over have now had their first dose of a coronavirus vaccine and some 42 million, nearly 79% aged 16 and over have had their second.
Latest Stockport data:
Total cases: 33,720 to 27 August
Cases in latest week: 1,025 (62 more than previous week)
Total deaths: 745 registered to 13 August
Stockport cases per 100,000 348 per 100,000 (21 Aug to 27 Aug)
R number in North-West: 0.9 to 1.1
Stockport vaccine data:
1st dose 85% of adults to 30 August
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 1.0 to 1.1 and the growth rate range for England is 0% to +2% per day as of 27 August 2021.
Slides, datasets and transcripts to accompany coronavirus press conferences
Updated with slides to accompany coronavirus press conferences
UK NEWS UPDATES:
Scotland to trial 4-day working week
Returning to where we were more than 18 months ago seems highly unlikely. Scotland is to trial a four-day week, but without a loss of pay. A report out today includes some ideas for how it could be done, drawing on experience in Iceland and New Zealand. Improving employees’ sense of wellbeing, and therefore their output, requires the remaining 80% of hours to be well-managed. Getting back to work is going to take some time, partly through resistance from office workers. A wholly unsurprising 80% think they’d prefer a four-day week. The same proportion, and probably the same people, say it would improve their wellbeing. For employers? It’s maybe not so attractive. Read the full article
Universal credit top-up to be phased out
The £20-a-week top-up introduced during the pandemic is due to be phased out from late September. Universal credit is claimed by more than 5.5 million households in the UK. Around 39% of recipients are in employment. The payment, which combines six benefits for people of working age, currently pays a minimum standard allowance of £344 a month.
PCR tests for international travel here to stay Health Minister warns
Holidaymakers’ hopes of cheaper trips abroad have been dashed after a health minister reportedly said PCR tests will stay for the “foreseeable future”. According to The Telegraph, Lord Bethell indicated to test providers at a meeting last Friday (27 August) that the tests are unlikely to be scrapped despite calls from Tory MPs for them to be axed. Currently, all UK arrivals have to take at least one PCR test, which on average cost more than £70, on or before day two of their return.
It comes amid evidence that only four out of every 1,000 fully vaccinated holidaymakers returning to the UK tested positive for Covid-19 in July.
Covid UK vaccine booster scheme likely to start this month
A UK Covid vaccine booster scheme will take place and is likely to start next month, the health secretary has said. Sajid Javid said he was uncertain of the exact start date as the government was waiting for the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation’s “final advice” before proceeding. Mr Javid added the “most vulnerable” would be offered the third jab first. However, it remains unclear whether the booster scheme will be for all adults, or just some, more vulnerable groups.
Interim advice from the JCVI, released last month, suggested more than 30 million of the most vulnerable people – including all over-50s – should receive a third dose.
Covid: the doctor busting the Covid vaccine myths
A doctor has taken to social media in a bid to stop misinformation surrounding the Covid vaccines. Dr Bnar Talabani, a scientist and doctor specialising in kidney and transplant medicine, has been talking to young people on social media trying to dispel myths about vaccines. The Cardiff-based doctor, who has been trying to encourage young people to get jabbed over TikTok, said there was a lot of misinformation aimed at young people, and stories, like Maisy’s showed how important it was to get the vaccine. “The key is to focus on the science and the evidence, ignore opinion, nobody’s opinion matters,” Dr Talabani said.
Watch her video here
SECTOR SPECIFIC CORONAVIRUS-RELATED NEWS:
BUSINESS:
Kickstart Scheme employer resources
If you’ve been offered Kickstart Scheme funding, you can use these resources to show your support for the scheme.
HMRC: new customs and tax rules for exports
If you move goods between the UK and countries in the EU, you need to follow new customs and tax rules. HMRC can help you, as we understand how challenging it can be for many businesses. If you have a specific question about importing, exporting or customs reliefs you should call our Customs and International Trade helpline on 0300?? ?322?? ?9434. The helpline is open?? ?from 8am?? ?to?? ?10pm?? ?Monday?? ?to?? ?Friday and?? ?from 8am?? ?to?? ?4pm at?? ?week??ends. You can also send us your questions or webchat.
Other support available includes:
Our HMRC’s YouTube channel where you can watch videos to familiarise yourself with the new customs processes and what you need to do before you trade goods with the EU.
If you buy goods from the EU, or send or sell goods to the EU for your business, our Rules of Origin recorded webinar will help you understand the process and what you need to do.
Our live webinars explain existing guidance and give you the opportunity to ask general questions about the content. You can also see responses to other peoples’ questions and the guidance we signpost to for extra help and support.
We’re unable to answer questions specific to the items you import or export on the webinars.
Importing – steps you need to take before making your supplementary declaration: advice on what you need to do to be able to make a supplementary declaration and how intermediaries can help.
Customs Import Declarations: an overview: of the whole declarations process.
Exporting: what you need to do to keep your goods moving: covering zero-rated VAT, customs declarations, using an intermediary as well as licences, certificates, and authorisations.
Trader responsibilities when using an intermediary: explaining your responsibilities if using an intermediary to complete import or export declarations.
There are also webinars and videos from other government departments.
There’s also a trader checklist, updated guides and customer forums.
TheTrader Support Service is also available if you’re moving goods between GB and Northern Ireland and use their suite of educational products, including online training modules and webinars for support with the Northern Ireland Protocol.
Why not sign up to our weekly email updates on news and information about importing and exporting with the EU, providing hints and tips for businesses like yours, getting used to the new rules for importing and exporting?
Protect yourself from scams
Stay vigilant about scams, which may mimic government messages as a way of appearing authentic. Search ‘scams’ on GOV??????.UK for information on how to recognise genuine HMRC contact. You can also forward suspicious emails claiming to be from HMRC to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk and texts to 60599. Access the National Cyber Security Centre’s new guide on how to stay secure online and protect yourself or your business against cyber crime by searching ‘Cyber Aware’ on GOV????.UK.
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.
DVLA Coronavirus (COVID-19) update
Find out the date of applications we are processing and how to access our online services.
CONSTRUCTION:
HMRC: The way VAT is collected in the construction industry changed March 2021.
Join the following live webinar to find out more about the VAT reverse charge for construction services. You can ask questions throughout using the on-screen textbox.
How to apply the VAT reverse charge for construction services:
This webinar explains how the changes will impact you and what you need to do now – Register here
The following short videos, available on HMRC’s YouTube channel will provide help with record keeping: Keeping VAT records digitally VAT record keeping
EDUCATION:
Initial teacher training (ITT): criteria and supporting advice
Mandatory guidance on the criteria that organisations must meet to provide initial teacher training (ITT) – revised guidance to revert to pre-COVID-19 advice.
Coronavirus (COVID-19): initial teacher training (ITT)
Information for providers about managing initial teacher training courses impacted by the coronavirus (COVID-19) – updated sections on ITT criteria, assessment only and early years ITT. Removed guidance relating to policies that do not apply to the 2021 to 2022 academic year.
Students alarmed about Covid precautions
Build to Rent furnishing solutions firm Manor Interiors recently researched UK student accommodation standards during the Covid-19 pandemic. Some 1,032 UK students took part in the survey carried out by Manor Interiors through Find Out Now, a consumer research platform. Various concerns and suggestions were raised in the study about student accommodation in the UK. The participants chose what was concerning about their specific university accommodation, with the results from the study being used to understand how the threat of catching the deadly virus can be minimised.
Early years inspection handbook
Ofsted guidance on inspecting registered early years and childcare providers under the education inspection framework.
HEALTH & WELLBEING:
COVID-19 vaccination programme
Documents relating to the new coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination programme.
PROPERTY:
New government guidance incorporates latest Right To Rent changes
The government has updated its formal guidance to letting agents and landlords on Right To Rent. This sets out the continuation of online video identity checks and digital/scanned copies of Right to Rent documentation being acceptable, instead of face-to-face checks. A statement from the Home Office says: “We have made the decision to defer the date following the positive feedback we received about the ability to conduct checks remotely. We initiated a review of the availability of specialist technology to support a system of digital Right to Rent checks in the future.” Read more
Mortgage offers decoline as Stamp Duty holiday tapers
Mortgage approvals declined over the last month as the tapering stamp duty holiday deterred home purchases, according to data from the Bank of England. There were 75,152 mortgage approvals in July, the first full month the stamp duty holiday tapered, down from 80,272 in the previous month. Jeremy Leaf, north London estate agent and a former RICS residential chairman, says: “These figures are always a good indicator of future direction of travel for the housing market. They show ‘activity’ on the turn as the beginning of tapering of the stamp duty concession put the brakes on but show that there is still plenty of life remaining as buyers and sellers aren’t finished yet.
RETAIL:
WH Smith “financially strong” as high street revenues bounce back
High Street retailer WH Smith has today announced that its revenues have risen by more than 60 per cent across the past year. WH Smith, which has over 600 stores and 800 travel hub outlets, has reported an upswing in revenues compared to last year as pandemic restrictions are lifted across the country. The company reported today (September 1) that its revenues for the second half of the year had risen by 65 per cent, growing on the first half’s increase of 60 per cent. Revenues at the brand’s high street and online stores rose by 85 per cent in the second half of 2021, while travel stores lagged behind at 55 per cent as international travel restrictions stayed in place.
TRANSPORT:
Haulier advice site locations
Find sites where HGV and coach drivers can get free COVID-19 tests and check their documents to transport goods to the EU – COVID-19 testing and border readiness support ended at Sandbach north and southbound Tuesday 31 August.
Haulier coronavirus testing
To monitor the number of tests delivered and the positivity rate of the tests – latest data table added.
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.
International road haulage: HGV and trailer documents
Heavy goods vehicle (HGV) and trailer documents you need to legally cross international borders in a UK-registered vehicle – from 28 September 2021, you’ll need a UK sticker instead of a GB sticker on your vehicle to drive abroad.
TRAVEL:
International bus or coach services and tours: vehicle documents
Check which vehicle documents you need to carry if you drive a bus or coach across international borders – from 28 September 2021, you’ll need a UK sticker instead of a GB sticker on your vehicle to drive abroad.
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