UK STATISTICS
Total UK Cases: 7,530,103 positive tests
Latest UK daily figure: 34,460 new cases
Number in UK hospital: 7,567, 186 fewer than on previous day
New deaths across UK: 166
Total UK deaths: 135,621
England Cases per 100,000: 260
R number in UK: 0.9 to 1.1
Vaccine data:
Total 1st doses given: 48,644,692 – 89% of UK aged 16+
Total 2nd doses: 44,556,005 – 81%
Daily 1st doses: 26,989
Daily 2nd doses: 43,433
There have been over 7.5 million confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK and more than 135,000 people have died, government figures show. Over 93m 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, 82% aged 16 and over have had their second.
Latest Stockport data:
Total Stockport cases: 37,899 to 22 September
Cases in the latest week: 1,077, 2 fewer than previous week
Total deaths: 751 to September 3rd
Cases per 100,000: 366 per 100,000 week ending 17 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 17 September 2021.
Slides, datasets and transcripts to accompany coronavirus press conferences
Updated with slides to accompany coronavirus press conferences
UK NEWS UPDATES:
First UK manufactured rapid tests deployed across England
The first UK-manufactured lateral flow devices or LFDs are being rolled out to universities across England.
REGIONAL & LOCAL NEWS:
Aldi earmarks Hope Mill for new store
An Aldi store has been earmarked for a former mill site in Stockport to replace the town’s current supermarket. The “significant investment” proposed by Morbaine involves the redevelopment of the redundant key brownfield site at Hope Mill to provide the discount supermarket. The Water Street-development would support around 40 full-time jobs. The shop would have a gross internal area of 19,418 sq ft and a total of 116 car parking spaces are proposed. These include eight parent and child parking spaces and four disabled spaces. A further four electric vehicle charging spaces will also be provided. Aldi already has representation within the town centre on New Bridge Lane. However, the application submitted to Stockport Council, said the store is outdated and the wider development is limited by the space available.
Corner of Stockport has highest Covid cases in Greater Manchester
Marple Bridge & Mellor, to the east of the borough, saw a huge 157.9 per cent increase in cases from September 7 to September 17, with the Office for National Statistics (ONS) recording 49 cases during this period. It paints a very different picture from back in February, when it had the lowest rates in all of Greater Manchester.
Brinnington Park Sports club hosts this week’s pop-up vaccination clinic
The sports centre, Brinnington Park, will double up as a vaccination pop-up tomorrow, Friday, 24 September when it opens between 10am and 4pm.
Anyone aged 16 or over can walk-in to the pop up at Brinnington Park, Northumberland Road, Brinnington, Stockport, SK5 8LS and get a jab there and then, subject to eligibility.
Marketing Stockport and One+All partner to host Planet Mark’s Zero Carbon Tour Join the region’s business leaders to tackle the climate crisis at Stockport’s first Sustainability In Action Summit. One+All, a Certified B Corporation and a leading supplier of schoolwear, has teamed up with Marketing Stockport to summit, part of the Planet Mark’s Zero Carbon Tour, spreading the word about environmental strategies adopted by local businesses, and the net zero carbon message. The summit is free to attend and runs from 8.30am until 1.30pm on 6 October 2021, including lunch and refreshments. Places are limited and can be reserved through Eventbrite
MEN: Greater Manchester parents warned against trick or treating on Halloween
Parents are being warned not to take home more than they bargained for by letting children go trick or treating this year. Kate Ardern, Greater Manchester lead director of public health for health protection and emergency planning, is reminding parents that things are not back to normal. “We all need to continue to take precautions to keep ourselves, our loved ones and our communities safe. That means continuing to practice good hygiene, limiting the number of people we come into contact with, and where possible meeting others outside.”
SECTOR SPECIFIC CORONAVIRUS-RELATED NEWS:
BUSINESS:
HMRC: UK Government’s Plan for Jobs
Information to help businesses prepare for the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) scheme closing on 30?? ?September and a reminder of the 14?? ?October deadline for submitting final claims. To find out what other financial support may be available for you and your business, search ‘find coronavirus financial support’ on GOV??.UK.
- Submit your CJRS claims for September
- Preparing for the end of the CJRS – frequently asked questions
- Final claims for the Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme
- A word about scams
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.
LEGAL:
Coronavirus Act reports
Two-monthly and yearly reports on which powers in the Coronavirus Act 2020 are currently active – added the September 2021 report to the page.
HEALTH & WELLBEING:
Scientific evidence supporting the government response to coronavirus (COVID-19)
Evidence considered by the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) – added link to September 2021 SAGE document collection.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) testing for hospices
Sets out how hospices can access COVID-19 testing for staff and patients on-site, for staff visiting patients in their own homes, and for visitors to hospices – updated to include information on testing for patient facing volunteers.
Government’s New Assets: Winter Vaccination Campaign
The first phase of the Winter vaccination campaign launched on digital channels this week. New materials are available to communicate key aspects of this campaign, including:
Social Media calendar and creative assets
Specific assets to encourage NHS staff and care staff to get the flu vaccine and COVID-19 booster
Weekly statistics for NHS Test and Trace (England): 9 September to 15 September 2021
Experimental statistics on NHS Test and Trace since its launch on 28 May 2020. Includes reports on NHS Test and Trace (people tested and contact tracing) and rapid (lateral flow device) testing for people without symptoms.
PROPERTY:
Eviction for tenants following pandemic rent arrears
People are being evicted from their homes following rent arrears built up during the pandemic, despite the government saying no one should lose their home as a result of the crisis. A third of county court hearings about evictions in England and Wales over the summer were coronavirus-related, according to an investigation. Marshall Kinder-Maiss, 20, his partner Joanne and their baby son Roman face this situation after a ban on bailiff evictions ended earlier this year. They’ve been advised going to court would be pointless. The government says as the economy is re-opening, it’s delivering a fairer and more effective private rental sector.
RETAIL:
Louis Vuitton – LVMH – to recruit 25,000 people under 30
LVMH is planning to recruit 25,000 people under the age of 30 worldwide as
part of plans to accelerate its HR and corporate social responsibility policy.
The roles will include almost 5,000 internships or apprenticeships, as well as 2,500 posts through permanent employment contracts in France. LVMH said it was making the move due to the “particularly difficult economic context for younger generations” following the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic. To support the ambition, LVMH will also be strengthening its Craft the Future action plan.
Retailers reward workers with Boxing Day holiday in response to Covid pandemic
While it may only be September now, the topic of Christmas is already very much alive in the world of retail. Boxing Day has always been one of the busiest times of the year for retail employees across the world as shoppers flock to the stores to take advantage of seasonal sales. However, amid the Covid-19 pandemic, many retailers made the unprecedented move of shutting up shops on December 26 to allow workers to spend time with their loved ones. Morrisons, M&S and Sainsbury’s are just some of the supermarkets that have commented on their Christmas opening hours already. Read the full list of the shops that have confirmed they’ll stay closed this Boxing Day, as well as shutting as normal on Christmas Day
TRAVEL:
TUI to restart flights to Turkey from today
The airline and tour operator will offer 70 weekly flights to Antalya and Dalaman from 10 UK bases for the rest of the summer 2021 season. Flights to Turkey will resume from Belfast International, Birmingham, Bristol, East Midlands, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds Bradford, Stansted, Manchester and Newcastle airports. Turkey was removed from the red list yesterday, (22 September) after last week’s update of the traffic light destination lists.
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.
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