UK STATISTICS
Total UK Cases: 7,701,715 positive tests
Latest UK daily figure: 37,960 new cases
Number in UK hospital: 6,865, 266 fewer than on previous day
New deaths across UK: 40
Total UK deaths: 136,208
England Cases per 100,000: 319
R number in UK: 0.8 to 1.0
Vaccine data:
Total 1st doses given: 48,736,534 – 90% of UK aged 16+
Total 2nd doses: 44,764,324 – 82%
Daily 1st doses: 14,120
Daily 2nd doses: 24,851
There have been more than 7.7 million confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK and over 136,000 people have died, government figures show. Over 93m vaccine doses have been received across the UK. 90% 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: 38,931 to 27 September
Cases in the latest week: 1,463, 453 more than previous week
Total deaths: 753 to September 3rd
Cases per 100,000: 497 per 100,000 week ending 23 September
R number in North West: 0.8 – 1.0
Stockport vaccine data:
1st dose: 85% of over 16s to 23 September
2nd dose: 80%
The R value and growth rate
The latest R number estimate for England is 0.8 to 1.0, while for Scotland it is 0.8 to 1.1, for Wales it is 0.8 to 1.0 and for Northern Ireland it is 0.7 to 0.9.
Slides, datasets and transcripts to accompany coronavirus press conferences
Updated with slides to accompany coronavirus press conferences
UK NEWS UPDATES:
Governemnt and TalkTalk partner to attack digital exclusion for job seekers
TalkTalk has partnered with the Department for Work and Pensions to give jobseekers free broadband for six months. The Salford-based telecoms giant said it will roll out a new voucher scheme giving those looking for work free access to high-quality broadband. The programme aims to tackle digital exclusion and remove barriers to employment across the UK.
Home-working helps careers, say majority of women
Survey indicates more than half of women think working from home will help them progress at work, as childcare and caring duties become less of a hindrance to working full-time. Research for the BBC suggests 65% of managers feel working from home helps advance women’s careers, although a quarter of the women polled by YouGov said homeworking was unlikely to advance their careers.
Government seeks views on contingency proposals for certification
A policy proposal has been published for mandatory vaccine certification as a contingency measure under the government’s Autumn and Winter Plan.
Half of young people willing to get jab – study
A half of children and young people aged nine to 18 are willing or eager to be vaccinated against Covid, a survey of 27,000 students at 180 schools in England suggests. More than a third were undecided and just over one in 10 would decline, according to the research, which was carried out before the UK recommended all children aged 12 to 15 should be offered one dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid jab.
REGIONAL & LOCAL NEWS:
12,000 jobs warning in Greater Manchester as furlough scheme closes
Up to 12,000 people currently on furlough in Greater Manchester could lose their jobs when the scheme ends later this week, a leading economic expert has warned. Subrahmaniam Krishnan-Harihara, head of research at the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, said a significant number of redundancies could be made in connection with Manchester Airport because of the impact the Covid-19 pandemic has had on the “valuable economic asset”. As of July 31, there were 68,000 people on furlough in Greater Manchester. The scheme is due to come to an end on Thursday. He also called on a “significant investment” in upskilling and reskilling the local workforce to help fill vacancies in the city region as well as mitigate the number of jobs that could be lost.
Working Well employment and wellbeing programme extended
A Greater Manchester programme to improve access to employment, training opportunities and wellbeing support has been extended until 2023 after its success during the Covid-19 pandemic. The Working Well Work and Health Programme Job Entry Targeted Support service (WHP JETS) will be extended for a further 12 months after helping over 20,000 people in the Greater Manchester since the Covid-19 lockdown began last year. Following the outbreak of the pandemic, Greater Manchester’s devolved powers meant the city-region could quickly respond and support people who were at risk of losing their jobs or became newly unemployed.
MEN: Stockport highest infection rates in Greater Manchester
Stockport now has the highest coronavirus infection rate in Greater Manchester, replacing Tameside. The borough recorded a rate of 497.3 cases per 100,000 people in the week ending September 23, according to the latest data. The lowest infection rate is the city-borough of Manchester, where the rate is 208.0 cases per 100,000 people. In Greater Manchester as a whole, the infection rate is now 314.6 cases per 100,000 population, lowed than the England average which is 323.0 cases per 100,000 people.
Data from Stockport NHS team supports Covid booster programme
Data drawn from research carried out by Stockport NHS Foundation Trust’s research and innovation team has helped shape the COVID-19 vaccine booster programme now being delivered to protect people nationwide. The government recently announced the rollout of a third vaccine dose to those most vulnerable to COVID-19. The decision followed advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), based on early data from the COV-BOOST trial.
COV-BOOST, the world’s first trial to provide vital data on the impact of a third dose on patients’ immune responses, was run at 18 sites across England, Scotland and Wales. It was backed by £19.3 million of government funding through the Vaccines Taskforce and supported by the National Vaccination Immunisation Evaluation Consortium (NISEC) funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR).
Last chance to get your ticket for the Stockport Business Awards
There are just a few tickets remaining to attend the presentation ceremony for the 10th anniversary of the Stockport Business Awards, which take place at Edgeley Park on Thursday 30th September from 6.30pm. To mark the tenth anniversary of the awards, the firm has released a number of extra tickets to give as many organisations as possible the opportunity to celebrate the diversity and successes of the Stockport business community over the past year.
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
SECTOR SPECIFIC CORONAVIRUS-RELATED NEWS:
BUSINESS:
What happens when furlough ends this week?
The government’s furlough scheme ends on 30th September affecting around 1.5 million people whose wages are being 60% subsidised by the goverment. In May 2020, nearly 9 million were on furlough. The Bank of England believes unemployment may rise as workers in severely disrupted sectors such as travel and tourism may lose their jobs. Those facing redundancy should apply for support schemes as soon as possible such as Job Seekers Alliance worth upto £74.70 per week. News of local jobs available can be found at www.stockport-jobsmatch.co.uk
COMMUNITY:
Coronavirus (COVID-19) PCR home test kit instructions
Find out how to do a PCR test for COVID-19 at home and register a test kit so you can get the result.
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.
NHS COVID-19 app: privacy information
Privacy notice and data protection impact assessment for the NHS COVID-19 mobile app – the Privacy Notice has been updated to incorporate changes on the Self- declaration of medical exemption (England only) and participation in a COVID-19 clinical trial. The same update applies to the Welsh language version.
CONSTRUCTION:
Aldi to open 100 stores in the next two years
German discounter Aldi is sticking with bricks and mortar expansion plans aiming to open another 100 stores across the UK over the next two years. The group, which is now the fifth biggest supermarket operator in the UK, will also expand its logistics infrastructure, including a new 1.3m sq ft site in Leicestershire, as part of a £1.3bn spend. Work will start on the £100m national distribution centre project early next year with Birmingham warehouse specialist DSP Construction Management tipped for the project.
EDUCATION:
COVID-19 Schools Infection Survey, England: Prevalence of ongoing symptoms following coronavirus (COVID-19) infection in school pupils and staff
Initial estimates of prevalence of ongoing symptoms following coronavirus (COVID-19) infection in staff and pupils from the COVID-19 Schools Infection Survey across a sample of schools, within selected local authority areas in England. This Schools Infection Survey (SIS) is jointly led by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Public Health England and the Office for National Statistics.
Unaccompanied minors arriving from a red list country to attend boarding school
How unaccompanied students under 18 years old can quarantine in boarding school accommodation.
School attendance: guidance for schools
Covers registers and attendance codes (including circumstances due to coronavirus (COVID-19)), school hours and term dates and improving school attendance – addendum: removed information about under-18s that were previously considered clinically extremely vulnerable (CEV).
Coronavirus (COVID-19): test kits for schools and FE providers
Guidance for schools and further education (FE) providers on the initial supply of coronavirus (COVID-19) home testing kits for pupils, teachers and staff – update to clarify that when providing PCR test kits to pupils or students under 16, settings must inform parents or guardians. It also clarifies the actions to take following a positive result and confirms that fully vaccinated adults and children will not need to self-isolate as a result of being a close contact but will need to take a PCR test.
HEALTH & WELLBEING:
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
Vaccine uptake guidance and the latest coverage data
Information for health professionals and immunisation practitioners – added Cover of vaccination evaluated rapidly (COVER) programme 2021 to 2022: quarterly data.
Proposal for mandatory COVID certification in a Plan B scenario
This document fulfils the commitment, set out in the Autumn and Winter Plan, to provide organisations with more detail about the proposed certification regime that would be introduced as part of Plan B.
Regulatory approval of Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine for COVID-19
Information for healthcare professionals and the public about the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine – extended vaccine shelf life from 6 months to now 9 months.
LEGAL:
How HMCTS uses telephone and video hearings
Information about how HMCTS uses telephone and video technology.
LOCAL AUTHORITY:
Local authority powers to impose restrictions under coronavirus regulations
Supports the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) (No 3) Regulations 2020 that came into force on 18 July 2020 – updated ‘Local authority powers to impose restrictions: Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) (No 3) Regulations 2020’ to extend the regulations until 24 March 2022.
Coronavirus grant funding: local authority payments to small and medium businesses
Local authorities have received and distributed funding to support small and medium businesses in England during coronavirus – additional Restrictions Grant data up until 29 August 2021 republished: in some instances, the figures in the earlier version were not aligned with the correct Local Authority, but this has now been corrected.
PROPERTY:
House prices in tourist hotspots out of reach to young buyers and low paid
Young and low paid workers in tourist hotspots are increasingly facing the prospect of being unable to afford to live there. Despite falling from a record high in June, the average UK house price (£256,000) increased by 8.0% in July 2021 compared with the previous year. House prices were rising at three times the national rate in some rural and coastal areas in July, such as Conwy in North Wales (25.0%), North Devon (22.5%) and Richmondshire in the Yorkshire Dales (21.4%), continuing a trend seen during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Meanwhile, the seven areas that recorded house price falls in July were all London boroughs.
House prices are increasing partly because of temporary changes to taxes paid on property purchases (including Stamp Duty in England and Northern Ireland), but they also reflect a shift in consumer preferences with growth being driven by rural and coastal areas. Read more
Coronavirus and house price growth
Analysis identifying the types of areas that are seeing the fastest house price growth during the coronavirus pandemic, and who could be at risk of being priced out.
RETAIL:
Retailers boost as UK workers return to the office
Last week UK retail footfall rose by 2.7 per cent compared with the week before, new data has shown. Data provider Springboard’s weekly monitor showed that footfall in central London was up by 6.5 per cent, as workers return to offices after the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions. Springboard’s “Central London Back to Office Footfall Benchmark,” which tracks footfall in key Central London locations where offices, rather than stores, are located, showed a rise of 8.8 per cent. Across the Monday to Friday working week, footfall rose in high streets by 6.7 per cent but it fell by 1.5 per cent on Saturday, whilst in shopping centres the rise in footfall averaged 3 per cent between Monday and Friday but rose by 0.4 per cent on Saturday, further supporting the claim that a return to offices has started. The drift back to offices is not just a phenomenon in the capital, with large city centres outside of London experiencing a 6.1 per cent increase in footfall, the report said.
SPORT:
Kicking COVID into touch: Rugby stars support vaccine roll out
Rugby players urge people to get their COVID-19 vaccine in new short film
TRANSPORT:
Carry out international road haulage
What UK goods vehicle operators need to do to carry out international road haulage – changed reference of GB stickers to UK stickers, as UK stickers have now replaced GB stickers.
Get a coronavirus (COVID-19) test if you’re an HGV or van driver
COVID-19 testing for hauliers arriving in England and travelling from the UK – the COVID-19 test requirement for hauliers entering Germany has been lifted.
TRAVEL:
Coronavirus (COVID-19): advice for UK visa applicants and temporary UK residents
This is advice for visa customers and applicants in the UK, visa customers outside of the UK and British nationals overseas who need to apply for a passport affected by travel restrictions associated with coronavirus.
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.