UK STATISTICS
Total UK Cases: 7,736,235 positive tests
Latest UK daily figure: 34,526 new cases
Number in UK hospital: 7,000, 225 more than on previous day
New deaths across UK: 167
Total UK deaths: 136,375
England Cases per 100,000: 319
R number in UK: 0.8 to 1.0
Vaccine data:
Total 1st doses given: 48,765,726 – 90% of UK aged 16+
Total 2nd doses: 44,799,748 – 82%
Daily 1st doses: 24,219
Daily 2nd doses: 33,177
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: 39,156 to 28 September
Cases in the latest week: 1,467, 434 more than previous week
Total deaths: 755 to September 17th
Cases per 100,000: 499 per 100,000 week ending 24 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:
New Hospitality Council to guide the sector’s recovery
A team of industry experts has been assembled to help England’s pubs, restaurants and cafes?to thrive. The Hospitality Sector Council?is made up of experts who represent?a cross-section of the sector, to?support?the?delivery of?the?government’s?Hospitality Strategy.?The council?will?identify?and oversee actions related to?the 22 commitments in the strategy,?create?sensible?solutions?using their expert knowledge?and assess the strength of the sector.? The council is co-chaired by Minister Scully and?hospitality entrepreneur?and?Chair of Prezzo?Karen?Jones.?The first meeting of the council takes place today. Council members?include?UK Hospitality?CEO?Kate Nicholls,?Emma McClarkin of the British Beer and Pub Association, Nando’s?UK & Ireland Chief Executive Colin Hill, Greene King Chief Executive Nick?MacKenzie, Starbucks UK General Manager Alex Rayner and Mowgli’s Nisha Katona.
Next calls for immigration rules to be relaxed
Next has said its operations won’t be as efficient in the run up to Christmas unless the government relaxes immigration rules for workers. The UK retailer said some areas of its business were “beginning to come under pressure”, including warehouse and logistics staffing. It added that the lorry driver crisis was “foreseen, and widely predicted”. The company urged the government to “take a more decisive approach to the looming skills crisis”. Next’s warning over potential staffing issues during the festive period was made as it published its half-year results, which showed profit before tax was up by 5.9% compared to 2019 levels.
Vitamin A treatment trial for Covid loss of smell
Vitamin A nasal drops might be able to treat the loss or altered sense of smell in some people who have had Covid, UK researchers say.
The University of East Anglia is conducting a 12-week trial.
Only some of the volunteer patients will receive the treatment but all will be asked to sniff powerful odours such as rotten eggs and roses.
And brain scans will check if the vitamin has repaired injured olfactory pathways or “smell nerves”.
Covid not the only virus with long-term symptoms
It’s not just Covid that can leave sufferers with long-term symptoms, according to a study. People who have fallen ill with flu can suffer long-term symptoms in a similar way to long Covid. Find out more here.
PM meeting with representatives of Bereaved Families 4 Justice: 28 September 2021
Prime Minister Boris Johnson met with representatives of Bereaved Families 4 Justice. The Prime Minister met with Jo Goodman, Hannah Brady, Fran Hall, Charlie Williams and Lobby Akinnola from Bereaved Families 4 Justice. He thanked them for their powerful and painful accounts of how they lost their loved ones to COVID.
The Prime Minister said he would ensure that the public inquiry would get to the bottom of many of the questions that they, and thousands of others like them, have about the pandemic. He said it was critical to learn lessons and understand what happened in detail. The Prime Minister gave a commitment that the chair of the inquiry would be appointed by Christmas. He set out that for now it is right that public servants continue to focus their efforts on tackling the pandemic before moving on to the inquiry in the spring of next year.
REGIONAL & LOCAL NEWS:
Greater Manchester universities launch agreement to drive social and economic change
Five Greater Manchester universities have signed a flagship agreement with Mayor Andy Burnham to work together to drive social and economic change in the city-region. The Greater Manchester Civic University Agreement was signed by the vice-chancellors of the University of Bolton, the University of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan University and the University of Salford, the principal of the Royal Northern College of Music and Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, alongside the 10 local authority leaders of the city region, at a meeting of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority on Friday 24 September. Pledges have been made for collective action on six priority areas of education and skills; reducing inequalities; jobs and growth; the digital economy; net zero; and the creative and cultural economy. The pledge areas were selected based on polling of city-region residents and consultation with local political and civic leaders.
Virtual careers week explains post-16 options for Stockport’s young people
Young people in Stockport will have the opportunity to learn about post-16 further education, training and career opportunities with the region’s top employers during a week of careers events. Stockport Jobs Match’s Post-16 Careers Week is a virtual exhibition taking place from 11th to 15th October giving young people aged 14-19+ in the borough the opportunity to:
- Find out about part-time jobs for students, internships and graduate schemes, trainee and apprenticeships
- Discover local colleges, sixth forms, universities, support services for young people, FE and HE training providers
- Learn about the businesses and employers in Stockport, the careers they can offer now and in the future
Live online sessions will help to educate young people in the borough on their post-16 careers options, and be accompanied by range of activities and resources in schools and colleges. Evening Q&A sessions will take place on Tuesday 12th and Thursday 14th October at 8pm, giving young people the opportunity to get the answers to their questions from an expert panel. Live interactive sessions will also take place every lunch time at 1pm and 1.30pm, as well as a host of pre-recorded content available on-demand.
Manchester Airport sees flights increase as travel restrictions eased
As travel restrictions continue to ease and simplify, more and more airlines are starting, resuming or increasing services from Manchester Airport, the UK’s global gateway for the North, for holidays during the October half-term. Routes have resumed flying for numerous destinations popular with British holidaymakers for their year-round sunshine now that restrictions on travel are set to be eased from Monday 4th October. The previous traffic light system has been reviewed and from October, restrictions will only apply for the most at-risk ‘red list’ destinations; anyone who’s fully vaccinated no longer has to take a PCR test before travelling back to England from other destinations, including all of Europe and many other popular holiday destinations. With the move hoping to restore travellers’ confidence in the aviation industry, more airlines and travel companies have resumed travel to a number of key destinations around the world.
Stockport Together Again exhibition opens at Stockport War Memorial Art Gallery
Curated by arts and health charity Arc, the ‘Stockport Together Again’ exhibition has launched at Stockport War Memorial Art Gallery. ‘Stockport Together Again’, showcasing the resilience and creativity of Stockport residents during the pandemic, will run until November 14th 2021, at Stockport War Memorial Art Gallery on Wellington Road South and features artwork by individual artists, studios, collectives and community groups from across the borough. Arc are bringing Stockport Together Again with an exhibition celebrating the impact of arts on health and showcasing our lockdown creativity, with art, activities, events and more in Stockport …. the place that makes itself. The exhibition features artwork by individual artists and studio spaces, collectives and community groups.
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:
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.
COVID-19: guidance for households with possible coronavirus infection
Stay at home guidance for households with possible coronavirus (COVID-19) infection – updated stay at home illustration.
CONSTRUCTION:
Mace doubles tender price inflation forecast
Tender prices are predicted to grow by another 3% this year as experts at Mace doubled their inflation rate predictions as materials prices continue to soar.
Mace’s latest price rise forecasts are up from 1.5% last time and next year’s predictions have also been revised by 1.5%, pushing it up to 3.5%. Material prices were 6.6% higher in June than they were in March, with a further month-on-month jump of 4.5% in July. The rises also factor in a domestic shortage of HGV drivers which “will continue to have an impact, not just on material and tender costs, but on delivery timescales and construction output.” Mace’s Market View also warned that pay rates will hit tender prices with construction vacancies jumping to 38,000 in the three months to July – over 10,000 more than seen on average in the few years before the pandemic.
EDUCATION:
Coronavirus (COVID-19) National Testing Programme: conditions of grant from August 2021
Conditions of grant funding from August 2021 for the national roll-out of rapid mass testing for coronavirus (COVID-19) in schools and colleges.
HEALTH & WELLBEING:
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) – added large-print and audio versions of the letter to patients on the end of the shielding programme. Added audio version of the guidance for people previously considered as clinically extremely vulnerable from COVID-19.
LEGAL:
HM Courts and Tribunals Service engagement groups
Professional and public user groups working with HMCTS on aspects of the reform programme, including collaboration on new development proposals.
LOCAL AUTHORITY:
Welcome Back Fund
Guidance to help local authorities and partners to deliver activities supported through the Welcome Back Fund. This funding builds on the Reopening High Streets Safely Fund announced in May 2020 – guidance and FAQs updated to V3
RETAIL:
River Island reports £51.5m loss but is in better shape
River Island has recorded a pre-tax loss of £51.5 million after a challenging year as sales dropped due to enforced store closures. The pre-tax loss was recorded for the year to December 26 2020, against a profit of £3.8 million the year prior. Operating loss stood at £36.2 million, down from an operating profit of £21.4 million the year previous.
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.
Haulier coronavirus testing
To monitor the number of tests delivered and the positivity rate of the tests.
TRAVEL:
Coronavirus (COVID-19): safer travel guidance for passengers
Walking, cycling and travelling in vehicles or on public transport during the coronavirus outbreak.
easyJet raises £1.2 billion to accelerate Covid Recovery
easyJet has raised just shy of £1.2 billion through the sale of some 280 million new shares, which it said would firm up its balance sheet and “accelerate” its post-Covid recovery plan. The carrier issued slightly more than 300 million new shares earlier this month at £4.10 each and revealed on Tuesday (28 September) uptake among existing shareholders was around 93%.
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.