UK LATEST DATA:
GOV & BBC UK daily data:
Total UK Cases: 6,825,074 positive tests
Latest UK daily figure: 35,693 new cases
New deaths across UK: 207
Total UK deaths: 132,742
Number of people in hospital 7,598 (326 more than on previous day)
England cases per 100,000: 295
R number in England: 1.0 – 1.1
UK Vaccine data:
Total 1st doses given: 48,086,605 – more than 88% of UK adults
Total 2nd doses: 42,908,022 / 79% of UK adults
Daily 1st doses: 38,596
Daily 2nd doses: 117,437
There have been more than 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: 34,459 to 01 September
Cases in latest week: 992 (31 less than previous week)
Total deaths: 747 registered to 20 August
Stockport cases per 100,000 337 per 100,000 (22 Aug to 28 Aug)
R number in North-West: 0.9 to 1.1
Stockport vaccine data:
1st dose 85% of adults to 31 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:
Coronavirus vaccines cut risk of long Covid
Being fully vaccinated against Covid-19 not only cuts the risk of catching it, but also of an infection turning into long Covid, research led by King’s College London suggests. It shows that in the minority of people who get Covid despite two jabs, the odds of developing symptoms lasting longer than four weeks are cut by 50%.
This is compared with people who are not vaccinated. So far, 78.9% of over-16s in the UK have had two doses of a Covid vaccine. Many people who get Covid recover within four-weeks but some have symptoms that continue or develop for weeks and months after the initial infection – sometimes known as long Covid. It can happen after people experience even mild coronavirus symptoms.
Cuts to NHS services without £10bn extra funding to cover pandemic costs?
Services may have to be cut unless NHS England receives an extra £10bn in funding next year, groups representing the health service have warned. The NHS Confederation and NHS Providers said the money was needed to cover pandemic-related costs and reduce the backlog in operations and treatments. They warned that patients could be put at risk without more funding. The government said it had already provided additional money to tackle backlogs. The organisations are concerned a three-year government spending review for England, some of which could be announced next week, will fall well short of what the NHS needs.
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
REGIONAL & LOCAL NEWS:
Former BASF MD leads “Premier City” delegation to Germany
Greater Manchester is focusing on improving its links with “number one target” Germany in a bid to become the “premier city region” in the UK outside of London, according to Andy Burnham’s new special advisor for the European powerhouse. Richard Carter is part of the team which is taking part in a two-day delegation to the country this week during which Greater Manchester’s leaders hope stronger links will be forged to help benefit the business community back home. A former managing director of BASF UK, Mr Carter added the high-profile visit is a bit of a “coup” for Greater Manchester and talked up the positive for the city region.
More than £120m of government funding will help eligible businesses and drivers to upgrade non-compliant vehicles as part of a Greater Manchester clean air scheme.
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) is seeking vehicle dealers to join the GM Clean Air Plan accredited dealership initiative. The funding has been secured to help eligible vehicle owners affected by the introduction of Greater Manchester’s Clean Air Zone on 30 May 2022. Vehicles included in the category C GM Clean Air Zone are LGVs, HGVs, buses, coaches, minibuses, motorhomes, private hire vehicles and hackney carriages which do not meet emissions standards. Private cars, mopeds and motorcycles are not included in the zone.
Qatar to increase flights from Manchester Airport as restrictions relaxed
Qatar Airways has announced it will increase the number of weekly flights from Edinburgh and Manchester Airports from the start of September – to meet pent-up demand following the lifting of travel restrictions. The airline’s services from Edinburgh Airport will increase to three flights a week to Doha starting from September 1, with a further increase to four flights a week from the beginning of October. The airline also said it will increase weekly flights from Manchester to Doha from three to ten from Wednesday, September 1 – and fourteen flights a week from October.
A summer of fun in Stockport thanks to Holiday Activites Programme
As the school holidays near an end, childcare providers and voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) groups across Stockport are celebrating a successful summer of the HAF (Holiday Activities and Food) programme. The HAF programme has given children across the borough the opportunity to enjoy fun and food throughout the school holidays. Activities have included learning about cooking and nutrition, sports competitions as well as arts and crafts activities.
SECTOR SPECIFIC CORONAVIRUS-RELATED NEWS:
BUSINESS:
Help employers with the Kickstart Scheme (Kickstart gateway)
Information for Kickstart gateways on how to help employers with the Kickstart Scheme and how to add jobs or employers to the grant agreement.
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 – added the latest estimates by local authorities for payments made under these grant programmes: Additional Restrictions Grant, Local Restrictions Support Grant / Christmas Support Payment and Restart Grant.
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme statistics: 29 July 2021
Time series and statistics as at 30 June 2021 on the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, with analysis by scheme size, sector, geography, age, gender and flexible furlough.
Comparison of ONS and HMRC furloughed employee statistics, UK: March 2020 to June 2021
An overview of the similarities and differences between the fortnightly Business Insights and Conditions Survey (BICS) furlough estimates and HM Revenue and Customs’s (HMRC’s) Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme statistics, over the period 23 March 2020 to 30 June 2021.
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.
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 s earching ‘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.
CONSTRUCTION:
65% pre-tax profit boost pays dividends for UK housebuilder
A UK developer has announced the return of its dividend to above pre-pandemic levels after a ‘significant’ increase in profits. Barratt Developments saw its pre-tax profits for the year ending June 30 rise by 65.1 per cent on the previous year.
The firm’s dividend for the period is 29.4p per share following a pause during the pandemic, and higher than its 2019 dividend of 29.1p. David Thomas, chief executive of Barratt Developments, commented: “We have made excellent progress this year thanks to the resilience, flexibility and hard work of our employees, sub-contractors and suppliers, who have also continued to deliver the highest standards of quality and service.”
Brick makers braced for 10% price hike
Leading brick makers are warning contractors of a further round of sharp price rises in the New Year. Manufacturer Wienerberger has become the latest to notify customers of an across the range rise of 10.3% on new orders and pre-orders awaiting dispatch on or after 1 January 2022. Wienerberger warned the planned price rises should cover expected increased production and investment costs but could not promise to cap the increase for next year. In a letter to customers the firm said: “We expect these prices will be sufficient to cover the confirmed cost increases we have already incurred during the year and, given the highly volatile outlook regarding cost developments, we will be closely reviewing how the situation evolves over the next months and hence reserve the right to further update our prices in 2022 should this be required.”
EDUCATION:
Covid: Schools aren’t infection hubs, says public health boss
Schools are not “drivers” or “hubs” of Covid infection, Public Health England’s medical director has said. Dr Yvonne Doyle said she understood parents’ nervousness about schools returning after the summer in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. She stressed that lots of measures to cut Covid spread remained in place. But Prof Calum Semple, a government scientific adviser, said with most adults vaccinated, schools were likely to be a “greater part of the problem”. Some have suggested a surge in cases in Scotland, where pupils returned in August, could be linked to schools. Fewer measures are in place in schools than during last term, with bubbles and masks no longer in use in England and Wales, while Northern Ireland has also scrapped social distancing requirements.
School-led tutoring grant
How schools and academy trusts should plan and deliver the national tutoring programme’s school-led tutoring to help pupils catch up on missed learning.
Early years inspection handbook
Ofsted guidance on inspecting registered early years and childcare providers under the education inspection framework.
HEALTH & WELLBEING:
Gym Group sees demand surge as young people go back to the gym
Young people strapped for space at home have helped to drive a “rapid recovery” in membership numbers at Gym Group. The gym operator said membership had jumped by a third since February as its sites reopened. Over two-thirds of its members are under the age of 34, and the company said many younger people lacked space to do home workouts. The chain, which operates 190 sites, aims to open 40 new gyms by the end of 2022 by converting former shops.
https://bdaily.co.uk/articles/2021/09/02/the-gym-group-bulks-up-with-plans-for-40-new-sites-to-support-rapid-recovery
Third primary COVID-19 vaccine dose for people who are immunosuppressed: JCVI advice
Statement from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) on the benefits of a third primary COVID-19 vaccine dose in individuals aged 12 years and over with severe immunosuppression.
Prevalence of ongoing symptoms following coronavirus (COVID-19) infection in the UK: 2 September 2021
Estimates of the prevalence of self-reported “long COVID” and associated activity limitation, using UK Coronavirus (COVID-19) Infection Survey data.
COVID-19 vaccination programme
Documents relating to the new coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination programme – added link to the MMR, MenACWY and COVID-19 vaccines communications toolkit for universities.
COVID-19 vaccination programme
Documents relating to the new coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination programme.
Weekly statistics for NHS Test and Trace (England)
Experimental statistics from the NHS Test and Trace service and related documents.
HOSPITALITY:
Greater Manchester’s night-time economy adviser critisises government over vaccine passports
Sacha Lord.The Government’s decision to press ahead with plans to introduce vaccine passports for nightclubs has been slammed by Greater Manchester’s night-time economy adviser, Sacha Lord. When the scheme comes into effect at the end of September, members of the public will be required to show proof of their vaccine status to gain entry to domestic venues and events. In a statement issued after the Government announced the decision, Mr Lord said it was “disappointing” and that “there remain countless unanswered questions around the implementation and legality of passports, and their discriminatory nature on those who are not eligible for medical reasons, or who choose not to have a vaccine”.
Thwaites cuts 170 jobs at height of pandemic
More than 170 jobs were lost at historic brewer and pub and hotel owner Daniel Thwaites during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic as its turnover slumped by £66m and it slid to a pre-tax loss. The Lancashire-headquartered firm, which has an estate of more than 300 freehold properties comprising pubs, inns, hotels and spas as well as its craft brewery, has reported a turnover of £32.2m for the 12 months to March 31, 2021, down from £98.1m. The company has also reported a pre-tax loss of £12.4m, compared to a profit of £3.6m during the previous financial year.
JUDICIARY:
Consultation on ‘COVID operating hours’ in Crown Courts
Seeking views on COVID operating hours as part of wider COVID-19 recovery plans in the Crown Court. The consultation closed at 11:45pm on 14 December 2020.
RETAIL:
Staycations help boost August footfall
New data has shown that August marked a turning point for UK retail footfall as the number of visits to retail locations declined by 18.6 per cent on 2019 levels compared to a drop of 24.2 per cent in July. Springboard revealed that this was the first time that footfall levels reduced to less than 20 per cent since the start of the pandemic. In addition to this, both high streets and shopping centres saw the gap decrease to below 25 per cent for the first time with respective falls of 23.5 per cent and 24 per cent, while retail park footfall was only below the level of two years ago at 2.4 per cent.
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 – Keele southbound open for COVID-19 testing and border readiness support from 12pm, Thursday 2 September.
TRAVEL:
Portugal relaxes Covid requirements for UK travel
Visitors no longer need to be fully vaccinated and only need to show a negative PCR or cheaper antigen/lateral flow test on entry. Visitors aged 12 or above must show they took their PCR test up to 72 hours before departing for Portugal, or took an antigen test up to 48 hours before departing. Children 11 or under do not need to show test proof or be vaccinated. PCR or antigen test certificates must show the ID or passport number for the visitor plus details of the issuing authority and authentication number.
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.
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