Latest UK data:
Positive tests: 338,676 have tested positive (+ 1,508 new cases)
Loss of life: *41,514 across all settings (+ 10 in last 24 hours)
Cases in Stockport: 27 cases 23 Aug – 29 Aug (-10 on previous week)
Cases in Stockport: 9 per 100,000 (England area average is 8)
Deaths in Stockport: 361 registered to 21st August (+2 from last week)
Total cases in Stockport: 2,000 to 02 September
*Daily reported COVID deaths are now measured across the UK as deaths that occurred within 28 days of the first laboratory-confirmed positive COVID test
The R number and growth rate in the UK
The latest reproduction number (R) and growth rate of coronavirus (COVID-19) in the UK. The R number range for the UK is 0.9-1.1 and the growth rate range is -2% to +1% per day as of 28 August 2020.
Coronavirus cases in the UK: daily updated statistics
The latest number of coronavirus (COVID-19) tests, cases and deaths in the UK. The way deaths are reported is based on a 28-day limit between the date of a positive lab-confirmed test and date of death.
UK HEADLINES:
A national bar and restaurant chain has reported that a government scheme has helped to increase its sales by nearly 20 per cent.
Revolution Bars Group, which operates Revolution and Revolucion de Cuba venues across the UK, saw a 17.5 per cent increase in sales during the four weeks that the government’s ‘Eat Out To Help Out’ (EOTHO) scheme was running. Since resuming trading in July, the group reached comparable venue sales that were 72.5 per cent of last year, with sales at 60 per cent throughout July, and 77.5 per cent in August.
BBC: Coronavirus testing rationed amid outbreaks
The government says areas with fewer coronavirus cases have had their testing capacity reduced in order to cope with outbreaks elsewhere. One testing specialist describes it as a “pragmatic move” to focus resources where they are most needed. However, others warn it could put people off getting tested, or may mean a spike in infections in an area with low rates is missed – a particular concern with people returning from holiday and children back at school.
£500 million funding for quick result COVID-19 test trials
A new £500 million funding package will be invested in next generation testing technology and increased testing capacity.
Coronavirus and the latest indicators for the UK economy and society: 3 September 2020
Early experimental data on the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) on the UK economy and society. These faster indicators are created using rapid response surveys, novel data sources and experimental methods.
LOCAL / REGIONAL NEWS & UPDATES:
GMCA publish Greater Manchester Living with Covid Resilience Plan
The one-year Plan recognises that the pandemic is still ongoing in Greater Manchester and is likely to be so for some time. However Greater Manchester has been clear that the building back better phase of responding to Covid needs to start now. The plan therefore begins to outline how Greater Manchester will respond to the disproportionate impact Covid has had on people’s lives and businesses, how to recover and build resilience and what support vulnerable communities will still need.
Leader of Stockport Council and Greater Manchester Economy Portfolio Lead, Cllr Elise Wilson, said:
Greater Manchester is facing one of the most difficult periods in our lifetime with Covid-19 creating significant and large scale challenges to our economy. The hospitality, leisure and tourism industries are facing particularly severe impacts and we know some businesses in other sectors are in a bad shape. We’ve already been working hard to help our businesses safely re-open and the Living with Covid Resilience Plan identifies further action that we need to take to support Greater Manchester move forward over the coming year whilst living with Covid.
“The new reality is that the virus will continue to be with us and we need to learn to live with it. We need to adapt our way of life to keep people safe, help our economy recover, create secure jobs that pay a fair wage and give our future generations something to hope for.”
The Living with Covid Plan provides a bridge between the existing Greater Manchester Strategy and the refresh now due to take place next year. The Plan is the start of the city-region’s journey in building back better – an action-led short term plan rather than a long term strategy. It will be delivered by local government, health, transport, police, the voluntary community and social enterprise sector and the private sector.
Challenge ahead for North West as growth expected to contract
The continuing impact of the Covid-19 pandemic is expected to see economic growth across the North West contract further than previously thought, according to new data. Concerns have also been raised that the next six months could prove to be the ‘greatest challenge’. KPMG UK’s latest quarterly Economic Outlook has reassessed how the landscape could look at the end of the year, having previously predicted a 7.6 per cent dip in June. This has now been downgraded to a 9.4 per cent contraction. However, growth in the North West could pick up to 8.2 per cent next year if a vaccine is rolled out by April, with the economy reaching pre-Covid levels by early 2023.
North West transport: Early indications from September’s first rush hours are that trains, buses and city centres are getting busier
Transport and business organisations from across the North West have revealed whether Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s claim that people are returning in “huge numbers to the office” is starting to come true.
The Government made the claim amid its drive to stop people working from home – before saying it could not yet provide data to back up the assertion. However, be it through pupils returning to school this week or indeed commuters coming back to offices, North West transport leaders say they have noticed an increase in passenger numbers in the first few rush hours of September.
Heatons Climate Action Festival taking place this month.
‘Sustainable Living in the Heatons’ have organised a four-day online festival, the Heatons Climate Action Festival, to both challenge and inspire you if you are curious about climate change – or want to do more. It takes place over the weekends on 12/13 and 19/20 September and each event will be available as a recording afterwards. The festival includes a debate with local business owners and Mark Glynn, Director of Place for SMBC; a session featuring local retail businesses; how to deal with food and plastic waste, why Electric Vehicles are the future; advice on the Green Homes Grant and more.
Bolton and Trafford to remain under existing restrictions
Statement from Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock on Bolton and Trafford now remaining under existing coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions:
“Following a significant change in the level of infection rates over the last few days, a decision has been taken that Bolton and Trafford will now remain under existing restrictions.
“This decision has been made in collaboration with local leaders after reviewing the latest data. We continually monitor outbreaks across the country, and have seen infection rates increase more than 3 times in Bolton in under a week, and double in Trafford since the last review.
“We have always been clear we will take swift and decisive action where needed to contain outbreaks. We can bring the rates down if we continue to work together and I urge everyone to continue to play their part by following the rules – get tested if you have symptoms, self-isolate and practise social distancing.”
Restrictions in Trafford and Bolton will remain, meaning residents cannot meet people outside their bubbles either indoors in homes or in gardens. The latest data for Bolton shows the weekly incidence rate is now at 66.6 cases per 100,000 people on 30 August. This compares to 18.9 per 100,000 people between 17 August and 23 August. This data is subject to revision and may be revised up in future releases. Latest data for Trafford shows weekly incidence at 36.8 cases per 100,000 people on 30 August. This compares to 17.8 per 100,000 people between 17 Aug and 23 August.
North of England: local restrictions
Find out what you can and cannot do if you live, work or travel in areas of the north of England – updated with more detailed information on affected local areas and following decision that Bolton and Trafford will not have restrictions lifted from 2 September.
As Stockport’s business community prepares for recovery post-coronavirus, a group of business leaders from the town have collaborated with Stockport Council to launch a new website – skbusinessrecovery.co.uk to support businesses through the phases of recovery.
Stockport businesses grant funding payments:
Main Grant Scheme:
Stockport Council have now administered a total of 5,412 grants bringing the total amount paid to £62,147,500 and bringing the total to 98.8% of those identified as eligible as at 11/03/2020.
Local Authority Discretionary Grant funding scheme
Status of LAD Payments to date:
Applications: 791 Payments: £1,943,000
By working in collaboration, Stockport can become united and encouraged to build a better future for everyone by supporting the local economy, connecting communities and promoting health & wellbeing. Find out more at www.onestockport.co.uk
Stockport – is your business open for business?
Is your business in Stockport? Are you ‘open for business’? Whatever your business, we want to support you. And it’s free! Follow the link, fill in the form and we will add you to our directory:
CLEAN AIR:
GM Clean Air Plan:
Following the publication of a report on the GM Clean Air Plan consultation, Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) is hosting a round table meeting for local businesses on 3rd September. Click here for more information and to sign up
COMMUNITY:
Meeting people from outside your household
How you can see people that you do not live with while protecting yourself and others from coronavirus (COVID-19) – added information on fines for participating in or holding an illegal gathering of over 30 people.
Coronavirus outbreak FAQs: what you can and can’t do
Frequently asked questions on what you can and can’t do during the coronavirus outbreak – added guidance on face coverings
Supporting people outside of their home
For people who need support when outside their home and people who provide this support during coronavirus (COVID-19).
CREATIVE:
Greater Manchester – Final call for fully funded programme
The application page is open for the Greater Manchester Creative Scale Up programme’s final pilot business cohort. Businesses selected for the programme will receive a fully funded virtual business support package, including mentoring opportunities, one 2 one support, training and workshops tailored to your businesses. This programme is especially relevant now and will help you to respond to current sector challenges as well as put in place a strategy towards long term resilience and re-growth. It will help you plan for the future, develop a strategy for recovery and growth as well as arming you with all the tools needed to scale up, access investment and grow when we start to move forward after the COVID-19 crisis. Applications close for the last cohort on 25th September 2020.
To be eligible for the programme, businesses need to:
- Be a Creative Industries business – such as: Advertising & Marketing; Architecture; Arts & Culture; Craft; Createch; Design; Fashion; Gaming; Music; Publishing; TV & Film
- Be based in Greater Manchester
- Have grown by 10% in the last year (turnover or employees)
- Have a minimum of 4 employees
- Have not received more than €200,000 in government funded business supporin the last 2 years
This is a £1.3 million Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) funded pilot programme which will be delivered virtually over a 6-month period to support businesses in the creative industries sector to grow whilst encouraging investment into the sector. Please apply by clicking here: https://www.businessgrowthhub.com/creative-scale-up-programme/sign-up
To watch the promotional videos and learn more please see: https://www.businessgrowthhub.com/creative-scale-up-programme/
EDUCATION:
Coronavirus (COVID-19): initial teacher training (ITT)
Information for providers about managing initial teacher training courses impacted by the coronavirus (COVID-19) – updated the C1.2 degree entry requirements and the 120 days in schools and early years ITT sections.
Education plans from September 2020
Guidance for education providers about Ofsted’s phased return to inspection – added links to guidance on interim activity for state-funded schools, independent schools and further education and skills providers.
Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance for boarding schools with international students
Guidance for residential educational settings with international students under the age of 18 entering and travelling to the UK.
Letter from PHE and NHS Test and Trace to school and college leaders
The Medical Director of Public Health England and Chief Medical Adviser of NHS Test and Trace have written to school and college leaders.
EMPLOYERS / BUSINESS / FINANCE:
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.
HMRC Webinars:
Extension to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and flexible furloughing
HMRC provide an overview of the scheme, including flexible furloughing, examples of how to work out the amount you can claim and the changes for September and October. They also share information on the Job Retention Bonus, including how to check if you’re eligible. Choose a date and time
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme:
– more dates have now been added. Get the latest information on:
- who can claim
- who you can claim for
- how to make a claim
- what you may be entitled to, and more.
Choose a date and time
You can ask questions during all our live webinars using the on-screen text box.
HMRC webinars are constantly updated to provide the latest government guidance on changes as they develop.
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.
Self-Employment Income Support Scheme statistics: August 2020
The number of individuals claiming the SEISS grant up to 31 July 2020 by age, gender, industry sector and geography.
The Kickstart Scheme:
Kickstart Scheme
The Kickstart Scheme provides funding to employers to create job placements for 16 to 24 year olds.
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.
Check if you can apply for a grant as a representative of a group of employers through the Kickstart Scheme
If you are considering becoming a representative for a group of employers, check what information you need to provide to apply for a grant through the Kickstart Scheme.
Check if you can apply for a grant through the Kickstart Scheme
If you are an employer looking to create job placements for young people, check if you can apply for funding as part of the Kickstart Scheme.
Apply for a grant through the Kickstart Scheme
If you are an employer looking to create jobs placements for young people, apply for funding as part of the Kickstart Scheme.
Kickstart Scheme: promotional materials
Use these materials to promote the Kickstart Scheme to employers and potential job placement participants.
HEALTH CARE & WELLBEING:
Coronavirus (COVID-19): providing home care
Information for those providing personal care to people living in their own home during the coronavirus outbreak – added a new section on how home care providers can support the NHS Test and Trace service. Updated links to hospital discharge service guidance.
Coronavirus (COVID-19): admission and care of people in care homes
How to protect care home residents and staff during the coronavirus outbreak – added a new section on how care homes can support the NHS Test and Trace service.
COVID-19: background information
Information on COVID-19 including epidemiology, virology and clinical features – updated global case numbers.
PHE data series on deaths in people with COVID-19: technical summary
A summary of the PHE data series on deaths in people with COVID-19, outlining what the changes mean and how the data compare to other COVID-19 death data series.
Demographic data for coronavirus testing (England): 28 May to 26 August
Information on testing for coronavirus (COVID-19) by different demographic groups under NHS Test and Trace.
NHS Test and Trace (England) and coronavirus testing (UK) statistics: 20 August to 26 August 2020
Experimental statistics for weeks 1 to 13 of NHS Test and Trace contact tracing in England and coronavirus testing (UK).
NHS Test and Trace statistics (England): methodology
How the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) puts together the contact tracing data in its weekly reports – updated to include more detail about coronavirus (COVID-19) testing in the UK.
HOSPITALITY / LEISURE:
Claim money back through the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme
Find out how to claim the reimbursement for discounts given to diners with the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme. The Eat Out to Help Out Scheme closed on 31 August 2020 – the page updated with removal of registration links.
LOCAL AUTHORITY:
OPSS coronavirus (COVID-19) guidance for business and local authorities
Guidance on how OPSS – Office for Product Safety and Standards – is supporting businesses and local authorities and protecting consumers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Version 4 of the guidance for businesses on the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Regulations, version 6 of the guidance for new high-volume manufacturers of PPE and version 3 of the guidance for businesses and individuals on the small-scale manufacture of PPE published, amended to take account of the new guidance on Recommendation 2020/403 issued by the European Commission. The main changes set out the role of the market surveillance authority in approving COVID-19 related PPE before it can be placed on the UK market, and clarify that non CE marked PPE cannot be placed on the EU market.
PROPERTY:
Leading agent: Record house prices likely to go higher still
Record house prices recorded this week by the Nationwide index are set to go higher still according to a leading agent. Nationwide says rose two per cent month-on-month in August after taking account of seasonal factors. This means the average UK house price rose to £224,123, up from £220,935 in July.
“The Nationwide data continues the trend noticed in July with the property market emerging strongly from lockdown. In fact, property prices accelerated in August – they began to take into account not only pent-up demand but the stamp duty holiday announced in July” explains former RICS residential chairman and London agency owner Jeremy Leaf.
BBC: Mortgage deals plummet as lenders play safe
Just 24 hours after a report declaring house prices to be at an all-time high – see article above – analysis shows the number of low-deposit mortgages available to borrowers has plummeted. Financial information company Moneyfacts says just 60 deals are available to borrowers with a 10% deposit, compared with 779 in March, as lenders get stricter amid fears of defaults. Some are refusing to consider applications from people on furlough, or without a return-to-work date, while there is greater scrutiny on the finances of the self-employed.
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, published every Wednesday.
TRAVEL:
Coronavirus (COVID-19): jobs that qualify for travel exemptions
Jobs that qualify for exemptions from self-isolation or passenger locator form requirements – update to exemption for seafarers.
Covid-19 webinars:
Help and support if your business is affected by coronavirus (COVID-19)
The YouTube video about how to participate in the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme has been amended and information about what has changed for parents – Self-Employment Income Support Scheme, has been added.
Make your workplace COVID-secure:
You can find recordings of webinars covering other types of workplace here
HMRC:
Coronavirus COVID-19 Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme:
Providing an overview of the scheme, this webinar looks at who can claim, when to start paying SSP, employees you can claim for, making a claim, keeping records, and more. Choose a date and time
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.
Twice weekly: EnterprisingYou
Finance support for the self-employed webinars For info about latest webinar date announcements please visit the website https://enterprising-you.co.uk/latest-news/
ACAS
A series of courses to help businesses with transition from lockdown
Useful information and links:
Stockport nominated in the Smart City category in the Digital Leaders awards.
Vote for Stockport HERE. Voting closes at 12 noon on Friday 28th August, with the winners announced on the 15th of October.
New 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.
Coronavirus outbreak FAQs: what you can and can’t do
Frequently asked questions on what you can and can’t do during the coronavirus outbreak – guidance updated in line with new regulations coming into force on 4 July
Business Survey:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dcms-coronavirus-impact-business-survey/dcms-business-survey-headline-measures
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.
Applications Now Open for the Local Authority Discretion Fund. Businesses that had been eligible for the Self-Employment Income Support are also now eligible for the LA Discretionary Business Grant.
Apply for the coronavirus Future Fund
The Future Fund will provide UK Government loans to UK-based companies ranging from £125,000 to £5 million, subject to at least equal match funding from private investors.
Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme set to launch
Employers will be able to make claims through the Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme from 26 May.
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
Government – Setting out of Road Map to recovery – 11th May 2020
Our plan to rebuild: The UK Government’s 60 page COVID-19 recovery strategy
The UK Government’s COVID-19 recovery strategy. The strategy sets out a cautious roadmap to easing existing measures in a safe and measured way, subject to successfully controlling the virus and being able to monitor and react to its spread.Stockport Council has launched a FREE job matching website to help 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
Coronavirus Act 2020: status
A table setting out the status of each measure in the Coronavirus Act 2020.
Government – Financial Support
New 100% government backed loan scheme for small business
Stockport Council – Health & Mental Well-being https://www.stockport.gov.uk/showcase/coronavirus
Government – Financial Support
CBILS – A guide to whether it may be the best options for a business
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.businesssupport.gov.uk/coronavirus-business-support/
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
Bank of England – Financial Support: https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/news/2020/march/the-covid-corporate-financing-facility
Stockport Council Grant scheme:
https://www.stockport.gov.uk/business-rates-support-measures
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
UK Lockdown – Further businesses to close and exceptions: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/874732/230320_-_Revised_guidance_note_-_finalVF
Business Growth Hub:
www.businessgrowthhub.com/coronavirus https://www.businessgrowthhub.com/coronavirus/resources/2020/03/coronavirus-business-support-webinar-series
Food & Drink – advice and guidance:
https://marketingstockport.co.uk/news/food-delivery-and-takeaway-guidance-for-food-businesses-looking-to-diversify/
Health – updates from NHS
https://www.england.nhs.uk/news/
Health– Shielding the most vulnerable
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19
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.
Health – the big white wall
The Big White Wall offers 24/7 anonymous support via a digital emotional wellbeing and mental health service, offering peer support for anyone over the age of 16, support from trained clinicians alongside a range of helpful tools and resources.
Media and Marketing:
Prolific North are publishing daily updates on their blog as to how Covid-19 is impacting on the marketing, media and technology industries
Travel:
https://media.northernrailway.co.uk/news/coronavirus-travel-information
Recruitment: – DWP and Universal Credit http://news.dwp.gov.uk/dwplz/lz.aspx?p1=MQsDU1NjQ5MlM2OTA0OjNCNDJBOEZCRTJDOUJEOTc1ODQ0RTRCRDNDNzk4QUNF-&CC=&p=0
Retail: An update form British Retail Consortium
https://brc.org.uk/news/corporate-affairs/coronavirus-latest-retailer-activity/
Employment: – Stockport Jobs Match
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.
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.
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