UK STATISTICS
Total UK Cases: 7,018,927 positive tests
Latest UK daily figure: 41,192 new cases
Number in UK hospital: 7,606, 25 more than on previous day
New deaths across UK: 45
Total UK deaths: 133,274
England Cases per 100,000: 307
R number in UK: 0.9 to 1.1
Vaccine data:
Total 1st doses given: 48,270,113 – nearly 89% of UK over 16s
Total 2nd doses: 43,455,083 – 79% of UK over 16s
Daily 1st doses: 21,795
Daily 2nd doses: 73,193
There have been more than 7 million confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK and almost 133,000 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 90m vaccine doses have been received across the UK and nearly 89% of people aged 16 and over have now had their first dose of a coronavirus vaccine and nearly 43 million, almost 80% aged 16 and over have had their second.
Latest Stockport data:
Total Stockport cases: 35,279 to 6 September
Cases in the latest week: 1130, 108 more than previous week
Total deaths: 750 to August 27th
Cases per 100,000: 384 per 100,000 week ending 2 September
R number in North West: 0.9 – 1.1
Stockport vaccine data:
1st dose: 85% of over 16s to 5 September
2nd dose: 78%
The R value and growth rate
The latest reproduction number (R) and growth rate of coronavirus (COVID-19) – the R range for England is 0.9 to 1.1 and the growth rate range for England is -2% to +2% per day as of 03 September 2021.
Slides, datasets and transcripts to accompany coronavirus press conferences
Updated with slides to accompany coronavirus press conferences
UK NEWS UPDATES:
Government deny October lockdown
The government has denied planning an October lockdown in England, after a newspaper report said the opposite. The i newspaper said plans had been drawn up to extend the school half-term holiday, if the number of hospitalisations continue at the current level. The i said a full lockdown was unlikely – but the government could introduce some rules as part of a “firebreak”. However the Department for Education said the report was “not true”.
Additional £5.4 billion for NHS COVID-19 response over next six months
Includes £1 billion to help tackle COVID-19 backlogs, delivering routine surgery and treatments for patients
Government to reveal plans in overhail of social care sector
Boris Johnson is set to announce reforms to social care alongside long-term funding arrangements to help the NHS respond to the Covid pandemic. And to cover the costs, the prime minister is expected to raise National Insurance (NI) by about 1.25% – breaking an election promise in the process. The government will not “duck the tough decisions needed” to help the NHS and fix England’s “broken” social care system, Mr Johnson will tell MPs. No 10 says costs of social care – helping older and disabled people with tasks such as washing, dressing and eating – can spiral under the current system, with one in seven people paying more than £100,000.
Low-carbon energy boost for England as government launches £270m green heat fund
The government has today announced a new £270m fund to boost low-carbon heat network projects across England. The Green Heat Network Fund, which will focus on heating for homes and businesses, will only support low-carbon technologies like heat pumps, solar and geothermal energy. The fund aims to enable more towns and cities to implement low-carbon heating systems from 2022 onwards, driving the government’s ambition to phase out the use of fossil fuel boilers. Heat networks, which draw energy from a central source, could use recovered urban heat – such as the heat from the London Underground – without producing more by-products and emissions. Heat in buildings currently accounts for around 21 per cent of the UK’s carbon emissions.
JCB heir launches £1bn hydrogen investment fund to support UK’s green revolution Entrepreneur and heir to the JCB fortune Jo Bamford has announced a new billion pound fund to support the UK’s net zero targets. Jo has joined forces with multi-family office Vedra Partners to launch HYCAP, a hydrogen investment fund which has set its sights on raising £1bn. The capital, which already stands at more than £200m after the first round of investment, will be injected largely into UK businesses, with the focus on speeding-up green hydrogen production and supply, creating jobs and contributing to the Government’s Net Zero targets. Jo commented: “With the Government’s relentless pursuit of Net Zero targets and the publication of the damning IPCC report, it is our belief that hydrogen holds the key to reducing emissions – and there is a growing sense of urgency to act now.”
REGIONAL & LOCAL NEWS:
GM signs agreement with Germany’s Metropole Ruhr Region
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has signed a new cooperation agreement with Germany’s most populous metropolitan region following a visit by city-region leaders to the nation this week. In a trip on 2-3 September, a delegation from Greater Manchester including Mayor Andy Burnham and Stockport Council Leader Cllr Elise Wilson agreed a partnership with the Metropole Ruhr region of North-Rhine Westphalia to strengthen economic and cultural ties between the two city-region’s. The visit took place as part of the 75th anniversary of the founding of the German state of North-Rhine Westphalia, which was established by the British in the aftermath of World War Two.
Stockport infection rates rise by 11% to 384.1 per 100,000
Coronavirus infection rates have gone up in five Greater Manchester boroughs and have fallen in five, the latest data shows. The latest Public Health England data shows that transmission rates have risen in Tameside, Stockport, Trafford, Bury and Wigan. There were 1130 positive tests over the last week in Stockport which is 108 more than in the previous week. Read the full article
Mobile pop-up vaccination clinics take in 6 new venues aimed at students
The weekly pop-up vaccination clinic will be encouraging Stockport students to get their Covid jab when they start college, with mobile vaccination vans at colleges across the borough this week.Mobile vaccination vans will be at Aquinas College, Marple Sixth Form College and St Peter’s Square in the town centre, on Thursday, 9 September. Then Cheadle Sixth Form College, Stockport College and Adswood Community Centre on Friday, 10 September. The vans will be open from 10am to 3pm. The walk-in locations, which are convenient for students, will offer the Pfizer jab for 16-17 year olds first and those aged 18-40. Adults over 40 can receive Oxford Astra Zeneca or Pfizer, subject to eligibility. Second doses can be given if eight weeks (56 days) have passed since receiving the first dose.
Manchester Arndale welcomes new quality brands
Manchester Arndale has revealed the signing of Kurt Geiger, Carvela and a new flagship Sky shop. Combined, the trio of tenants will occupy 8,133 sq ft in the centre. Kurt Geiger, which has been designing for more than 50 years creating handbag and shoe styles for men and women, will be opening a 2,195 sq ft store. Carvela will occupy a 2,447 sq ft unit. It is a sister brand of Kurt Geiger and has a range of styles and accessories, including trainers, heels and ankle boots along with bags, phone cases and sunglasses. Sky will also be opening its biggest ever shop, bringing together its mobile, broadband and TV products under one roof, with advisers and bespoke areas.
BUSINESS:
Claim for wages through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
Claim for some of your employee’s wages if you have put them on furlough or flexible furlough because of coronavirus (COVID-19) – info updated in section ‘When the government ends the scheme’.
How to assess the use and risks of telephone surveys for monitoring, evaluation and research during COVID-19
Guidance for organisations to assess the appropriateness and risks of conducting telephone surveys during the COVID-19 pandemic, as part of research, monitoring and evaluation activity.
COMMUNITY:
Test and Trace Support Payment scheme privacy notice
Information on how and why personal data may be used in the Test and Trace Support Payment scheme – updated to reflect the change to isolation criteria that came into effect on 16 August, the additional requirement to collect and process data relating to vaccination status and the removal of DWP from list of data processors.
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: infection prevention and control (IPC)
Guidance on infection prevention and control for COVID-19. Sustained community transmission is occurring across the UK.
CONSTRUCTION:
Glenigan reports North-West costruction awards up by 26% on previous 3 months
Glenigan’s regional league table of underlying main contract awards (under £100 million) identifies the top performing regions to focus on for new construction work.
Data of all main contracts awarded in the three months to the end of July identifies that Wales achieved the top spot with an increase of 196% compared to last year and 75% ahead of the previous three months. Read the full report
Threat of strike by cement drivers add to materials woes
The 200 plus lorry drivers and engineers, who are members of Unite, have rejected a pay offer of 2.5% for this year. Unite added that “the workforce is deeply unhappy about the high-handed management style and a marked lack of dignity at work.” Drivers deliver dry cement to major sites and merchants across the country.
The ballot will open on Friday 10 September and close on Friday 23 September. If members vote for strike action industrial action could begin this October.
EVENTS:
Live Events Reinsurance Scheme
The headline scheme rules have been published by DCMS.
HEALTH & WELLBEING:
COVID-19: migrant health guide
Advice and guidance for healthcare practitioners on the health needs of migrant patients – added guidance about charging for hospital treatment of any secondary or subsequent illness, including long COVID.
COVID-19 vaccine surveillance report published
National coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine surveillance report, including estimated number of hospitalisations and deaths prevented.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Infection Survey, UK: 3 September 2021
Estimates for England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland. This survey is being delivered in partnership with University of Oxford, University of Manchester, Public Health England, and Wellcome Trust.
MOTORS:
August slump in sales of new cars
UK new car registrations fell by more than 20 per cent during August, according to new figures. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said that 68,033 units were registered during the eighth month of the year, down 22 per cent on August 2020. The monthly performance was the weakest since August 2013, and down 7.6 per cent against the average recorded over the last decade. However, demand for the latest battery electric (BEV), hybrid (HEV) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) vehicles surged by 32.2 per cent, 45.7 per cent and 72.1 per cent respectively.
Read more at Insider
PROPERTY:
Bumper end of year likely dispite summer sales dip
Newly instructed properties across the country dropped by 10 per cent in August compared to July’s numbers, according to Homesearch. The company, which focuses its services on helping agents target specific homes to win instructions, says new sales instructions were down eight per cent month on month, while new lettings instructions were down a higher 14 per cent.
Pets allowed in rental development as momentum grows for reform
A new idea put forward by a student-focussed Build To Rent operator is likely to increase the momentum behind campaigners wanting pets to be allowed in private rental properties. The specialist student accommodation provider is to allow pets into one of its schemes – apparently to improve the mental health and well-being amongst residents. The purpose-built student accommodation scheme called Future Generation – built in Guildford, by Southern Grove – has 533 units is to allow pets to new residents who move in as the academic term begins in the next few weeks.
RETAIL:
Insider: Reduction in retail stores slows across the North
There has been a reduction in the number stores across the north in the first six months of 2021, but the decline has slowed, according to new research. In total, 865 shops opened in the region, compared to 2046 closures, PwC research compiled by the Local Data Company (LDC) has shown. However, the number of closures has fallen by 27 per cent from 2,823 in 2020, the data has revealed. The figures covered the North West, Yorkshire & Humber and North East.
CORONAVIRUS GRANTS FOR BUSINESSES IN STOCKPORT:
Discretionary Grants summary:
As at 29/07/2021
- Received: 2,911
- Processed: 2,911 (100%)
- Grants Funding Issued: £10,843,331
Restart Grants summary:
Grant allocation: £14,652,603
Number of businesses eligible: 1,845
Number received a grant: 1,799
Total value of payments made: £12,823,488
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.