UK STATISTICS
Total UK Cases: 7,056,106 positive tests
Latest UK daily figure: 37,489 new cases
Number in UK hospital: 7,976 , 279 more than on previous day
New deaths across UK: 209
Total UK deaths: 133,483
England Cases per 100,000: 307
R number in UK: 0.9 to 1.1
Vaccine data:
Total 1st doses given: 48,292,811 – 88.8% of UK aged 16+
Total 2nd doses: 43,535,098 – 80.1%
Daily 1st doses: 22,698
Daily 2nd doses: 80,015
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 about 89% of people aged 16 and over have now had their first dose of a coronavirus vaccine and nearly 43 million and 80% aged 16 and over have had their second.
Latest Stockport data:
Total Stockport cases: 35,444 to 6 September
Cases in the latest week: 1150, 117 more than previous week
Total deaths: 750 to August 27th
Cases per 100,000: 391 per 100,000 week ending 3 September
R number in North West: 0.9 – 1.1
Stockport vaccine data:
1st dose: 85% of over 16s to 6 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:
Science & tedchnology leaders secure £113m government backing
The government has announced the science and technology research leaders who will benefit from £113 million funding to help bring their innovations to market.
97 researchers have been awarded funding for their projects, both within universities and the private sector, via the UK Research and Innovation’s (UKRI) flagship Future Leaders Fellowships scheme. Projects being supported include the development of four-legged all-terrain robots for use in construction and natural disasters, research into seizures, new therapies for autoimmune diseases and organic alternatives to replace rare metals in electronics. Funding will help research leaders pay for equipment and salaries to enable their work to progress further.
Covid spike fear as millions return to school
Millions of pupils have returned to classrooms in England and Wales, amid fears of a spike in Covid cases. Pre-term Covid testing is being used to limit infection, but rules on social distancing and face masks have gone. Scientists have warned of a rapid rise in school cases without such measures and experts have not recommended jabs for healthy 12 to 15-year-olds. Ministers want a return to normality, but cases are more than 30 times higher among children compared with last year.
In the week to 28 August, there were more than 300 Covid cases per 100,000 among five to 15-year-olds. This compares with less than 10 per 100,000 in the same week of 2020. Head teachers are hoping for a much smoother term but also want school safety measures to be kept under review.
Four in five people aged 16 and over vaccinated with both doses
New campaign launches targeting under-18s and their parents to encourage vaccine uptake, with ongoing support from TikTok and MTV
REGIONAL & LOCAL NEWS:
Kickstart Jobs Fair at Stockport Central Library
Stockport’s Central Library is to host a jobs fair, giving local employers the
opportunity to meet young jobseekers looking to Kickstart their career prospects.
The event aims to support the Kickstart scheme, a government initiative launched during the coronavirus pandemic to help under 25s into paid work experience placements. While the event at Central Library will be centred on the scheme, there will also be opportunities for employers to showcase full-time roles and other positions for young people offered through other schemes. The event takes place on Wednesday 22nd September from 12pm until 3pm, at Stockport’s Central Library on Wellington Road South in the town centre.
Greater Manchester digital technology businesses offered funding masterclass
Digital technology companies in Greater Manchester are being invited to a two-day masterclass to gain support to secure funding to develop innovations and accelerate the region’s growth. Fund Your Tech, developed by HOST, the Home of Skills & Technology at MediaCityUK, will bring together leading industry experts including InnovateUK Edge, Inventya and Counting King. The two-day innovation funding masterclass will focus on providing an understanding of the current landscape of grant funding and alternative finance options available to digital tech companies, along with practical workshops on how to access them. This includes guidance on grants for business R&D and innovation from InnovateUK for digital businesses, and specialist one-to-one funding support and advice. Fund Your Tech is open to Greater Manchester-based digital technology businesses with less than 250 full-time employees, a turnover of less than £43 million or a balance sheet of less than £37 million with the ambition to grow, innovate and scale up.
BUSINESS:
Hallidays share latest HMRC changes in financial news bulletin
Stockport accountancy practice, Hallidays, have shared the latest changes by HMRC to late payment rules, and reporting rules for digital marketplaces in the firm’s latest financial news bulletin for businesses.
HMRC outlines changes to late payment penalty regime
HMRC has published a policy paper outlining the forthcoming changes to the penalties for late payment and interest harmonisation for taxpayers.
Click here for the full story
Support schemes available as part of the UK Government’s Plan for Jobs.
This includes a reminder of the 14?? ?September deadline for submitting your August Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) claims, and information to help you prepare for the scheme closing on?? ?30?? ?September. To find out what other financial support may be available for you and your business during this time, search ‘find coronavirus financial support’ on GOV??.UK.
- Submit your CJRS claims for August
- Preparing for the end of the CJRS – frequently asked questions
- A word about scams
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’.
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.
NHS COVID Pass
How to get the NHS COVID Pass and demonstrate your coronavirus (COVID-19) status when travelling abroad and domestically at events and venues in England.
EDUCATION:
School suspensions and permanent exclusions
Guidance on the suspension and permanent exclusion of pupils from local-authority-maintained schools, academies and pupil referral units.
Responsibility for exams
Guidance for schools, colleges and exam centres on who should enter students for exams, the health arrangements for exams and the support DfE is providing.
EVENTS:
Live Events Reinsurance Scheme
The headline scheme rules have been published by DCMS.
HEALTH & WELLBEING:
Coronavirus and self-isolation after being in contact with a positive case in England: 9 to 16 August 2021
Behaviour of individuals required to self-isolate after being in contact with a positive case of COVID-19, from the COVID Test and Trace Contacts Insights Survey. Includes information on the impact of self-isolation on well-being and finances. Experimental Statistics.
Managing clinical trials during Coronavirus (COVID-19)
How investigators and sponsors should manage clinical trials during COVID-19
Assessment and procurement of coronavirus (COVID-19) tests
How the government assesses offers of COVID-19 tests from developers for procurement and use in the UK – updated ‘COVID-19 test approval – step 2: process for desktop review’ to explain the use of the full dynamic range data for the regulation assessment and add an email address to request TVG data.
MOTORS:
August sees sales boost for LCV market
The new light commercial vehicle market reported its second-best August on record in 2021, according to new figures. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said that 20,582 units were registered during the eighth month of the year. Compared to the pre-pandemic five-year average, the industry recorded a 21.1 per cent increase in new registrations.
PROPERTY:
The legacy of Covid – high house prices here to stay
The lifestyle changes triggered by the pandemic are likely to have a lasting effect on the housing market, pushing property prices permanently higher. That’s the view of the Halifax; its latest index shows that average home now costs £262,954, up 0.7 per cent from July and 7.1 per cent over 12 months. The typical home is now £23,600 more expensive than a year ago. Halifax managing director Russell Galley says these prices are here to stay: “Much of the impact from the stamp duty holiday has now left the market, as highlighted by the drop in transaction numbers compared to a year ago.”
RETAIL:
“Staycation trends” drive double digit growth for Halfords
Motor and cycling retailer Halfords has reported double digit growth despite “hugely challenging conditions”. In its results for the 20 weeks ending August 2021, the firm saw a 10.5 per cent growth in revenue. The company has attributed the growth to a rise in domestic holidays in the UK, and has seen a rise in demand for its mobile car servicing offering.
TRANSPORT:
Haulier coronavirus testing
To monitor the number of tests delivered and the positivity rate of the tests.
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.
TRAVEL:
Traffic light system could be ditched to simplify holidays
The traffic light system could be scrapped next month in favour of rules based on the Covid-19 vaccination status of travellers in a bid to simplify holidays. According to The Telegraph, the move will likely see the creation of a two-tiered system, with the amber and green lists merged to create a single category, and red to remain in place with travellers still required to quarantine in hotels on returning from high-risk destinations. It will mean that for fully vaccinated travellers, visiting amber or green countries will be the same, requiring only pre-departure tests and a PCR test within two days of returning to the UK.
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.
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