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Additional Restrictions Grant Discretionary grant scheme – Applications are now closed: Funds for the Additional Restrictions Grant Discretionary grant scheme have been allocated and applications for the scheme are now closed
UK NEWS UPDATES:
Prime Minister sets out plan for Living with Covid
- Vaccines will remain the first line of defence against Covid-19 as the Prime Minister sets out the Government’s plans to live with and manage the virus.
Over 31 million boosters have been administered across England and almost 38 million UK wide helping break the link between infections and hospitalisations. - In the Spring, the Government will offer an additional booster to all adults aged over 75, all residents in care homes for older adults, and all over 12s who are immunosuppressed.
Domestic restrictions end on Thursday Februray 24th;
- while encouraging safer behaviours through public health advice, covid will be treated in common with other infectious illnesses such as flu
- The legal requiement to self isolate ends
- Self-isolation support payments ends
- Routine contract tracing ends
- Fully vaccinated adults and those under 18 are no longer advised to self-isolate
- Staff and students in education and childcare settings will not need to take twice-weekly asymptomatic testing
From April, advice and steps will be published to protect the vulnerable through pharmaceutical interventions and testing, in line with other viruses
- Free testing will end
- Maintaining resilience against future variants, including through ongoing surveillance, contingency planning and the ability to reintroduce key capabilities such as mass vaccination and testing in an emergency
- Securing innovations and opportunities from the COVID-19 response, including investment in life sciences
REGIONAL & LOCAL NEWS:
Stockport County secure 250-year lease for Edgeley Park
Stockport County Football Club can set out its long-term future goals and aspirations having secured a 250-year lease for Edgeley Park Stockport Council, subject to approval by the Council’s Cabinet on 15th March. The new lease agreement safeguards the long-term home of the Club and paves the way for future investment.
Since the Club takeover in January 2020, investment into infrastructure exceeds £3M with improvements to the pitch, upgraded conference and events facilities, new seating, and training facilities.
New Green innovation fund to help SMEs achieve sustainability goals
A new green innovation fund has been launched to support North West SMEs with Net Zero projects. Businesses, charities and social enterprises can get up to 60 per cent funding towards projects worth £25,000 to help them bring forward sustainable products, processes or services. The £400,000 grant scheme is managed by Eco-I North West (NW), a £14m research and development programme.
Health Club Group targets growth despite pandemic dip in turnover
Total Fitness Health Clubs, based in Wilmslow, operates a chain of 15 health clubs in the UK, known as Total Fitness. For the 18-month period to 30 June 2021, the business reported turnover of £26.6m, a decrease from £37.3m in the 12 months ended 31 December 2019. The company posted an operating loss of £8.3m compared to £821,000 in the prior period, according to its strategic report.
In a statement, Jasvir Sanghera, chief financial officer at Total Fitness, said its performance had been impacted by the situation the UK fitness industry faced during the pandemic and enforced closures. However, Sanghera was “happy” with the current performance of the business and looking forward to a “positive” year ahead.
Have your say on your local NHS services
Stockport NHS Foundation Trust are working alongside East Cheshire NHS Trust and local Clinical Commissioning Groups to understand how some health and care services could be improved and sustained in the future. A six-week listening exercise launched on Monday 21st February 2022 to gather opinions from health and care staff, patients, carers, and local people on what currently works well, what could be improved, and whether there are any barriers that stop people from accessing health services in the area. The survey, which closes on Saturday 2nd April covers a wide range of services Stockport businesses invited to showcase vacancies and meet job seekers
Stockport businesses are invited to showcase their live vacancies and meet with active jobseekers at sector-specific jobs fairs hosted by Stockport Jobs Match during National Careers Week (7th to 12th March). The free service, which matches job opportunities with people looking for working in the borough, is looking for local businesses to take part in the events, taking place at 10am to 12pm, from 7th to 11th March at Kingsgate House on the A6 is Stockport.
SECTOR SPECIFIC CORONAVIRUS-RELATED NEWS:
BUSINESS:
If you need to self-isolate or cannot attend work due to coronavirus
From 24 February, you’ll no longer be legally required to self-isolate if you test positive for COVID-19 or if you’re an unvaccinated close contact of someone who’s tested positive.
Employers who have claimed through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
Monthly data on claims made by employers through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.
Coronavirus (COVID-19): right to work checks
Advice for employers carrying out right to work checks during the coronavirus pandemic – guidance updated to reflect the extended end date for the temporary adjusted checking process is now 30 September 2022
COMMUNITY:
Finding and choosing a private coronavirus (COVID-19) test provider
Lists of and information about private test providers, to help you get the private COVID-19 tests you need – updated the general list of providers.
CONSTRUCTION:
Buy-to-rent set to boom
The development of new homes build-to-rent (BTR) is set to provide a boom for construction companies. The last quarterly report by the British Property Federation found there are now 212,177 build-to-rent homes in the UK. This comprises 70,785 completed units plus 42,119 under construction and another 99,273 in the planning pipeline. Glenigan’s construction industry research has identified many of these BTR schemes moving through the development cycle, which will provide a host of opportunities.
EDUCATION:
Alternative provision: year 11 transition funding
Sets out the financial support available to alternative provision (AP) schools and colleges to support current year 11 students into post-16 education.
Higher education providers: coronavirus (COVID-19)
Updated to reflect the end of the asymptomatic testing programme. Reference made to UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) guidance on contact tracing and isolation which comes into effect from Thursday 24 February 2022.
HEALTH & WELLBEING:
JCVI advises a spring COVID-19 vaccine dose for the most vulnerable
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has advised an additional spring booster dose for the most vulnerable individuals in the population.
JUDICIARY / LEGAL:
PROPERTY:
SPORT:
TRAVEL:
Covid passports to remain into the summer
Boris Johnson told parliament Covid certification would no longer be needed domestically from 1 April but added the NHS app would remain for international travel. Johnson made no mention of passenger locator forms in his speech, but responding to a question, said the government was “certainly reviewing it by Easter”. Earlier, transport secretary Grant Shapps said he hoped the PLF would be “significantly simplified” in time for the Easter holidays. He also announced a programme of spring booster jabs for the over-75s and vulnerable people.
GOV & BBC UK daily coronavirus data:
There have been 18.5 million confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK and 160,000 people have died, government figures show. Over 52.5 million people have now received a first dose of the vaccine, 91% of people in the UK aged 12 and over. More than 48 million, 85% have had their second and more than 37 million, 66% have had a booster.
*Government case figures now include people in England and Northern Ireland who have tested positive for a second time – after at least a 90-day gap – rather than just first infections.
Total UK Cases: 18,546,205 positive tests
Latest UK daily figure: 47,685 new cases
Number in UK hospital: 11,555 (181 less than on previous day)
New deaths across UK: 158
Total UK deaths: 160,379
England Cases per 100,000: 506
R number in UK: 0.8-1.1
Vaccine data:
Total 1st doses given: 52,551,460 – 91% of UK aged 12+
Total 2nd doses: 85%
Daily 1st doses: 9,254
Daily 2nd doses: 21,378
Daily Booster doses: 34,578
The R value and growth rate
The latest reproduction number (R) and growth rate of coronavirus (COVID-19).
The R range for England is 0.8 to 1.0; the growth rate for England is -3% to +0% per day as of 11 February
Latest Stockport coronavirus data:
Total Stockport cases: 90,092 to 18 February
Cases in the latest week: 1,006 (641 less compared with previous week)
Total deaths: 848 to February 4th
Cases per 100,000: 342 per 100,000 (8 to 14 Feb)
Stockport vaccine data:
1st dose: 86% of over 12s to 16 February
2nd dose: 82%
3rd / booster dose: 65%
Covid-19 Webinars:
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:
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.
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.
Research finds Covid-19 has not fundamentally changed the UK labour market 
Government sets out ‘Living with COVID’ next steps from 1st April 
Manchester Airport announces phased reopening of Terminal Three