!! Important update: 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:
National house builder publishes “strong” annual performance
Bellway has issued a Trading Update for the six months ended January 31, 2022, ahead of its Interim Results announcement in March 2022. The Group is benefitting from ongoing investment in land to facilitate further growth in the years ahead, with 8,660 plots contracted (2021 – 8,848 plots), across 45 sites (2021 – 54 sites), at attractive rates of return. The average selling price rose by 2.8 per cent to £311,800 (2021 – £303,206) and is now expected to be over £300k for the full financial year (July 31, 2021 – £306,479), an improvement compared to previous guidance, driven by mix and pricing benefits. Market conditions and customer confidence are strong. Our substantial order book and land bank provide a solid platform for volume growth and improving margin in the current financial year and beyond.
REGIONAL & LOCAL NEWS:
Manchester Digital completes annual skills audit
The Manchester Digital Skills Audit is an audit of over 250 digital and technology businesses. This annual body of research has been the catalyst behind many of the region’s industry-led endeavours to understand and then address the skills shortage. By providing vital information, the Skills Audit allows industry, government and business leaders to make informed policy decisions. This year’s audit has been sponsored by Auto Trader.
Northern Mayors: “Ministers must reassess rail plans for the North of England”
MAYORS from across the North of England – Andy Burnham, Steve Rotheram, Jamie Driscoll, Tracy Brabin and Dan Jarvis – have written to the Prime Minister, Chancellor, Levelling Up Secretary and Transport Secretary challenging the Government to open a new assessment process with Transport for the North (TfN) after the Government admitted it has failed to carry out a levelling up assessment of the Integrated Rail Plan (IRP), its flagship levelling up policy. The Integrated Rail Plan, published in November 2021, saw the plans for a new railway across the North, Northern Powerhouse Rail, downgraded and the eastern leg of HS2 up to Yorkshire, scrapped. The plans for Northern Powerhouse Rail had been developed for several years, on a cross-party basis, by political and business leaders across the North but the Government’s Integrated Rail Plan fell short of what Leaders agreed was required to unleash the full economic otential of Northern towns and cities. Last month, the Government published a “Technical Annex” for the Integrated Rail Plan. The document sets out the ‘criteria framework’ for assessing different options in the IRP. The annex states that this includes “Levelling up impact” which should be assessed through a “description of potential impact of transport investment on the wider economy.” However, later in the document it states that: “Given the early stage of development of the options under consideration…it has not been possible to fully assess their impacts on the wider economy.”
Manchester Airport opens new state-of-the-art education sector
Manchester Airport has unveiled a new state-of-the-art education centre aimed at inspiring future generations about a career in aviation. Greater Manchester’s Mayor Andy Burnham was on hand to mark the opening of the AeroZone, delivered as part of the airport’s £1 billion transformation programme, on 7th February. He was joined by Manchester Airport’s Managing Director Karen Smart and 15 pupils from Outwood Primary School in Heald Green, who were then treated to a tour of the new facility. AeroZone is expected to welcome more than 5,000 children and young people aged between four and 18 every year, with curriculum-linked sessions focused on the wide range of careers available in aviation. Cutting-edge design and educational technology will be used to link aviation-related activities to the curriculum at the AeroZone, which offers a mix of classroom space and interactive zones. The design of the centre is influenced by aviation, boasting a cabin with real seats and a cockpit, complete with flight simulator.
Climate Action for Business – help reduce Stockport’s carbon footprint
Stockport Climate Action Business Forum will take place on Tuesday 15th February as the first in a series of events to support local businesses on their journey to net-zero emissions. The forum is open to all businesses and sectors, creating an opportunity for those that are interested in making a difference to share best practice and access support from organisations such as the Carbon Literacy Project and the Business Growth Hub which is offering funded Journey to Net Zero training.
SECTOR SPECIFIC CORONAVIRUS-RELATED NEWS:
ANIMAL OWNERS:
Coronavirus (COVID-19): advice for people in England with animals
Advice for pet owners, livestock and animal keepers on looking after the welfare of animals and people during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. This advice applies to England only – updated guidance on face coverings, the list of animals that can can catch COVID-19 and the evidence for transmission.
BUSINESS:
Hallidays: Covid support grants must be included on company tax returns
HMRC has warned that businesses must declare any coronavirus (COVID-19) support grants or payments on their company tax returns and stated that the grants and payments are taxable. The deadline for filing company tax returns is 12 months after the end of the accounting period. The deadline to pay corporation tax will depend on any taxable profits and when the end of the accounting period occurs. It is generally nine months after the end of the accounting period unless profits exceed £1.5 million. Grants to be included as taxable income include:
- Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate
- Coronavirus Business Support Grants (also known as local authority grants or business rate grants)
- Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) grant
- Eat Out to Help Out payment.
COMMUNITY:
COVID-19 vaccination: British Sign Language resources
British Sign Language (BSL) videos on COVID-19 vaccination – added new BSL videos on second dose for 16-to-17 year olds and waiting after your COVID-19 vaccination, links to updated booster for 18 year olds and older and pregnancy videos.
DVLA Coronavirus (COVID-19) update
Find out the date of applications we are processing and how to access our online services – update to processing dates.
COVID-19 medical exemptions: proving you are unable to get vaccinated
How to apply for official proof that, for medical reasons, you’re unable to be vaccinated or unable to be vaccinated and tested for coronavirus (COVID-19).
EDUCATION:
Subject-by-subject support for GCSE, AS and A level students in 2022
Overview of the support being provided for each qualification for students taking GCSEs, AS and A levels in 2022 – links through to the detailed information from each exam board have been added to each subject.
HOSPITALITY:
Sign the petition: Long Live the Local
It’s a challenging time for everyone. Rising fuel costs and increasing cost of living are front of mind. Pubs are also facing growing energy bills and as one of our most over-taxed industries, this is added pressure our local pubs don’t need. In the last two years over 2,700 pubs have closed their doors for good – without support more will close. The pandemic has seen the pub sector lose £14bn in revenue – that’s an average loss of £300,000 per pub. The great British pub urgently needs your support. If Government don’t act now to help them more will close for good. The new petition is asking for; an extension in the current lower level of VAT for food and beverages sold in pubs with a view to making this permanent; an overall reduction in beer duty and alcohol duty reforms that support British pubs and beer as a lower strength product; lower business rates for pubs equitable to other similar businesses. Help local pubs survive and thrive, sign the petition now at www.longlivethelocal.pub.
RETAIL:
Retail sales higher than pre-pandemic levels by 7.5%
New research has found that retailers have seen a strong start to the year following strong demand in furniture and household products.
Sales grew by 11.9% in January, according to the BRC’s data compiled with KPMG. The year-on-year increase in revenues was partly flattered by high inflation – which meant the same goods often cost a lot more. The BRC warned that the rise in the cost of living could mean shoppers are likely to budget in the months ahead. January’s data inevitably showed a sharp improvement on period a year ago when lockdowns meant that non-essential shops were shut. But sales were also 7.5% higher than pre-pandemic levels at the start of 2020.
TRAVEL:
Portugal and Greece relax testing rules
Portugal now stipulates adults need only present a valid vaccination certificate on arrival and that children under 12 do not need to present a test. Adults and children over 12 who are not fully vaccinated can take a supervised lateral flow test 24 hours before boarding. The requirement for a passenger locator form remains for all arrivals. The rules are slightly different in the Azores, where international arrivals must present an antigen test taken 48 hours before departure. Children 12 and under can travel without a certificate or test. UK arrivals must fill in an online questionnaire that is different from one demanded by the mainland. Greece has also dropped the requirement to take any pre-departure test provided travellers can demonstrate full vaccination status.
GOV & BBC UK daily coronavirus data:
There have been nearly *18 million confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK and nearly 160,000 people have died, government figures show. Over 52 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, 65% 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: 17,866,632 positive tests
Latest UK daily figure: 57,623 new cases
Number in UK hospital: 14,207 (459 less than on previous day)
New deaths across UK: 45
Total UK deaths: 158,363
England Cases per 100,000: 923
R number in UK: 0.8-1.1
Vaccine data:
Total 1st doses given: 52,437,297 – 91% of UK aged 12+
Total 2nd doses: 84%
Daily 1st doses: 8,321
Daily 2nd doses: 16,605
Daily Booster doses: 19,805
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 1.1; the growth rate for England is -3% to +1% per day as of 4 February
COVID-19: estimated administrative vaccine uptake for people aged 18 and over
Daily percentage of the UK population aged 18 and over who have received a first dose, second dose, or third or booster dose to date.
Latest Stockport coronavirus data:
Despite a drop in Covid rates over the past fortnight, the fall has begun to level off and we are still seeing very high rates in Stockport, which are currently at 797.5* per 100,000 or around 334.3 per day. See the latest published data online.
Total Stockport cases: 88,419 to 7 February
Cases in the latest week: 2,176 (465 less compared with previous week)
Total deaths: 832 to January 21th
Cases per 100,000: 740 per 100,000 (28 Jan to 3 Feb)
Stockport vaccine data:
1st dose: 86% of over 12s to 3 February
2nd dose: 81%
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.
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