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:
Hospitality industry launches £5m campaign in response to jobs crisis
Industry unites around Hospitality Rising with crucial endorsement to become hospitality’s answer to staffing and recruitment crisis as latest study reveals colossal 400,000 vacancies across sector. The grass-roots campaign Hospitality Rising has won official support from the Hospitality & Tourism Sector Skills Board (HTSB) to be the strategic face of the industry’s biggest ever recruitment campaign – as latest figures show there are currently 400,000 vacancies in hospitality, revealing the extent of the crippling jobs crisis.
ONS: Inflation up from 5.4% in December to 5.5% in January
Higher clothing and footwear prices have pushed the cost of living up again, with inflation hitting another 30-year high last month. Consumer prices surged by 5.5% in the 12 months to January, up from 5.4% in December, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said. Inflation is now outpacing wage growth as energy, fuel and food costs continue to rise, squeezing household budgets.
Inflation is expected to climb above 7% this year, the Bank of England said.
Since pandemic restrictions were eased last year, companies have faced higher wage, shipping and energy costs which they have passed on to customers.
The ONS said electricity bills were up 19% in the year to January and gas bills up by 28%.
Taming Covid with new drugs – “I’ve seen the worst of Covid”
“Two years ago we had nothing,” says Dr Matthias Schmid, who treated the UK’s first Covid patient in 2020. Since then, treatments have progressed and there is a range of options available. As NHS patients are now being offered a new drug, does this mean we are finally taming the virus? The drug, sotrovimab, is a monoclonal antibody – synthetic proteins which stick to coronavirus to prevent an infection from getting established. In trials of vulnerable patients, it cut their risk of hospital admission and death by 79% – 100,000 doses of sotrovimab, are on order for the NHS.
Greggs opens “experimental café” in world’s largest Primark
Commercial outfitter Novograf has teamed up with Greggs to deliver an “experimental café” experience in the world’s largest Primark in Birmingham.
‘Tasty by Greggs’ was opened to the public on Saturday February 12, with Novograf aiding in the creation of the elevated café using unparalleled interior and exterior design. The Glasgow based manufacturer, in collaboration with Phillip Watt Design and Drummonds, has brought Greggs’ vision to life at the 130-seater café.
Ross Campbell, digital business development manager at Novograf, said: “This is the first of its kind Greggs experiential café, which takes into account the latest commercial design trends and the new-age customer journey. We are excited to be stepping to the forefront of innovative design and providing an all-immersive, omnichannel customer experience.”
REGIONAL & LOCAL NEWS:
Stockport CCG announce plans ahead of transition to integrated care system
After steering Stockport Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) into the final stages of its transition into a new Greater Manchester-wide integrated care organisation, its key leaders Dr Cath Munro, Chairperson, and Andrea Green, the Accountable Officer, have announced their future plans. CCG Chair, Dr Cath Munro is relocating to live and work in the Lake District and leaves the CCG on Thursday, 31 March, 2022. After more than 39 years in the NHS, Andrea Green will be retiring and leaves the CCG at the end of April. As the CCG moves into the final months of transition to the NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care organisation, it will seek the views of members who represent the local primary care practices on the recruitment of a Chair. Phil Winrow, the current Vice Chair of the CCG, and Anita Rolfe, the Deputy Accountable Officer and Executive Nurse, will ensure the CCG can continue to operate within the CCG Constitution.
Northwest based infrastructure firm wins MAG contract
Worsley-based infrastructure company Network Plus has landed a contract with Manchester Airports Group (MAG) to deliver major civil construction works.
The company is one of four contractors who will provide MAG with capital infrastructure services across MAG sites in the North of the UK, including Manchester Airport. The framework is for civil engineering projects valued between £3m to £10m.This agreement is one of a number that have been recently awarded by MAG, which owns and operates Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands airports, to support its programme of infrastructure development.
Town centre living planned for disused Cobdens pub
A planning application has been submitted for the former Cobdens pub in Stockport town centre to be converted into apartments. The pub building, which has lain empty since 2013, on the corner of Wellington Road South and St Petersgate could be converted into eight one-bedroom and one two-bedroom apartments. The property’s existing basement will be converted to provide communal bin stores and bicycle storage for residents.
SECTOR SPECIFIC CORONAVIRUS-RELATED NEWS:
CARE:
Coronavirus (COVID-19): providing unpaid care
Information for people who are caring, unpaid, for friends or family during the COVID-19 pandemic – updated to reflect the changes made to coronavirus restrictions from 27 January 2022. These changes include face coverings, personal protective equipment and testing.
COMMUNITY:
Coronavirus (COVID-19) PCR home test kit instructions
Find out how to do a PCR test for COVID-19 at home and check if you need to register a test kit – added video showing how to do a PCR home test for a child. Updated wording to reflect that rapid lateral flow tests are usually for people without symptoms of COVID-19.
HEALTH & WELLBEING:
UKHSA review shows vaccinated less likely to have long COVID than unvaccinated
A new review by UKHSA shows that people who have had one or more doses of a coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine are less likely to develop long COVID than those who remain unvaccinated.
PROPERTY:
Levelling-up could boost UK housing market by over £58 billion
The government’s ambitious plans to ‘level up’ in the UK could boost the value of the nation’s property market by a whopping £58.7 billion, according to research from developer StripeHomes. In total, 96 areas the length and breadth of the UK have been earmarked for elaborate regeneration projects by the government.
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 – latest data table added for transport use during the coronavirus pandemic.
Developing faster indicators of transport activity
To monitor transport activity on a timelier basis for topical issues relating to transport.
TRAVEL:
Canada to ease border restrictions later this month
Fully vaccinated travellers will no longer need a PCR test to enter Canada from later this month after the country announced a “phased easing” of its border restrictions. From 28 February, fully vaccinated travellers will be able to use a rapid Covid antigen test taken the day prior to their scheduled flight departure, or a molecular test (taken no more than 72 hours before their scheduled flight) to meet entry requirements.
GOV & BBC UK daily coronavirus data:
There have been 18 million confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK and almost 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: 18,393,951 positive tests
Latest UK daily figure: 46,186 new cases
Number in UK hospital: 12,304 (211 more than on previous day)
New deaths across UK: 234
Total UK deaths: 159,839
England Cases per 100,000: 599
R number in UK: 0.8-1.1
Vaccine data:
Total 1st doses given: 52,522,201 – 91% of UK aged 12+
Total 2nd doses: 85%
Daily 1st doses: 8,107
Daily 2nd doses: 18,172
Daily Booster doses: 32,050
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: 86,679 to 15 February
Cases in the latest week: 1,277 (790 less compared with previous week)
Total deaths: 848 to February 4th
Cases per 100,000: 434 per 100,000 (5 to 11 Feb)
Stockport vaccine data:
1st dose: 86% of over 12s to 9 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.
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