!! 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:
Rental costs jump as office staff return
Workers are returning to offices, and students and international residents are coming back as Covid restrictions ease. The has led to rises in the cost of renting in city centres, according to property website Zoopla. It says renters are paying £62 more a month than before the pandemic.
UK families cancel half-term trips to Spain
Many UK families have cancelled half-term trips to mainland Spain and the Canary Islands because children over 12 must be double vaccinated to enter.
Hoteliers in the islands say the restrictions have lost them millions of pounds’ worth of trade. They have called on the Spanish government to relax its restrictions to allow in more British travellers. Europe’s largest tour operator TUI says Mexico and Turkey are proving popular alternatives. From Friday, people travelling to the UK will no longer need to take any Covid tests if they are fully vaccinated. However, Britons going on holiday overseas still need to follow the rules which apply at their destination.
REGIONAL & LOCAL NEWS:
Ten half-term vaccination clinics across Stockporyt Ten more pop up COVID-19 vaccination clinics will be open across Stockport this February half-term from Monday, 14 February, to Friday, 18 February. There will be a choice of two clinics each day. It’s an ideal time for those who are 12-17 years of age to get their vaccination whilst school and college are out. This latest vaccination offer, organised by NHS Stockport Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and Stockport Council, is a bid to get even more people protected against COVID-19 and reduce the spread of the Omicron variant, at a time when infections rates remain high across the borough. Anyone aged 12 and over, and eligible, will be able to get a first, second or booster vaccination. No booking is required, simply walk in and get vaccinated. Eligibility guidance can be found on the Stockport CCG website.
Profits fall at Greater Manchester based PZ Cussons as Covid peak eases
Consumer goods group PZ Cussons has reported a 9% slide in revenues as demand for its hygiene products eased. The Imperial Leather maker reported half year revenues of £283.7m, or by 2% on a like-for-like basis while adjusted pre-tax profits dropped 8.3% to £32m for the six months to 30 November 2021.
The Manchester-headquartered group said the decline in revenue was primarily driven by the easing of demand of its Carex brand which had seen sales soar during the peak of the pandemic in 2020.
Bumper half term for Manchester Airport as travel restrictions ease this Friday
Manchester Airport is once again gearing up for a busy February Half-Term, with most Covid-19 restrictions dropped for fully-vaccinated travellers from Friday 11 February, and some fantastic deals with airlines serving the Northern hub.
More than 600,000 passengers are set to fly through during the school holidays*, with passengers reminded to check the rules for the country they are going to and be prepared for their airport journey. Whether you’re a family looking for some winter sun or a couple seeking out a romantic Valentine’s break, there’s plenty on offer to spark your love for travel once again.
£10million programme to help young people into work
A new £10 million programme to support young people Not in Employment Education or Training (NEETs) to re-engage with work and education opportunities has launched in Greater Manchester. Career Connect and Ingeus have each been awarded £5 million from the European Social Fund to deliver a NEET and Youth Employment Programme on behalf of Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA). The programme will support 6,000 young people in the city-region aged between 15 and 24 with bespoke advice, guidance and individualised support to make progress between January 2022 and September 2023. Career Connect will support those aged between 15 and 19 and Ingeus will focus on young adults between 18 and 24 years. The NEET and Youth Employment Programme has been developed after many young people in the city-region were negatively impacted as a result of Covid-19.
SECTOR SPECIFIC CORONAVIRUS-RELATED NEWS:
BUSINESS:
Office demand surges – does this mean a return to normal?
Rightmove says the level of business owners enquiring about leasing office space has now surpassed even pre-pandemic levels in January. Demand is now some 54 per cent higher than in January 2021 and 15 per cent higher than in pre-pandemic January 2020 according to the portal, which lists commercial property as well as residential. The office sector started the year with the strongest growth in enquiries of any sector, as more businesses assess their office needs in the hope of moving towards a ‘new normal’. This is not just in small towns and cities where demand is well ahead of pre-pandemic levels – demand for office space within the UK’s 10 biggest cities is now just eight per cent behind pre-pandemic levels, and up 62 per cent on January 2021.
Making tax digital for all VAT-registered businesses
This webinar provides an overview of MTD, including digital record keeping, compatible software, how to sign up and submitting VAT returns directly from the business. Register here
National Apprenticeship Week – “Apprenticeships make you grow up faster than uni”
To mark National Apprenticeship Week in England, BBC News spoke to teenager Joshua Mims, who has started an apprenticeship at electricity and gas utility company, National Grid. We caught up with him at a London Power Tunnels site in south-east London, a project to improve the capital’s electricity supply.
Aldi to hire 200 new apprentices as part of expansion plans
Aldi has set out plans to employ 200 new apprentices across the UK this year, with opportunities across store, logistics and HGV driver roles. Store Apprentices at Aldi can earn £198 per week in year one, rising to £295 per week in year three. Those in logistics and driver roles can earn £196 and £328 per week respectively. The apprenticeship plans come as Aldi commits to its nationwide expansion programme. The German discounter is expected to create a further 2000 permanent roles across the UK this year.
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.
Coronavirus: how to stay safe and help prevent the spread
Find out how to stay safe and help prevent the spread of coronavirus – added information on booster vaccine doses and information for pregnant women.
CONSTRUCTION:
Manchester looks to office for expansion
In Manchester, over 2.8m sq ft of office floor space is planned to commence construction over the next few years offering a bright outlook for the commercial sector. Construction activity across Birmingham, Leeds and Manchester rose markedly with 65 new projects beginning construction last year, up from 47 in 2020, according to Deloitte’s Regional Crane Survey. Leeds led the way with both record growth in residential, student and office schemes. The construction of new residential development was strong in Manchester and Birmingham last year, while hitting record levels in Leeds. Across the three cities, the construction of 19,763 new homes was underway in 2021 – the second highest on record.
EDUCATION:
1 in 10 teachers absent in early February due to Covid
Record numbers of teachers and school leaders were absent from English state schools earlier in February, the latest data shows. In total, nearly one in 10 – 9.1 % – of staff were estimated as absent on February 3 compared with 9% on January 20. Absence rates for pupils fell, with 320,000 pupils off school for Covid-related reasons on February 3, down from 5.1% on January 20.
Early years inspection handbook
Ofsted guidance on inspecting registered early years and childcare providers under the education inspection framework.
HEALTH & WELLBEING:
RETAIL:
Dunelm “confident in growth plans” as sales top £795m
Dunelm has reported strong profits and sales and continued to outperform in the market of homeware and furniture. The retailer said it remained “confident in long term growth plans” after pre-tax profits rose to £140.8 million for the 26 weeks ended December 25 2021. This marked a 25.3% increase from the same period in 2020. Dunelm also reported that total sales also grew by 10.6% to £795.6 million, with digital sales now making up 33% of all purchases. This marked a 2% decline from the same period last year. This marked a 2% decline from the same period last year.
TECHNOLOGY:
TRANSPORT:
National Travel Attitudes Study, England: pre-release access
Post holders given access to National Travel Attitudes Study up to 24 hours prior to release – Pre-release access document updated.
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: 17,932,803 positive tests
Latest UK daily figure: 66,183 new cases
Number in UK hospital: 13,793 (173 more than on previous day)
New deaths across UK: 314
Total UK deaths: 158,677
England Cases per 100,000: 923
R number in UK: 0.8-1.1
Vaccine data:
Total 1st doses given: 52,447,403 – 91% of UK aged 12+
Total 2nd doses: 84.5%
Daily 1st doses: 10,106
Daily 2nd doses: 22,861
Daily Booster doses: 32,627
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
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: 88,639 to 8 February
Cases in the latest week: 2,068 (523 less compared with previous week)
Total deaths: 838 to January 28th
Cases per 100,000: 703 per 100,000 (29 Jan to 4 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