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!! Important update to Stockport Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) from Stockport Council !!
“Applications for the ARG discretionary grant funding for businesses that continue to be negatively affected by the pandemic, which is being administered on behalf of the government by the Council, continue to be received and are being processed as quickly as possible. The applications are processed in the order in which they have been received.
“Due to the high level of applications received, the ARG funding provided is going to be fully used and the scheme will not be able to support all of the applications made. Please be reminded that applying for an ARG grant will not guarantee that a grant will be paid if the ARG funds have been fully used before an application is processed.”
See below for more information
UK NEWS UPDATES:
Pressure on PM as lockdown parties report looms
Within the past 24 hours, Boris Johnson has come under even more pressure, with the announcement of a police investigation into what went on in Downing Street and Whitehall during lockdown. Today, the internal government report into possible breaches of the law is due to be published. It’s the weekly session of Prime Minister’s Questions later and Mr Johnson will likely be asked about these gatherings once again. Although it’s understood the report from senior civil servant Sue Gray is largely complete, it’s not expected before Mr Johnson appears at the despatch box at noon.
Recurring Covid infections
Through swab-testing thousands of volunteers in England, a study has found two-thirds of people who caught the Omicron variant say they’ve had coronavirus before. Healthcare workers and households with children or lots of people under one roof appear likely to catch the virus again, according to the React study. However, additional work is needed to know how many are true reinfections.
Pet boom continues to boost Pets at Home sales
The growth in pet ownership during the Covid pandemic has continued with retailer Pets at Home forecasting record sales and profits. The company said it had a “record Christmas” with strong growth in sales across its 445 UK stores and its 300 vet and grooming outlets. It said sales in the third quarter were up 8.7% on 2020 and 28.1% on 2019. Boss Peter Pritchard said the firm was on track to report “a record year of sales and profit growth”. He told the BBC’s Today programme the company had served more pet owners than “ever before” in the 12-week period from 8 October to 30 December 2021. “In the month of December alone we actually also groomed 90,000 dogs, 5,500 dogs on Christmas Eve alone, so it was a very busy Christmas for us,” said Mr Pritchard. Pets at Home sells pet products and some small animals and fish.
From Thursday 27 January:
- Venues and events will no longer be required by law to use the NHS Covid Pass. The NHS Covid Pass can still be used on a voluntary basis as was previously the case in Plan A.
- Face coverings are no longer required by law in any setting. Public health guidance will remain in place, suggesting individuals should continue to wear a face covering in crowded and enclosed spaces, where you may come into contact with people you do not normally meet.
- The Department for Education will remove national guidance on the use of face coverings in communal areas, with local Directors of Public Health able to recommend the use of face coverings in education settings across their area only where the department and public health experts judge the measure to be proportionate due to specific health concerns. This is a temporary measure and Directors of Public Health continue to advise individual settings experiencing outbreaks.
- Any local introduction of face coverings must be subject to routine review and removed at the earliest opportunity.
REGIONAL & LOCAL NEWS:
North-West projected for growth after strong recovery in 2021
GDP in the North-West of England is expected to grow by 3.3 per cent this year, according to new analysis by KPMG UK. It comes as the UK moves past the peak of Omicron and restrictions ease with it posing a milder setback than earlier strains. KPMG said it expects all regions and nations to reach their pre-Covid levels of output in line with the UK. Growth in the North-West is then expected to moderate and settle at more typical levels of 1.5 per cent in 2023. According to KPMG’s UK Regional Economic Outlook, following a relatively modest contraction in 2020, the North-West economy exceeded its pre-pandemic level in 2021 Q3.
Northern leaders responses to integrated rail plan before national inquiry
Members of Transport for the North’s (TfN) Board agreed their submission to a cross-party inquiry into how the Government’s Integrated Rail Plan (IRP) will fulfil the promises made by the Department for Transport. They considered their response to the Transport Select Committee inquiry at their meeting earlier today – 25 January – having branded the contents of the IRP “woefully” inadequate last November.
The select committee is seeking evidence on the implications of the IRP for the economy, rail capacity and connectivity.
More vaccination clinics open across Stockport
If you haven’t had your latest COVID vaccine yet then make the most of Stockport’s new and revised offer at pop up clinics in the community as health experts have introduced more choice on where to get your next dose.
New walk-in clinics are being provided at:
- The One Stockport Hub in Mersey Square, SK1 1RA: Thursday, 27 January until Saturday, 29 January, 10am until 3pm.
- Trinity Methodist Church, 351 Bramhall Lane, Bramhall SK3 8TP: seven days a week from 8am until 6pm.
- Lancashire Hill Community Centre, Penny Lane, SK5 7RP: Wednesday, 26 January, 10am until 3pm.
- Lancashire Hill Learner Lounge, Stonemill Terrace, SK5 7RL: Thursday, 27 January, 2pm until 4pm.
- The Olive Café, 88-90 Castle St, Edgeley, SK3 9AL: Thursday 27 January, 10am until 12pm.
If you haven’t had your first, second or booster vaccination and are eligible then make the most of Stockport’s increased walk-in vaccination offer this week.
Coronavirus rates among young children at record levels in Greater Manchester
Infections among five to nine year olds are at at all-time high in seven of the region’s borough’s and are still on the rise. While older age groups have seen a slump in cases, the spike among children – with rates also high among 0-4 year olds – is now bringing overall infection rates back up. “The passing of the first two full weeks of the spring term have seen attendance deteriorate further in our schools, with even more students and staff away from the classroom.”
Stockport Business Rates Related Schemes:
Omicron Hospitality and Leisure grant:
NOTE: The closing date for applications is at midnight on 18 February 2022. We will not accept any applications after this date.
- The Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant is a one-off grant to support businesses that offer in-person services in a fixed rate-paying premises.
- Businesses that were trading on 30 December 2021 may be eligible to apply for the grant.
- Businesses that offer more than one service may only be eligible if 50% or more of their overall income comes from hospitality, leisure or accommodation.
How much will businesses receive?
Businesses that have a rateable value:
- of £15,000 or less on 30 December 2021 will receive a payment of £2,667
- between £15,001 and £50,999 on 30 December 2021 will receive a payment of £4,000
- of £51,000 or more on 30 December 2021 will receive a payment of £6,000
What are the Tax implications?
- Grant income received by a business is taxable. The Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant will need to be included as income in the tax return of the business.
- Only businesses that make an overall profit once the grant income is included will be subject to tax.
- Payments made to businesses before 5 April 2022 will fall into the 2021/22 tax year. Unincorporated businesses will be taxed when they receive the grant income.
Business Grant Subsidy Allowance:
- Businesses will be subject to the financial limits set out in the Business Grant Subsidy Allowance.
- Businesses will be entitled to receive a grant for each eligible premises.
Applications are now open. Visit Stockport Council website for full information and application – Omicron Hospitality and Leisure grant – Stockport Council
COVID-19 Additional Relief Fund (CARF):
The fund will be available to support those businesses affected by the pandemic but that are ineligible for existing support linked to business rates.
The Stockport scheme is currently being developed.
Further details will be on the Council website when available – check this link regularly for updates – Financial support for businesses and employers – Stockport Council
Additional Restrictions Grant:
ARG is a Discretionary Grant Scheme that has been operating over a series of funding allocations from Government.
Round 2 Top Up:
The latest scheme with round 2 top up funding opened in November 2021. Information and application is on Stockport Council web page at this link – https://www.stockport.gov.uk/additional-restrictions-grant
Round 3 Top Up:
Round 3 top up funding allocation has now been received and must be used by 31/03/22. Most businesses are eligible to apply if still experiencing negative impact from Covid pandemic.
Applying for an ARG:
- Businesses can apply for a grant from both top up 2 and 3 allocations but separate need to be submitted from businesses for each round of funding (Government requirement).
- If businesses have applied for ARG before 21/12/21, then they can submit a further application now.
- If businesses applied after 21/12/21 then no need to do anything further – if not applied at all yet then apply ASAP.
- Applications will be processed on first come first served basis until funds are exhausted so applying does not guarantee success in getting a grant if funds have been exhausted at that time
Current status on payments:
Total discretionary grant funding of £2.35m total to be used by 31/03/2022 (includes latest £550k top up)
- 767 applications received by 18th January 2022
- 49% of applications fully processed
- £1.1m grant funding released by 18th January 2022
- Average grant payment of £3,271
- 399 further applications to process
SECTOR SPECIFIC CORONAVIRUS-RELATED NEWS:
BUSINESS:
Test and Trace Support Payment scheme: claiming financial support
Who can claim the support and how to apply – removed information regarding self-isolation change for contacts of Omicron cases which ended on 13 December 2021.
COMMUNITY:
HEALTH & WELLBEING:
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.
COVID-19: reported SARS-CoV-2 deaths in England
Monthly report presenting the latest data on COVID-19 mortality in England in people with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2.
Coronavirus and self-isolation after testing positive in England: 4 January to 8 January 2022
Behaviour of individuals required to self-isolate after testing positive for COVID-19, from the COVID Test and Trace Cases Insights Survey. Includes information on the impact of self-isolation on well-being and finances. Experimental Statistics.
PROPERTY:
Sale prices up 25% as housing sector undergoing massive inflation
There’s been huge sale price inflation in the rarified high-end country estate market according to a buying agent. Jess Simpson, who runs Oxfordshire-based Jess Simpson Property Search, defines the top-end country estate market as including properties worth £10m with 100-plus acres. This niche saw a 20 per cent year-on-year increase in transactions in 2021, with more estates trading than in any other year in the last decade, according to Simpson. She says a total of almost £500m worth of property in this sector was traded last year, with premium prices particularly common in the Cotswolds which accounted for a quarter of sales at a cool 25 per cent on average over 2020 levels.
TRANSPORT:
Developing faster indicators of transport activity
To monitor transport activity on a timelier basis for topical issues relating to transport.
TRAVEL:
GOV & BBC UK daily coronavirus data:
There have been 16 million confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK and more than 150,000 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. 84% have had their second and 64% have had a booster.
Total UK Cases: 16,047,716 positive tests
Latest UK daily figure: 94,326 new cases
Number in UK hospital: 17,162 (242 more than on previous day)
New deaths across UK: 439
Total UK deaths: 154,356
England Cases per 100,000: 986
R number in UK: 0.8-1.1
Vaccine data:
Total 1st doses given: 52,252,579 – 91% of UK aged 12+
Total 2nd doses: 84%
Daily 1st doses: 16,005
Daily 2nd doses: 29,833
Daily Booster doses: 55,877
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 range for England is -6% to +1% per day as of 21 January 2022.
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:
Total Stockport cases: 79,965 to 25 January
Cases in the latest week: 2,294 (373 less compared with previous week)
Total deaths: 825 to January 14th
Cases per 100,000: 780 per 100,000 (14 to 21 Jan)
Stockport vaccine data:
1st dose: 86% of over 12s to 20 January
2nd dose: 80%
3rd / booster dose: 64%
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.
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