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UK STATISTICS
There have been more than 10 million confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK and sadly over 146,000 people have died, government figures show. More than 51 million people have now received a first dose of the vaccine, 89% of people in the UK aged 12 and over. 81% have had their second and almost 38% have had a booster.
Total UK Cases: 10,660,981 positive tests
Latest UK daily figure: 50,867 new cases
Number in UK hospital: 7,347
New deaths across UK: 148
Total UK deaths: 146,135
England Cases per 100,000: 501.5
R number in UK: 0.9 to 1.1
Vaccine data:
Total 1st doses given: 51,183,457 – 89% of UK aged 12+
Total 2nd doses: 81%
Daily 1st doses: 21,700
Daily 2nd doses: 29,437
Daily Booster doses: 414,645
Latest Cheshire East data:
Total Cheshire East cases: 59,818
New cases in past 7 days: 1,876 to 4 Dec
Total deaths: 913
Cases per 100,000: 485.2
Coronavirus cases in the UK: daily updated statistics
The latest number of coronavirus (COVID-19) tests, cases and deaths in the UK. The way deaths are reported is based on a 28-day limit between the date of a positive lab-confirmed test and date of death.
Slides, datasets and transcripts to accompany coronavirus press conferences
Slides, datasets and transcripts from press conferences at 10 Downing Street in response to coronavirus
COVID-19: background information
Information on COVID-19 including epidemiology, virology and clinical features – updated with latest global case numbers.
The R value and growth rate
The R range for England is 0.9 to 1.1 and the growth rate range for England is -1% to +2% per day as of 3 December 2021
UK NEWS UPDATES:
Government’s Plan B: work from home, face coverings and vaccine passports
As fears grow over the Omicron variant more restrictions, including guidance to work from home, have been announced for England.The move to tougher measures, or Plan B, will be staggered with rules such as wearing face coverings in places like cinemas and theatres coming into force on Friday, while Covid passes for venues such as nightclubs won’t come into effect until Wednesday. Other UK nations have already brought in stricter restrictions like working from home and Covid passes. Curbs in England come as analysis suggests cases of the new variant could be doubling every 2.5 to three days, and indications show this could lead to a “big rise” in hospitalisations and “therefore sadly in deaths”, says the prime minister. The new rules, which Boris Johnson describes as “proportionate and responsible”, must be voted through Parliament. That takes place next week and despite a mounting backlash over the plan, they are likely to pass with support from Labour. In summary, the measures announced today are:
- From 10 Dec, mandatory face covering rules are extended to most indoor settings (but will not include hospitality settings).
- From 13 Dec, guidance is for people to work from home if they can. Anyone who cannot work from home should continue to travel to their workplace.
- From 15 Dec, introduction of mandatory certification for certain settings. This will mean a requirement to show vaccination status or a recent negative test to enter certain high-risk settings.
Slides to accompany coronavirus press conference: 8 December 2021
Vaccines Minister on the success of COVID-19 vaccine programme
Marking one year since the first vaccine was administered, Maggie Throup urges people to get their booster jabs to top-up immunity during winter
UK’s most vulnerable people to receive life saving COVID-19 treatments in the community
Thousands of vulnerable people are to receive cutting-edge antiviral and antibody treatments for COVID-19.
REGIONAL & LOCAL NEWS:
North-West set for £26.4billion boost from manufacturing exports
The North-West economy is to be boosted by about £26.4bn by the end of 2021 thanks to UK manufacturing exports, according to a new study.
Barclays Corporate Banking’s report, The Export Dividend, also says the plans of manufacturers who don’t currently export to start selling their products overseas could see that total soar to £28.9bn a year by 2030.
Barclays added that despite widespread supply chain disruption and challenges brought on by the global pandemic and Brexit, 68% of manufacturing firms with 10 or more employees in the North-West are currently exporting.
MAG calls for urgent review of travel rules as results show impact of restrictions
Manchester Airports Group (MAG) is calling on the Government to carry out an urgent review of its new travel restrictions as the Group released half year results highlighting the continuing major effect the measures are having on the travel and tourism sector.
- Passenger numbers for the first six months of the year were 82% down on 2019 as a result of summer travel restrictions
- Traffic increased to 58% of pre-pandemic levels in November after restrictions eased
- MAG is calling on the Government to review new Omicron travel restrictions after community transmission was confirmed
Ground-breaking COVID-19 antiviral treatment trial opens to recruitment in Greater Manchester and East Cheshire
Local GPs and healthcare professionals have today begun enrolling participants across Greater Manchester and East Cheshire to a first-of-its-kind clinical trial investigating the effectiveness of new oral antiviral treatments for COVID-19 – which can be safely taken at home. The Platform Adaptive trial of NOvel antiviRals for eArly treatMent of covid-19 In the Community (PANORAMIC) trial will rapidly assess a range of purpose-designed antiviral treatments which could help clinically vulnerable people with COVID-19 in the community recover sooner, prevent the need for hospital admission and ease the burden on the NHS. These new antiviral treatments are intended for use in the very early stages of infection, by people in the community with COVID-19 who are at higher risk of complications.
SECTOR SPECIFIC CORONAVIRUS-RELATED NEWS:
BUSINESS:
HMRC: Latest updates for employers on the Employer Bulletin
The December edition of the Employer Bulletin brings you all the latest HMRC updates and guidance to support employers and payroll agents.
There is important information on:
- PAYE – there is important information for those who pay employees early for Christmas, and advice on how to prevent and correct payroll errors
- UK Transition and the recently agreed UK-Swiss Convention on Social Security coordination which came into force on 1?????? ?November?????? ?2021
- coronavirus (COVID-19) summary of guidance published by HMRC, and declaring grants on tax returns
- tax updates and changes to guidance, with information on the tax avoidance campaign.
Working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19)
Find out how to reduce the risk of COVID-19 spreading in your workplace.
OPSS coronavirus (COVID-19) guidance for business and local authorities
Guidance on PPE, face coverings, face visors, and hand cleaning and sanitising products, for the protection of consumers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
CARE:
Temporary medical exemptions for COVID-19 vaccination of people working or deployed in care homes
Replaced the letter and the self-certification form for people with medical exemptions with updated versions to reflect the extension to the self-certification cut-off date to 31 March 2022.
Adult social care in England statistics: background quality and methodology
How the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) puts together the data in its monthly reports – updated to reflect addition of booster rates and changes to response rate methodology.
Monthly statistics for adult social care (England)
Experimental statistics on a range of topics including infection control measures, COVID-19 vaccinations, flu vaccinations and testing for COVID-19 in adult social care settings.
Adult social care in England, monthly statistics: December 2021
Experimental statistics on a range of topics including infection control measures, COVID-19 vaccinations, flu vaccinations and testing for COVID-19 in adult social care settings.
COMMUNITY:
Protective measures for holiday or after-school clubs and other out-of-school settings for children during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
Following the Prime Ministers announcement on 8 December 2021, updated guidance on asymptomatic testing, tracing close contacts and isolation, face coverings, workforce and the clinically extremely vulnerable. Enabling safe and effective volunteering during coronavirus (COVID-19)
This guidance aims to help organisations and groups understand how to safely and effectively involve volunteers during the pandemic – information box added on new measures (face coverings, COVID status checks, and working from home) because of the Omicron variant of COVID-19. Further information on these measures will be added shortly.
Coronavirus: how to stay safe and help prevent the spread
Find out how to stay safe and help prevent the spread of coronavirus – updates to reflect new plan B measures being introduced to respond to the rise of the Omicron variant.
Face coverings: when to wear one, exemptions, and how to make one
This page explains when to wear a face covering, exemptions from wearing one, and how to make your own face covering – updated to reflect the new rules on settings where it is now mandatory to wear face coverings. 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.
EDUCATION:
Actions for schools during the coronavirus outbreak
What all schools will need to do during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Following the Prime Ministers announcement on 8 December 2021, we have updated guidance on tracing close contacts and isolation, ventilation, asymptomatic testing, mandatory certification, recommendation to work from home if you can and clinically extremely vulnerable children and adults.
Special schools and other specialist settings: coronavirus (COVID-19)
Following the Prime Ministers announcement on 8 December 2021, we have updated guidance on vulnerable children and young people who are self-isolating, tracing close contacts and isolation, face coverings, mandatory certification and clinically extremely vulnerable children and adults.
Ofqual publishes NRT results and contextual analysis 2021
A statement on the National Reference Test (NRT) results we published today.
Higher education providers: coronavirus (COVID-19)
Coronavirus (COVID-19) operational guidance for higher education providers.
Following the Prime Ministers announcement on 8 December 2021, we have updated guidance on HE workforce, communications with students and staff, testing asymptomatic students and staff using LFDs, vaccine certification, students travelling from red countries, mandatory certification and students vaccinated overseas and forming new households.
Actions for FE colleges and providers during the coronavirus pandemic
Following the Prime Ministers announcement on 8 December 2021, we have updated guidance on tracing close contacts and isolation, ventilation, asymptomatic testing, mandatory certification and the content on clinically extremely vulnerable young people and staff.
HEALTH & WELLBEING:
Review of measures for COVID-19 and flu vaccine programmes
Temporary measures for COVID-19 and flu vaccine programme to be extended or made permanent through new consultation
COVID-19 variants identified in the UK
Latest updates on SARS-CoV-2 variants detected in the UK.
HOSPITALITY & LEISURE:
Using your NHS COVID Pass for travel abroad and at venues and settings in England
How to use the NHS COVID Pass to demonstrate your coronavirus (COVID-19) status when travelling abroad and domestically at venues and settings in England
Working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19)
Hotels and guest accommodation – Information box added on new measures (face coverings, COVID status checks, and working from home) because of the Omicron variant of COVID-19. Further information on these measures will be added shortly.
JUDICIARY:
Coronavirus (COVID-19): courts and tribunals guidance
This page provides advice and guidance for all court and tribunal users during the COVID-19 pandemic and will be updated when new advice is available – updated following UK Government’s announcement that England will move to Plan B.
PROPERTY:
Covid-created arrears still rising warns industry body
The National Residential Landlords Association says average rent debt owed by tenants as a direct result of the pandemic is still increasing.
A survey of over 2,000 private renters in England and Wales by research consultancy Dynata for the NRLA found that average Covid related rent arrears owed by affected tenants had increased to £1,270, up from £900 as recently as May. Whilst the proportion of tenants with arrears built up since the pandemic started in March2 2020 has almost halved to 3.7 per cent from 7.0 per cent in May, there are still some 430,000 private renters with Covid arrears. The survey also found 57 per cent of those with such arrears were not in receipt of Universal Credit, so making them ineligible for Discretionary Housing Payments.
RETAIL:
Working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19)
Find out how to reduce the risk of COVID-19 spreading in your workplace – shops, branches, and close contact services – Information box added on new measures (face coverings, COVID status checks, and working from home) because of the Omicron variant of COVID-19. Further information on these measures will be added shortly.
SPORT:
Guidance on coronavirus (COVID-19) measures for grassroots sport participants, providers and facility operators
This guidance sets out information for the public and sport providers on how to organise and participate in grassroots sport and physical activity as safely as possible – information box added on new measures (face coverings, COVID status checks, and working from home) because of the Omicron variant of COVID-19. Further information on these measures will be added shortly.
Guidance on coronavirus (COVID-19) measures for elite sport
This guidance sets out information for elite sport organisations on how to reduce the risk from COVID-19. This includes guidance on domestic and cross-border competitions – information box added on new measures (face coverings, COVID status checks, working from home, self-isolation, international travel) because of the Omicron variant of COVID-19. Further information on these measures will be added shortly.
TRANSPORT:
Coronavirus (COVID-19): providing public health information to passengers travelling to or from England
Information that transport operators must ensure is provided to passengers and how to provide it.
TRAVEL:
Using your NHS COVID Pass for travel abroad and at venues and settings in England
How to use the NHS COVID Pass to demonstrate your coronavirus (COVID-19) status when travelling abroad and domestically at venues and settings in England – added the section ‘Residents in England who have received COVID-19 vaccinations overseas’.
How to quarantine and test at home if you’ve been in a red list country and have permission to quarantine at home
Quarantine and testing requirements for people allowed to quarantine at home after arriving in England from a red list country, including rules for their households – updated links to book day 2 and day 8 tests with new mandatory provider.
UK ARMED FORCES:
Number of COVID-19 tests in defence and positive cases in the UK Armed Forces 2021
Summary statistics on the number of defence personnel who have had a COVID-19 test; and for the UK Armed Forces, the number of positive cases of COVID-19.
Addition of: number of COVID-19 tests in defence and positive cases in the UK Armed Forces as at 26 November 2021.
Useful links:
Publishing information about your claimsIn January HMRC published the list of employers who claimed under the CJRS for periods from December onwards, on GOV.UK.
Repayment period for Bounce Back Loans extended to ten yearsBusinesses that took out government Bounce Back loans to help them through the Coronavirus crisis now have more time to repay. Companies will be contacted with options to extend the length of the loan from six to 10 years as part of a new ‘pay-as-you-grow’ initiative. The new proposals give businesses three new options:
1. Extending the length of the loan from six years to 10;
2. Making interest-only payments for six months, then repaying the principal on a phased basis with other interest-only periods;
3. Delaying repayments entirely for up to six months.
COVID-19 Winter Plan
The government’s plan for managing COVID-19 through the end of 2020 and into the start of 2021.
Government extends JRS furlough scheme at 80% for period of lockdown
The government has said the furlough scheme, due to have closed on 31st October, would now be extended until December.
Check if your employer can use the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
Check which employees you can put on furlough to use the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
Calculate how much you can claim using the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
Steps to take before calculating your claim using the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
Check if you can claim for your employees’ wages through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
New National Restrictions from 5 November
Information on the new national restrictions, including what they mean for working from home and business closures, why they are being introduced and the financial support available.
Job Retention Bonus (JRB)
Employers are able to claim a one-off payment of £1,000 for every eligible employee furloughed and claimed for through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS), kept continuously employed until at least 31 January 2021 and who meets the other eligibility criteria. Claims can be made between 15 February and 31 March.
Become a Green Homes Grant Supplier II – Trustmark and PAS 2030The new Green Homes Grant will give over 600,000 homeowners in England up to £10,000 to install insulation, heat pumps, draft proofing and more to help households cut energy bills.
Check if you’re eligible for the coronavirus Local Restrictions Support Grant
The Local Restrictions Support Grant (LRSG) supports businesses that have been required to close due to temporary COVID-19 local lockdown restrictions imposed by the government.
Self-Employment Income Support Scheme grant extension
The grant is being extended from 1 November 2020. Find out if you’re eligible and how much you can get.
Hospitality venues in England are now legally required to enforce the rule of 6 or face a fine of up to £4,000.
Designated businesses and organisations, including hospitality, close contact services and leisure venues, will also be legally required to log details of customers, visitors and staff for NHS Test and Trace and required to display official NHS QR code posters under law
NHS Test and Trace service in the workplace
Guidance on the NHS Test and Trace service for employers, businesses and workers updated to reflect the new legal requirements for designated venues to collect contact details and display official NHS QR code posters from 24th September
Claim money back through the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme
Find out how to claim the reimbursement for discounts given to diners with the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme. The Eat Out to Help Out Scheme closed on 31 August 2020 – the page updated with removal of registration links.
Kickstart Scheme
The Kickstart Scheme provides funding to employers to create job placements for 16 to 24 year olds.
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.
Coronavirus outbreak FAQs: what you can and can’t do
Frequently asked questions on what you can and can’t do during the coronavirus outbreak – guidance updated in line with new regulations coming into force on 4 July
Business Survey:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dcms-coronavirus-impact-business-survey/dcms-business-survey-headline-measures
Apply for the coronavirus Future Fund
The Future Fund will provide UK Government loans to UK-based companies ranging from £125,000 to £5 million, subject to at least equal match funding from private investors.
Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme set to launch
Employers will be able to make claims through the Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme from 26 May.
Government – Guidance on Returning to Work safely
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19
Government – Setting out of Road Map to recovery – 11th May 2020
Our plan to rebuild: The UK Government’s 60 page COVID-19 recovery strategy
The UK Government’s COVID-19 recovery strategy. The strategy sets out a cautious roadmap to easing existing measures in a safe and measured way, subject to successfully controlling the virus and being able to monitor and react to its spread.
Coronavirus Act 2020: status
A table setting out the status of each measure in the Coronavirus Act 2020.
Government – Financial Support
New 100% government backed loan scheme for small business
Government – Financial Support
CBILS – A guide to whether it may be the best options for a business
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 – 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.businesssupport.gov.uk/coronavirus-business-support/
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
Bank of England – Financial Support: https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/news/2020/march/the-covid-corporate-financing-facility
Cheshire and Warrington Growth Hub
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
UK Lockdown – Further businesses to close and exceptions: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/874732/230320_-_Revised_guidance_note_-_finalVF
Health – updates from NHS
https://www.england.nhs.uk/news/
Health – Shielding the most vulnerable https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19
Travel: https://media.northernrailway.co.uk/news/coronavirus-travel-information
Recruitment: – DWP and Universal Credit: http://news.dwp.gov.uk/dwplz/lz.aspx?p1=MQsDU1NjQ5MlM2OTA0OjNCNDJBOEZCRTJDOUJEOTc1ODQ0RTRCRDNDNzk4QUNF-&CC=&p=0