10th November – Coronavirus News Updates

UK STATISTICS

There have been more than 9.3 million confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK and sadly more than 142,000 people have died, government figures show. More than 50 million people have now received a first dose of the vaccine, around 87% of people in the UK aged 12 and over. Nearly 80% have had their second and 18.4% have had a booster.

Total UK Cases: 9,366,676 positive tests
Latest UK daily figure: 33,177 new cases
Number in UK hospital: 8,900, 126 more than on previous day
New deaths across UK: 262
Total UK deaths: 142,124
England Cases per 100,000: 373
R number in UK: 1.1 to 1.3

Vaccine data:

Total 1^st doses given: 50,296,735 – 87% of UK aged 12+
Total 2^nd doses: 45,873,038 – 80%
Daily 1^st doses: 33,559
Daily 2nd doses: 20,361
Daily Booster doses: 277,578 (10,580,122 total booster doses)

Latest Cheshire East data:

Total Cheshire East cases: 52,707
New cases in past 7 days: 1,573 to 4 Nov
Total deaths: 883
Cases per 100,000: 406.8

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
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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 5 November 2021.

UK NEWS UPDATES:

Recruitment firm wrongly claimed furlough as staff worked, ex-employees claim

Thousands of companies are thought to have misused the government’s furlough scheme – introduced to support businesses during the pandemic.

Furlough was introduced in March 2020 after Covid-19 forced large parts of the UK economy to close. Officially known as the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, it saw the government pay towards the wages of people who could not work, or whose employers could no longer afford to pay them, up to a monthly limit of £2,500.

Key to the scheme was that people must not work for their company while furloughed.

Food prices are rising at their fastest pace since August 2020, figures from data firm Kantar suggest, as supply chain disruption continues.
Grocery inflation rose to 2.1% in October – the highest rate since last year, when retailers were cutting promotions amid the Covid pandemic. Last week, the Bank of England confounded market expectations by holding interest rates.
But with overall inflation heading for about 5%, a rate rise is expected soon.

Supply chains have been under pressure from factors including the pandemic and a shortage of lorry drivers. Retail and hospitality groups warned MPs on Tuesday that gaps on shelves and inflationary pressures would continue for the months ahead.

Vaccines to be compulsory for frontline NHS staff in England
Frontline NHS staff in England will have to be fully vaccinated against Covid, the government is expected to announce later. A deadline has been set for next spring to give unvaccinated staff time to get both doses.

REGIONAL & LOCAL NEWS:

Council leader urges collective climate change action
The North-west is at the forefront of the green industrial revolution, with a number of key innovations to tackle climate change being spearheaded in Cheshire.

Latest phase of Woodford Garden Village development set to advance
The next phase of work will see 295 new homes delivered on the Stockport-Cheshire East border, subject to approval by Stockport Council this week.

First flights to the US in almost two years take off from Manchester Airport
Prior the Covid-19 pandemic, more than three million passengers travelled stateside every year from Manchester Airport.

Don’t miss your chance to share your business success and enter first ever Marketing WAM Business Awards
There is still time to submit your business’ entries across all five award categories, with winners announced in a mini-ceremony in January.

SECTOR SPECIFIC CORONAVIRUS-RELATED NEWS:

BUSINESS:

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 – Guidance updated (most sections) to improve readability. Additional information added to sections on managing risk, ventilation, self-isolation and reducing contact for workers.

COVID-19 Response: Autumn and Winter Plan 2021
The government’s Plan A for managing COVID-19 in autumn and winter 2021/22 in England, and a Plan B that would only be used if it was needed to protect the NHS.

CARE:

Making vaccination a condition of deployment in older adult care homes
We are seeking your views on a proposal to make COVID-19 vaccination a condition of deployment in older adult care homes.

COMMUNITY:

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.

How to do a coronavirus (COVID-19) rapid lateral flow test at home
Find out how to do a rapid lateral flow test for COVID-19 and report the results. Rapid tests are only for people who do not have symptoms of COVID-19.

CONSTRUCTION:

Subcontractors still waiting too long for VAT repayments
Specialist contractors are still having to wait months before they receive reclaimed VAT payments following a controversial change in the tax regime earlier this year.

The “domestic reverse charge” change came into force in March and means companies in the construction supply chain no longer receive their 20% VAT payment when they submit bills. The VAT cash is instead paid direct to HMRC by the customer receiving the service who will reclaim it in the normal way.

That has left a lot of specialist contractors no longer receiving VAT payments from customers but still paying them to suppliers. In that situation subcontractors become known as “repayment traders” who are owed money at the end of each quarter by HMRC.

EDUCATION:

Coronavirus and higher education students: England, 22 October to 1 November 2021
Experimental statistics from the Student COVID-19 Insights Survey (SCIS) in England. Includes information on the behaviours, plans, opinions and well-being of higher education students in the context of guidance on the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

HOSPITALITY:

Wetherspoons reports mixed results in first 15 weeks of financial year
Wetherspoons has reported like-for-like sales for the first 15 weeks of the financial year are 8.9 per cent lower than sales achieved in the same period in 2019.
Bar sales were -9.6 per cent, food -8.1 per cent, fruit/slot machines -12.3 percent and hotels were +11.5 percent. This is, however, an improvement compared to sales of -17.8 per cent in the last 10 weeks of the previous financial year, when pubs reopened inside. In the last 15 weeks, there has been a considerable increase in sales of the range of drinks often consumed by younger customers, for example cocktails (+45 per cent), vodka (+17 per cent) and rum (+26 per cent). In contrast, sale of traditional ales are down by 30 per cent and stout down by 20 per cent.

PROPERTY:

Commercial rents code of practice, November 2021
This code of practice replaces the previous code, offering guidance on how parties should resolve COVID-19 commercial rent disputes.

New measures in Bill to assist commercial landlords and tenants in resolving rent debts resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic
Commercial tenants mandated to close to be further protected from enforcement action to pave the way for proportionate resolution of COVID-19 related rent debts.

TRANSPORT:

Transport use during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and developing faster indicators of transport activity
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. This page now includes a new monthly table on practical Large Goods Vehicles vocational driving tests.

Haulier coronavirus testing
To monitor the number of tests delivered and the positivity rate of the tests.

TRAVEL:

International travel update, 9 November 2021
From 4am Monday 22 November, COVID-19 vaccines on the WHO EUL will be recognised and all under-18s coming to England will be treated as fully vaccinated at the border.

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 31^st 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 24^th 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 – 11^th 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