UK DATA:
Total UK Cases: 4,542,986 positive tests
Latest UK daily figure: 7,393 new cases
Number in UK hospital: 1,048(153 new admissions)
New deaths across UK: 7
Total UK deaths: 127,867
England Cases per 100,000: 50.3 per 100,000
R number in UK: 1.0 to 1.2
Vaccine data:
Total 1st doses given: 40,886,878 up to and including 9 June 2021
Total 2nd doses given: 28,857,102
Latest Cheshire East data:
Total Cheshire East cases: 21,988
New cases in past 7 days: 437 to 5 June
Total deaths: 799
Cases per 100,000: 113.8 per 100,000
R number in North West: 1.0 to 1.3
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.
UK NEWS & HEADLINES:
Warning: UK Airports stand to lose £2.6bn over the summer
UK airports could lose at least £2.6bn in revenues this summer due to continued restrictions on international travel. That is the warning from the Airport Operators Association (AOA). Earlier this year, Manchester Airports Group issued financial forecasts, based on two scenarios, that could see it suffer from a prolonged impact on international flights.
Furniture brand DFS sitting pretty after lift in orders by 92%
A national furniture brand has announced plans to resume its dividend after seeing orders almost double compared with 2019. In its latest update on recent trading through to June 6 2021, furniture specialist DFS has reported a fourth quarter to date (10 weeks) total order intake up by 92.1 per cent on FY19. Online order intake over the third quarter – while showrooms were closed due to COVID-19 restrictions – was up 222.5 per cent on the prior year.
Less than 30 days to apply for EU Settlement scheme
There less only 30 days to go until the deadline of 30 June 2021 for applications to be made to the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS). All EU, EEA and Swiss citizens and their family members who were resident in the UK by 31 December 2020, should apply without delay so that they can continue to work, study, and access free healthcare and benefits in the UK after 30 June 2021.
LOCAL / REGIONAL NEWS & UPDATES:
Less than a month remains for businesses to apply for Restart Grants
Businesses in the borough they have until 30th June to apply for government Restart Grants. Businesses can apply via the council’s website. The grants support non-essential retail businesses and hospitality, accommodation, leisure, personal care and gym businesses with one-off payments of up to £18,000 to help them reopen safely as Covid-19 restrictions are lifted.
So far, over 2,000 businesses across Cheshire East have been awarded a total of £16 million in grants to cover the costs of reopening safely after Covid-19 restrictions have eased.
Businesses urged to download support pack to help control Covid-19 spread
With Greater Manchester and Lancashire designated as areas of Enhanced Support, organisations with workplaces in and near those communities affected by rapidly rising Covid-19 case numbers are being asked to support efforts to control the virus by sharing communications and guidance with their workforces.
Download the support pack here.
Global Tech Reseller musicMagpie carves big recycling message for g7 leaders
A huge Mount Rushmore style sculpture depicting the G7 leaders made of electronic waste has been erected in Cornwall ahead of this week’s G7 Summit. Commissioned by Stockport based tech reseller musicMagpie, ‘Mount Recyclemore’ is designed to highlight the damage caused to the planet from electronic waste and the excessive disposal of devices that could otherwise be reconditioned and reused. The G7 leaders depicted in the sculpture are: UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Japan’s Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, French President Emmanuel Macron, Italy’s Prime Minister Mario Draghi, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel and US President Joe Biden.
Latest infection rates in Greater Manchester – all boroughs hit twice national average
All ten boroughs now have a rate of over 100, double the national average, with five having rates of over 200 after the latest jumps in the numbers. Despite some signs the increases of the past few days may be slowing ever so slightly, the number of cases more than doubled in week-on-week Stockport and Trafford and almost doubled in Salford. Stockport’s rate has also now gone over the 200-mark following another sharp increase. There were 597 positive tests there in the last week, 361 more than the previous. That is up by 153pc compared to the previous week.
Further measures in additional areas to tackle Delta (B1.617.2) variant
Measures including surge testing, tracing, isolation support and maximising vaccine uptake will be deployed rapidly across Greater Manchester and all Lancashire County Council areas.
BUSINESS:
This June edition of the Employer Bulletin 90 brings the latest HMRC updates to support employers and payroll agents.
The bulletin contains key messages on COVID-19 updates and includes a gentle reminder to send in your expenses and benefits in kind information for the 2020 to 2021 tax year. This edition of the Employer Bulletin covers updates on:
- COVID-19 information
- PAYE
- tax updates and changes to guidance
- customer support.
COMMUNITY:
How to do a coronavirus (COVID-19) rapid lateral flow test at home
Find out how to do a COVID-19 rapid test at home for yourself (or someone else) and report the results. Rapid tests are only for people who do not have symptoms of COVID-19.
Coronavirus and the social impacts on unpaid carers in Great Britain
Indicators from the Opinions and Lifestyle Survey on the social impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on unpaid carers in Great Britain.
Private providers of coronavirus (COVID-19) testing
Lists of and information about private providers who have self-declared that they meet the government’s minimum standards for the type of commercial COVID-19 testing service they offer – updated the general list of providers.
CONSTRUCTION:
No jab, No job!
Pimlico Plumbers is now stipulating those successful candidates for vacancies must be vaccinated against Covid-19. The firm has sought advice from its lawyers and is now enforcing its ‘no jab, no job’ policy as part of its latest recruitment drive.
The London-based firm is looking to take on six new members of its in-house maintenance team, including plumbers, carpenters, an electrician, and a painter.
All applicants will be asked to provide proof that they have had a least one Covid-19 vaccination.
EDUCATION:
Wellbeing for education recovery: grant determination letter
The 2021 to 2022 determination letter to local authorities for the wellbeing for education recovery grant – added ‘Wellbeing for education recovery: grant determination letter for 2021 to 2022’.
HEALTH & WELLBEING:
Monthly statistics for adult social care (England)
Experimental statistics on a range of topics including infection control measures, COVID-19 vaccinations and testing for COVID-19 in adult social care settings.
Weekly statistics for NHS Test and Trace (England): 27 May to 2 June 2021
Experimental statistics on NHS Test and Trace since its launch on 28 May 2020. Includes reports on NHS Test and Trace (people tested and contact tracing) and rapid (lateral flow device) testing for people without symptoms.
Coronavirus and vaccination rates in people aged 40 years and over by socio-demographic characteristic, England: 8 December 2020 to 15 May 2021
First dose COVID-19 vaccination rates among people aged 40 years and older who live in England, both in private households and communal establishments. Includes estimates for ethnic minorities, religious groups, those identified as disabled and by other socio-demographic factors.
COVID-19: how to work safely in care homes
Guidance for those working in care homes providing information on how to work safely during this period of sustained transmission of COVID-19 – updated infographics for putting on and taking off PPE.
COVID-19 vaccination programme
Documents relating to the new coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination programme – updated COVID-19 vaccination training slide set.
JUDICIARY:
HMCTS weekly management information during coronavirus – March 2020 to May 2021
The weekly management information used by HMCTS for understanding workload volumes and timeliness at a national level during coronavirus (COVID-19), March 2020 to May 2021.
HMCTS weekly use of remote audio and video technologies May 2020 to May 2021
Statistics on the use of remote technologies used by HMCTS.
Weekly use of remote hearing technologies in HMCTS
Management information used by HMCTS to understand the use of remote hearing technologies during the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic to support court and tribunal hearings – HMCTS weekly use of remote audio and video technologies May 2020 to May 2021 added.
LOCAL AUTHORITY:
Coronavirus cases by local authority: epidemiological data, 9 June 2021
Weekly watchlist giving epidemiological coronavirus (COVID-19) data for each lower-tier local authority (LTLA) in England.
PROPERTY:
Over 500,000 buyers benefit from Stamp Duty holiday
Over 500,000 homebuyers in England are set to benefit from the stamp duty holiday to the tune of £3.4 billion, according to the latest research. Comparison website GetAgent has analysed Land Registry transaction data to see how the market has already performed between the launch of the stamp duty holiday and the original deadline of March 31. The site then also estimated what the continued impact will look like by the time the clock does finally expire on the initiative, which tapers to a close on September 30.
Covid leads agents to want more facilities for remote working
A survey of property professionals and IT experts across a range of industries has revealed that better remote working technology is now considered to be far more important than before. Workplace company Unispace surveyed over 2,000 senior property and IT professionals on the future of work, and what to expect from the workplace of the near future. Some 40 per cent of respondents expect there to be more technology for remote working in a post-Covid workplace and 34 per cent are expecting to see a new office layout.
RETAIL:
GAP plans to close 19 UK stores
The firm said the decision will leave it with around 50 other standalone and outlet stores, although the group said it is continuing to assess its portfolio as part of a strategic review it started last year. In October, Gap said it could potentially close all its UK, Ireland, France and Italy stores as part of the review as its responded to a slump in trading, as PA reports. The store locations have not yet been disclosed.
TRAVEL:
Red, amber and green travel lists and overseas visits from the UK
Analysis of previously published data on visits and spending by UK and overseas residents and the potential implications of the red, amber and green lists for travel.
Useful Links:
Coronavirus Roadmap out of lockdown – what and when?
From 29 March:
- People will be allowed to meet outside, either with one other household or within the “rule of six”, including in private gardens
- The stay at home rule will end, but the government will urge people to stay local as much as possible
- Outdoor sport facilities will reopen, including golf courses and tennis and basketball courts, and formally organised outdoor sports can restart
- Weddings attended by up to six people can take place in any circumstances
Stage two (no earlier than 12 April):
- All shops allowed to open, along with close-contact services, including hairdressers and beauty salons (including in people’s homes)
- Restaurants and pubs allowed to serve food and alcohol to customers sitting outdoors Gyms and spas can reopen, as can zoos, theme parks, libraries and community centres
- Members of the same household can take a holiday in the UK in self-contained accommodation
- Weddings attended by up to 15 people can take place
Stage three (no earlier than 17 May):
- People can meet in groups of up to 30 outdoors
- Six people or two households can meet indoors
- Pubs, restaurants and other hospitality venues can seat customers indoors
- Up to 30 people can attend weddings or other life events, like christenings
- Remaining outdoor entertainment, such as outdoor theatres and cinemas can open
- Indoor entertainment such as museums, theatres, cinemas and children’s play areas can open
- Performances and large events can restart, but with limits on audience numbers
- Hotels, hostels and B&Bs can reopen
- International leisure travel may resume
- Adult indoor group sports and exercise classes can restart
Stage four (no earlier than 21 June):
- All legal limits on social contact will be removed
- No legal limits on the number of people who can attend weddings, funerals and other life events
- Nightclubs will be allowed to reopen
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
Media and Marketing:
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
Retail: An update form British Retail Consortium https://brc.org.uk/news/corporate-affairs/coronavirus-latest-retailer-activity/
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.
Small businesses received £21.3 billion in COVID-19 support from local authority grants 
Two year extension announced for Covid Recovery Loan scheme 
Research finds Covid-19 has not fundamentally changed the UK labour market