UK DATA:
Total UK Cases: 4,439,691 positive tests
Latest UK daily figure: 2,474 new cases
Number in UK hospital: 1,108 (116 new admissions)
New deaths across UK: 20
Total UK deaths: 127,629
England Cases per 100,000: 21.5 per 100,000
R number in UK: 0.8 to 1.1
Vaccine data:
Total 1st doses given: 35,587,348 up to and including 10 May 2021
Total 2nd doses given: 18,088,385
Latest Cheshire East data:
Total Cheshire East cases: 21,023
New cases in past 7 days: 54 to 6 May
Total deaths: 800
Cases per 100,000: 14.1 per 100,000
R number in North West: 0.7 to 0.9
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:
Step 3: Government confirms step 3 out of lockdown will go ahead on 17th May
The Roadmap is on track and planned Step 3 easements will go ahead on 17 May, the Prime Minister has confirmed. The data shows that the government’s “four tests” for easing restrictions have been met. Infection rates are at their lowest level since September, while hospital admissions and patients in hospital continue to decrease – with levels now similar to July last year. Hospital admissions and cases of severe illness also remain in line with modelling provided by scientific experts for the Roadmap.
- From the 17 May, the majority of the indoor and remaining outdoor economy can reopen, gathering limits will increase indoors and outdoors – up to 6 people or 2 households will be able to meet indoors and up to 30 people outdoors.
- Guidance for close contact between friends and family will be updated
- The Stay in the UK restriction will be lifted, people will be able to travel to green list countries, if they permit inbound travel.
- Some larger events will be able to take place, including conferences, theatre and concert performances, and sports events.
- Guidance on meeting family and friends will be updated.
- The public can make informed, personal decisions on close contact, such as hugging, with their friends and family. Close contact continues to carry a risk of catching or spreading COVID-19, and people must consider the risk to themselves and to others. COVID-secure rules remain for the workplace and businesses, such as in shops and hospitality.
- Face coverings will no longer be needed in classrooms or for students in communal areas in secondary schools and colleges.
- Twice weekly home testing will remain to control infection rates.
- All remaining university students will be eligible to return to in-person teaching and learning from May 17 and should get tested twice a week upon return.
- Up to 30 people will now be able to attend weddings, receptions, and commemorative events including wakes, as well as standalone life-cycle events. These can take place outdoors or at any indoor Covid secure venue that is permitted to open. The limit will not apply to children under 5.
- Organised adult sport and exercise classes can resume indoors and saunas and steam rooms may reopen.
- Care homes residents will be able to have up to five named visitors, with two visitors able to attend at once. Residents will also have greater freedoms to leave their home without having to isolate on their return.
Step 4 is due to take place no earlier than 21 June. Further detail on Step 4 will be set out at the end of the month
COVID-19 alert level: update from the UK Chief Medical Officers (10 May 2021)
A joint statement from the UK Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) recommending that the UK COVID-19 alert level move from level 4 to level 3.
TalkTalk to embrace hybrid working as Covid-19 restrictions ease
Telecoms giant TalkTalk has announced a hybrid working pattern for its employees once its Salford headquarters is reopened following the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions. The group is to ask its staff to come into the office at least two to three days per week, with an option to attend five days available.
Government confirms traffic light list ahead of cautious return to international travel
International leisure travel from England no longer illegal from 17 May 2021 but strict border control measures will remain in place.
Red, amber and green list rules for entering England
Countries rated as red, amber or green for Coronavirus (COVID-19) and the rules you must follow to enter England.
LOCAL / REGIONAL NEWS & UPDATES:
Surge testing for new coronavirus (COVID-19) variants
How ‘surge testing’ and genomic sequencing are being used in locations in England where coronavirus (COVID-19) variants have been identified – Bolton Council (targeted areas within the BL3 postcode) added to list of locations
The Saturday Economist: ‘The economy is hotting Up’
The Bank of England revised up its forecast for the UK economy this week. Growth of 7.25% is expected in the current year. In February growth of just 5% was anticipated. The success of the vaccine program, pent up demand amongst households, gross savings and the extension of measures to protect jobs and businesses, improved the outlook for the current year.
Growth is expected to slow to 5.75% next year. Over the two years, the bank is forecasting growth of 13% compared to 12.25% last time. It is the shape of recovery, rather than the quantum of recovery, providing the major difference.
The bank expects inflation to move above target and hit the 2.5% CPI level later this year. This is largely due to rising energy prices and the comparison effects of price falls recorded next year. Thereafter inflation is expected to return to target as domestic demand and the comparison effect of energy costs from 2020 impacts on producer and retail prices.
Manchester Airports Group responds to government announcement on international travel
The operator behind Manchester, Stansted and East Midlands airports, Manchester Airports Group (MAG), has issued a statement following the government’s recent announcement of plans to allow international leisure travel to resume from 17th May. The group’s CEO, Charlie Cornish (pictured), expressed his frustration with the limited number of countries which will see just 12 countries and territories included on the ‘green list‘ where no quarantine period will be necessary on return to England. Previous analysis conducted on behalf of MAG earlier this year estimated that the pace of vaccination in the UK could allow a much wider pool of destinations to be low risk for British holidaymakers compared to last summer.
Long Covid – ‘200 symptoms, 1,000 referrals and the future for patients
A month after the first cases of Covid-19 hit the UK, Dr Raja Murugesan and his fellow GPs began to see a disturbing pattern. People who should have recovered – according to how the disease was then understood – were returning to the ‘hot clinics’ set up in Greater Manchester to deal with the virus. These patients were still suffering from a range of symptoms including breathlessness, fatigue, brain fog, anxiety, heart palpitations and more. There was a steady flow of patients being referred to the clinics four, five, six weeks down the line after first falling ill. Later, those who had caught Covid in March were still suffering in August.
Mental Health Awareness Week is taking place from 10 to 16 May 2021 – a good time to remember that mental health is part of everyone’s health and wellbeing.
BUSINESS:
We Offer Testing To Our Staff (WOTTOS): endorsement scheme
Guidance about a simple and free voluntary promotional scheme for firms who are participating in the government’s free coronavirus (COVID-19) workplace testing programme.
Help and support if your business is affected by coronavirus (COVID-19)
Watch videos and register for the free webinars to learn more about the?support available to help you deal with the economic impacts of?coronavirus – a catch up webinar for the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme – fourth grant has been added.
COMMUNITY:
(COVID-19) Coronavirus restrictions: what you can and cannot do
Coronavirus restrictions remain in place. Find out what you can and cannot do – updated with new summary: “How the rules will change on 17 May”.
Guidance for parents and carers of children attending out-of-school settings during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
Guidance for parents and carers of children attending community activities, holiday or after-school clubs, tuition and other out-of-school settings – updated to provide additional guidance on residential visits, which can commence from Step 3. Updated the guidance on use of face coverings, indoor group sizes and parental attendance at out-of-school settings.
Protective measures for holiday or after-school clubs and other out-of-school settings for children during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
Protective measures for providers of community activities, holiday or after-school clubs, tuition and other out-of-school settings offering provision to children during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
CONSTRUCTION:
Construction output surge sees cost inflation hit record high
Construction buyers have reported record rises in cost inflation as output volumes continue to increase sharply. The latest bellwether IHS Markit/CIPS UK Construction PMI Total Activity Index posted 61.6 in April, down only fractionally from March’s six-and-a-half year peak of 61.7. Any figure above 50.0 indicates an overall expansion of construction output and the index has posted in growth territory in ten of the past eleven months, with January 2021 the exception.
EDUCATION:
All remaining university students to return to in-person teaching from 17 May
Remaining students to return to campus from Step 3 of the Roadmap, alongside launch of new employment and skills guide
Actions for schools during the coronavirus outbreak
Guidance updated in line with Step 3 of the roadmap, including information on face coverings, attendance, pupils travelling to the UK from abroad, educational visits, wraparound provision and extra-curricular activity, music, dance and drama, pupil wellbeing and state-funded school inspection. We have also added further guidance on domestic residential educational visits and a section on transitional, taster and open days.
Actions for FE colleges and providers during the coronavirus outbreak
Find out what you’ll need to do during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak to maintain provision – updated the guidance in line with Step 3 of the roadmap, including information on face coverings, educational visits, extra-curricular activity and Ofsted inspection. We have also added further guidance on domestic residential educational visits and a section on transitional activities.
Actions for early years and childcare providers during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
What childcare services early years settings, childminders and local authorities need to provide during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak – the guidance has been updated to reflect step 3 of the roadmap out of lockdown. Information has been included on staff wellbeing, clinically extremely vulnerable, safe removal of face coverings, attending more than one setting, visits to setting by external professionals, parent and child groups, organised performances, trips, childminders meeting other childminders.
Get help with technology during coronavirus (COVID-19)
Find out about the help available to educational settings and local authorities to support remote and face-to-face education, and access to social care – updated details about social care leavers and who can order devices. Added information about ordering devices and getting support which was previously published on other webpages.
GCSE, AS and A level qualifications in 2021
Publications relating to the awarding of GCSE, AS and A level qualifications in the academic year 2020 to 2021 – added the 2021 student guide.
Vocational, technical and other general qualifications in 2021
Publications relating to the awarding of vocational, technical and other general qualifications in the academic year 2020 to 2021.
Student guide to awarding: summer 2021
A guide for students on how GCSEs, A levels, vocational and technical qualifications will be graded and awarded in summer 2021.
COVID-19: supporting adults with learning disabilities and autistic adults
Guidance for care staff who are supporting adults with learning disabilities and autistic adults during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak – updated to reflect the easing of some COVID-19 restrictions from 12 April.
Face coverings in education
Updated the guidance to reflect that from 17 May face coverings will no longer be recommended for pupils and students in classrooms or communal areas, in all schools and FE providers. Face coverings will also no longer be recommended for staff in classrooms. In all schools and FE providers, we continue to recommend that face coverings should be worn by staff and visitors in situations outside of classrooms where social distancing is not possible.
HEALTH & WELLBEING:
COVID-19 vaccines: further evidence of success
New evidence continues to show vaccination is highly effective in protecting against death and hospitalisation from coronavirus (COVID-19).
COVID-19: providing unpaid care to adults with learning disabilities and autistic adults
Guidance for people who are providing unpaid care to adults with learning disabilities and autistic adults during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
PHE monitoring of the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination
Data on the real-world efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccines.
More restrictions eased for care homes
From Monday 17 May care home residents will be able to have more named visitors and more opportunities to make visits out with no need to self-isolate when they return.
HOSPITALITY, EVENTS AND LEISURE:
Event Research Programme – Ministerial Directions
Ministerial Directions in relation to the Event Research Programme pilot events.
JUDICIARY:
HMCTS weekly operational summary on courts and tribunals during coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
This page provides a weekly summary of the HM Courts and Tribunals Service operational position during the coronavirus pandemic – update for week commencing Monday 10 May 2021.
LEGAL:
Making and registering an LPA during the coronavirus outbreak
If you want to make an LPA now, you can as long as you follow government guidance on social distancing and self-isolating – changes made due to May Roadmap
Coronavirus (COVID-19): Office of the Public Guardian response
This page provides guidance on how OPG is responding to the coronavirus outbreak. It will be updated when new information is available.
LOCAL AUTHORITY:
COVID-19: Local authority compliance and enforcement grant
Information and guidance on the £30 million grant to local authorities for compliance and enforcement activities – changes reflect the new funding arrangements for 2021/22 financial year.
PROPERTY:
Prices up 10% a year? Agency chief says likely next year
A market analysis by Fine & Country suggests that annual house price inflation could hit 10 per cent next month. Nicky Stevenson, managing director of Fine & Country UK, says it’s been well documented through various house price indices that the housing market is soaring. Property consultancy TwentyCi says sales across the UK were on average 30 per cent higher during the first quarter year-on-year, breaching a third of a million for only the second time in history.
RETAIL:
Seasonal peak boosts Hotel Chocolat performance to pre-Covid levels
Easter and Mother’s Day saw a boost in performance for chocolatier retailer Hotel Chocolat. Hotel Chocolat has published an update on its trading performance for the eight-week period ending April 25th 2021, showing a revenue increase compared with 2019. The firm’s revenue increased 60 percent compared to 2020, during which physical retail locations were closed for five weeks but were open for Mother’s Day. In addition, the group’s revenue for the eight-week period is also 19 percent higher than the comparative eight-week period in 2019, bringing its performance for the period up to pre-pandemic levels.
TRAVEL:
COVID-19 risk assessment methodology to inform international travel traffic light system
Risk assessment methodology to support decisions on red, amber and green list country allocations.
Providers of day 2 and day 8 coronavirus testing for international arrivals
Information on the 2 tests you must book, pay for and take during your mandatory 10-day quarantine period after arriving in England, including how to book – updated the list of providers.
Transport Secretary’s statement on coronavirus: Friday 7 May 2021
Speech by Secretary of State for Transport Grant Shapps at the Downing Street coronavirus briefing.
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