Latest data:
Testing: 327,608 people have now been tested for the virus (313,769)
New UK Cases: 103,093 have tested positive, + 4,617 on previous day
Loss of life: Sadly, of those in hospital, 13,729 people have died, an increase of 861 on the previous day (12,868)
Government media call daily briefings
Thursday 16th April
The briefing was delivered by Foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab, standing in for the Prime Minister, following chairing the Cabinet and leading an emergency Cobra meeting this afternoon.
Continuation of Social Distancing Measures
The Government announced today that the current social distancing measures will remain in place for at least the next 3 weeks until 7 May. The advice from SAGE (the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies) is that relaxing any of the measures currently in place would risk damage to both public health and our economy.
Raab warned that unlocking at this time would risk an increase in the spread of the virus leading to a second peak, more deaths and causing more damage to the economy.
Foreign Secretary’s statement on coronavirus (COVID-19): 16 April 2020
The slides and datasets used during today’s press conference can be found here. A reminder on the guidance on the closure of certain businesses and venues a part of social distancing can be found here.
Wednesday 15th April
The evening’s press briefing by Health Minister Matt Hancock focused on the Social Care sector:
- All care home residents leaving hospital will be tested before being readmitted into their care home
- A single brand for social care staff is being introduced, similar to those worn by NHS staff, to enable those in the sector can so that care staff can wear a badge with pride and receive similar favourable treatment from businesses like supermarkets.
- Wherever possible, relatives will be able to be with their loved ones at end of life due to the coronavirus
Slides and datasets to accompany coronavirus press conference: 15 April 2020
Press conference slides and datasets used by Professor Angela McLean, Deputy Chief Scientific Adviser.
Coronavirus (COVID-19): adult social care action plan
This document sets out how the government will support the adult social care sector in England throughout the coronavirus outbreak including: controlling the spread of infection in care settings; supporting the workforce; supporting independence; supporting people at the end of their lives and responding to individual need and supporting local authorities.
Tuesday 14th April
- Regarding the economic impact of Covid-19 on the UK, OBR’s figures indicate the economy is expected to shrink by 35% by June but will ‘bounce back’
- It remains a priority to protect the health of people
- Covid-19 has been recorded at over 2,000 care homes
The Chancellor referred to a report by the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) out today, but he said this is not a forecast or a prediction. He added that it refers to one scenario but it was not possible to know if this would be the likely scenario for the UK economy. He accepted however that the economic impact of the lockdown would be significant.
Professor Stephen Powis presented the latest official graphs tracking the virus and monitoring transport use, hospital admissions and deaths but the figures do not include fatalities outside of hospital and in care homes. Health Secretary Matt Hancock is expected to make an announcement on social care later today.
Slides from today’s briefing
Monday 13th April:
Dominic Raab led the Government briefing:
- Government advisers to meet tomorrow – Tuesday 14th April – to review the spread of Covid-19 and to assess the effectiveness of the current lockdown
- Unlikely to be any changes to restrictions anytime soon
- Country still not past the peak of the virus
- Re-assessing the use of masks for the public in outdoor situations
Foreign Secretary’s statement on coronavirus (COVID-19): 13 April 2020
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab 13 April 2020 daily press briefing on the government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Chancellor provides over £14 billion for our NHS and vital public services
More than £14 billion from the Coronavirus emergency response fund will go towards public services, including the NHS and local authorities involved in the fight against Coronavirus, HM Treasury confirms today (Monday 13 April 2020).
Sunday 12th April:
The latest number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases and risk level in the UK.
As of 9am on 12 April, 350,575 tests have concluded, with 18,000 tests carried out on 11 April. 282,374 people have been tested, of whom 84,279 tested positive.
As of 5pm on 11 April, of those hospitalised in the UK who tested positive for coronavirus, 10,621 have died. The UK became the fifth country to surpass 10,000 deaths on Sunday, joining the US, Spain, Italy and France.
UK leads global fight to prevent second wave of coronavirus
Today’s announcement of support to UK charities and international organisations will make the UK one of the biggest donors to the global response
Slides and datasets to accompany coronavirus press conference: 12 April 2020
Press conference slides and datasets used by Dr Yvonne Doyll
Saturday 11th April:
Home Secretary outlines support for domestic abuse victims
Home Secretary Priti Patel announces support for domestic abuse victims at daily Government press conference.
Friday 10th April:
Slides and datasets to accompany coronavirus press conference: 10 April 2020
Press conference slides and datasets used by Professor Jonathan Van-Tam.
EMPLOYERS / BUSINESSES / FINANCE
Changes to eligibility for Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
Updates you on an important change to the scheme relating to employee eligibility:
- you can claim for employees that were employed as of 19 March 2020 and were on your PAYE payroll on or before that date; this means that you will have made an RTI submission notifying us of payment of that employee on or before 19 March 2020
- employees that were employed as of 28 February 2020 and on payroll (i.e. notified to us on an RTI submission on or before 28 February) and were made redundant or stopped working for you after that, and prior to 19 March 2020, can also qualify for the scheme if you re-employ them and put them on furlough.
More information on this can be found on GOV.UK.
The only way to make a claim is online. You will need a Government Gateway (GG) ID and password – if you don’t already have a GG account, you can apply for one online, or by going to GOV.UK and searching for ‘HMRC services: sign in or register’
As you prepare to make a claim, please note the online claim service will be launched on GOV.UK on 20?? April 2020 – please do not try to access it before this date as it won’t be available
Guidance on GOV.UK is being regularly updated so please review it frequently.
A new Coronavirus Business Support Hub is now available at gov.uk/business-support
The hub brings together key information for businesses including on funding and support, business closures, your responsibilities as an employer and managing your business during coronavirus. The hub also includes information for self-employed people and sole traders.
HMRC will assess your eligibility for the grant based on your total income and trading profits. This guide details how we do this. You can also use this guide to find out if you’re eligible and how much you may get.
Temporary changes to the Statutory Residence Test
The Chancellor of the Exchequer has proposed a change to the tax legislation to allow highly skilled individuals from across the world to come to the UK and help us respond to this unprecedented health emergency. The Statutory Residence Test (SRT) will be amended to ensure that any period(s) between 1 March and 1 June 2020 spent in the UK by individuals working on COVID-19 related activities will not count towards residence tests that potentially bring global earnings within the purview of UK taxation. These changes are time limited and will only support those people whose skillsets are currently required.
HMRC – Making make a claim under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.
If you’re eligible for the scheme, there are things that you can do now to be ready when the system is up and running later this month. HMRC are hoping that the portal will be operational from 20th April with the first round of payments paid to employers by 30th April.
You’ll need to provide the following to make a claim:
- The bank account number and sort code you’d like us to use when we pay your claim.
- The name and phone number of the person in your business for us to call with any questions.
- Your Self-Assessment UTR (Unique Tax Reference), Company UTR or CRN (Company Registration Number).
- The name, employee number and National Insurance number for each of your furloughed employees.
- The total amount being claimed for all employees and the total furlough period.
If you use an agent who is authorised to act for you for PAYE purposes, they will be able to make a claim on your behalf, so please speak to them now.
However, if you use a file-only agent (files your RTI return but doesn’t act for you in other matters), they won’t be able to make a claim for you and you’ll need the information listed above from them to make the claim yourself.
For more detailed advice, please visit GOV.UK. This guidance is being regularly updated, so please review it frequently.
You may also find this recorded webinar helpful, ‘Coronavirus (COVID-19) Job Retention Scheme‘, available on HMRC’s YouTube channel.
Request for Business Intelligence and Assistance
How could your business might help with the response to coronavirus? Use the Government’s online service
Share the impact coronavirus is having on your organisation
The Government would like to know how the outbreak is affecting your business. Commercially sensitive information will be treated accordingly. Please send your intelligence to intel@beis.gov.uk
Bank of England: Financial Policy Committee statement
The Financial Policy Committee (FPC) met to review developments in the financial system related to the outbreak and spread of Covid-19 (Coronavirus).
MHRA guidance on coronavirus (COVID-19)
Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Authority – MHRA – added link to new guidance on Approval of GxP documents when working from home during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, in the ‘Inspections and good practice’ section.
A more buoyant week for financial markets
A bumper week for global stock markets was driven by a fall in the rate of new COVID-19 (or coronavirus) cases, as well as ongoing support from central banks and governments. Thoughts are now rather optimistically turning to an eventual endpoint for lockdown conditions.
This includes for the NHS and local authorities, with almost £2bn allocated to the devolved administrations.
FCA: insurance firms must act quickly to support SMEs during COVID-19 disruption
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has warned insurance firms to ensure they act quickly to process business claims relating to COVID-19.
Over £1.1bn has been lent to SMEs through the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme.
UK Finance has announced £700m of lending in the last week – an increase of 150%. 6,020 loans have now been made via the scheme, with the number of loans made each day growing. 28,460 applications have been received from businesses.
Cheshire businesses grant funding payments
Government Guide to accessing grant funding
Covid-19 Business Grant Funding Documentation
Councils given greater financial relief against cash flow pressures
Councils will be allowed to defer £2.6 billion in business rates payments to central government, and £850 million in social care grants will be paid up front this month.
Details of the Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CLBILS) have been revealed.
Brought forward by lenders accredited by the British Business Bank, the initiative will help provide facilities of up to £25m for those with turnover of between £45m and £250m, and facilities of up to £50m for those with revenue of more than £250m, which are suffering disruption to their cashflow.
CLBILS will support term loans, revolving credit facilities, invoice finance and asset finance facilities. It is designed to give lenders “greater confidence to provide funding” by providing a partial guarantee of 80 per cent of the outstanding facility balance.
Chancellor expands loan scheme for large businesses
A government-backed loan scheme for large businesses affected by coronavirus has been expanded to cover all viable firms, the Chancellor announced today.
New case studies and advice have been added to the business support web pages
You can find an update from HMRC’s CEO on what furloughed workers need to know, and how Hawksmoor Restaurant plans to take advantage of the Job Retention Scheme. You can find further case studies here.
Companies House support for businesses hit by COVID-19
Changes announced today will help businesses avoid being struck off the Companies House register as they deal with the impact of the coronavirus outbreak. Find out more here.
Readout of G7 leaders’ call: 16 April 2020
Dominic Raab represented the UK in a virtual summit of G7 leaders.
3/2020: Council Tax information letter – 16 April 2020
This letter provides a brief Q&A note on the technical implementation of the £500 million hardship fund.
Further useful advice and guidance
Access an easy to follow guide on who is eligible for grant funding and how to access funding grant
Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance on business support grant funding
Guidance for local authorities setting out details of the Small Business Grants Fund (SBGF) and Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund (RHLGF). Version 3 published with updates on State Aid, monitoring and reporting requirements, new annexes on state aid, Spotlight, and post payment checks, clarification of eligibility of charities.
COVID-19: guidance for employees, employers and businesses
Updated guidance for employers and businesses on coronavirus and guidance for employees, employers and businesses in providing advice about the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
Webinars and videos from HMRC are now available, advising businesses on how to deal with the economic impacts of coronavirus, and how to access support.
ACAS runs a series of webinars on employment law and employment relations
HEALTH:
COVID-19: guidance for commissioners and providers of services for people who use drugs or alcohol
COVID-19 guidance for commissioners and service providers for those dependent on drugs or alcohol. Added guidance for commissioners and providers of services for people who use drugs or alcohol.
COVID-19: guidance on shielding and protecting people defined on medical grounds as extremely vulnerable
Information updated for shielding and protecting people defined on medical grounds as extremely vulnerable from COVID-19.
Guidance for consumers on coronavirus (COVID-19) and food
Advice for consumers in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak in the UK.
Testing of care home residents and staff
The Department of Health and Social Care has said that all care home residents and staff with coronavirus symptoms will be tested. They have also published a plan on how the Government will support the adult social care sector throughout the coronavirus outbreak.
Information for the social care sector on responding to the coronavirus pandemic.
Guidance on coronavirus testing for critical workers
Guidance is available on coronavirus testing for critical workers who are self-isolating. As part of the key worker testing programme NHS and social care critical workers who are self-isolating because of coronavirus symptoms are currently being tested. This list will be updated as testing becomes more widely available. If you are not covered in this list, you should continue to follow the government guidance for self-isolating.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) information leaflet
Easy read versions leaflet in Welsh and English on what to do to help stop the spread of coronavirus, including information on symptoms and government support.
The 3-strand plan launched – guidance, distribution, and future supply – will provide clear guidance on who needs PPE and when they need it, ensure those who need it can get it at the right time and set out action to secure enough PPE to last through the crisis. A full, 24/7 military operation is already underway to deal with the unprecedented, global demand for PPE as a result of this pandemic. A new national supply and logistics network has been created from scratch in a matter of weeks to manage supply and demand across the UK, and to make sure appropriate PPE reaches those who need it.
The NHS Nightingale in Manchester opens to patients
The Manchester Central Convention Complex, latterly G-Mex, has been transformed into a huge field hospital on stand-by to accommodate hundreds of coronavirus patients.
Mental Health Advice for employers and employees
There is also a helpful resource on finance, housing and unemployment worries from the same source https://mentalhealth.org.uk/coronavirus/finance-housing-debt-money-unemployment-worries
Government sets out plan for national effort on PPE
UK-wide plan announced to ensure personal protective equipment (PPE) gets to where it is needed most.
Coronavirus (COVID-19): personal protective equipment (PPE) plan
Cross-government UK-wide plan to ensure that critical personal protective equipment (PPE) is delivered to those on the frontline responding to coronavirus (COVID-19).
Covid-19 adoption support fund scheme to help vulnerable families
Up to £8 million in funding for adoptive families to meet needs arising from coronavirus outbreak
COVID-19: guidance for households with possible coronavirus infection
Stay at home guidance updated for households with possible coronavirus (COVID-19) infection.
Coronavirus (COVID-19): how organisations can support the testing programme
The government wants help from organisations with laboratory capability to increase the testing programme in the UK as part of its strategy to protect the NHS and save lives.
Health Secretary launches biggest diagnostic lab network in British history to test for coronavirus
Health Secretary Matt Hancock has officially opened the biggest diagnostic lab network in British history at the launch of a new a site in Milton Keynes.
Pharmaceutical companies working to produce millions of tests – The Department of Health and Social Care says that the country’s ‘top pharmaceutical and diagnostic companies’, such as AstraZeneca and GlaxoSmithKline, are working to develop and produce millions of coronavirus tests over the coming months.
NHSX launches plan to aid isolated – The Department of Health and Social Care has announced that NHSXis working with technology firms, including Facebook, to help the at-risk and isolated to access emotional support and companionship.
Prioritising the checking of medical equipment: The Home Office, HMRC, and the Border Force have announced that new procedures have been introduced to prioritise the checking of medical equipment, enabling the NHS to flag up critical supplies in advance.
NHS to benefit from £13.4 billion debt write-off
Health Secretary – over £13 billion of debt will be written off as part of a major financial reset for NHS providers, including regional breakdown of cancelled debt.
Coronavirus (COVID-19): ventilator supply specification
Under review – specification of rapidly manufactured ventilator systems needed as part of the response to coronavirus (COVID-19).
Former Olympics director leads work to protect clinically vulnerable people
Chris Townsend OBE appointed to lead the cross government shielding programme in England.
MHRA guidance on coronavirus (COVID-19)
Added a section on Medical Device Alerts (MDAs) related to coronavirus (COVID-19) for industry covering the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
Personal protective equipment (PPE) hub
A new hub containing guidance on personal protective equipment (PPE), and infection prevention and control (IPC) is now available, containing information for both health and social care settings and other workers and sectors.
The hub also links to the Cross-government UK-wide PPE plan to ensure that critical PPE is delivered to those on the frontline. This includes a new ‘Make’ strategy of encouraging UK manufacturers to produce PPE. We would welcome support from manufacturers who wish to offer their production facilities where they can meet the required specifications for use by the NHS and care sector. New offers can continue to be made via www.gov.uk/coronavirus-support-from-business.
EXPORT:
Notice to exporters 2020/09: Export Control Joint Unit updates guidance on compliance checks for open licences
Details of changes and further clarification on compliance checks for open licences (guidance in second document on this page).
Notice to exporters 2020/10: processing licence applications during coronavirus (COVID-19)
The Department for International Trade has revised arrangements for processing licence applications during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
EDUCATION:
The Department for Education has announced that students will receive exam results in August as agreed at the start of the school year, despite exams being cancelled this summer.
The Department for Education has published guidance on how school and college accountability and performance tables will work for 2019-2020.
As part of steps taken to fight the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), the Dof E have said they will not publish any school or college level educational performance data based on tests, assessments or exams for 2020. The guidance explains how school and college accountability will now operate for 2019 to 2020.
Awarding vocational and technical qualifications this summer
Calculated results for qualifications used for progression to higher and further education. Arrangements for other qualifications to be issued after Easter
Coronavirus (COVID-19): school closures
Updated information on mental health issues, educational staff from overseas, primary school place offers for April 2020, exclusion and the governing board’s duty to reinstate excluded pupils.
Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance for schools and other educational settings
Added a link to ‘Admission appeals for school places’ which contains guidance on the coronavirus (COVID-19) impact on school admission appeals within guidance and advice about coronavirus (COVID-19) in educational settings for staff, parents and carers, pupils and students.
Adoptive families will be offered emergency support including online counselling and couples therapy as the Government expands the scope of the Adoption Support Fund to meet needs arising from the outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19).
The Times: Schools could re-open in a matter of weeks
Schools could reopen in a few weeks as coronavirus restrictions begin to be lifted, Public Health England suggested this morning. Paul Cosford, the agency’s emeritus medical director, said that easing the lockdown for the young first was being considered as ministers look to set out an exit plan for the coming weeks.
Response to 31 March direction from Secretary of State for Education
Response from Sally Collier, Chief Regulator, Ofqual, to the Direction from the Secretary of State for Education, about awarding results for GCSEs, AS and A levels in 2020. It refers to work that will now be done in order to calculate students’ GCSE, AS and A level results during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
Ofqual seeks views on GCSE and A level grading proposals for 2020
Consultation published on exceptional arrangements for awarding GCSEs, AS, A levels, Extended Project Qualification and Advanced Extension Award in maths.
Coronavirus (COVID-19): early years and childcare closures
Updated introductory sections and sections on Who this guidance is for, Prioritising children, Funding, Staying open for children of critical workers and vulnerable children, Early Years Foundation Stage and Holidays. Guidance for local authorities, early years settings and childminders about childcare provision following the outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19).
Guidance to relax the process of school admissions appeals so that they do not have to be made in person.
Parents must continue to have the right to appeal to any school which has refused their child a place. We will, therefore, be making regulatory changes that, subject to legislation, will come into force on 24 April 2020.
TRANSPORT / TRAVEL:
17 more charter flights from India to return thousands of stranded Brits
Seventeen more charter flights from India, with a total capacity of around 4000 passengers, will bring back more people in India who have been waiting for flights
Temporary relaxation of the enforcement of the drivers’ hours rules: all sectors carriage of goods by road
Extension of the current relaxations of the EU and GB drivers’ hours rules for drivers carrying goods by road apart for break derogation in EU rules, until 31 May 2020.
Travel restrictions and a dramatic reduction in demand for flights has impacted passenger numbers, much like most airports.
MAG’s trio saw figures reduce by 56.5 per cent year-on-year in March, with April expected to be down at a more significant level.
The Office for Rail and Road has updated its travel advice for rail passengers making essential journeys.
This page contains current coronavirus (COVID-19) advice for the railway industry, and a summary of their own working arrangements at the present time, including new information on ticket acceptance and refunds.
Annual inspection waiver for tank vehicles
Revision to include clarification from revision 2 on notice allowing tank vehicles, with extended roadworthiness test certificates, to remain in service and on our roads without a valid ADR 1(C) certificate.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) transport data: methodology note
Data sources and methodology information for transport data that is part of the government’s daily media briefings on coronavirus (COVID-19).
Emirates rolls out rapid pre-flight Covid-19 testing
Emirates has announced a range of new precautionary measures to guard against the spread of coronavirus, including testing all passengers for Covid-19 prior to boarding for the first time.
NATS eligible for funding of up to £92 million to maintain services
£1.1 billion support package for air navigation service providers across Europe affected by COVID-19 events
EMPLOYMENT:
The Chancellor has written to the chair of the Treasury Select Committee to outline temporary changes to the Statutory Residence Test (SRT) for those coming to the country to work on Covid-19 related activity.
The country is currently dealing with an unprecedented health crisis and the Government is taking action to welcome talent and expertise from across the world to help us to tackle Covid-19.
Eastern European farm workers flown into the UK to pick fruit and vegetablesBritish farmers recently warned that crops could be left to rot in the field because of a shortage of seasonal workers from Eastern Europe. Travel restrictions due to the coronavirus lockdown have meant most workers have stayed at home.
Several UK growers have launched a recruitment drive, calling for local workers to join the harvest to prevent millions of tonnes of fruit and vegetables going to waste. However, concerns remain that they won’t be able to fulfil the demand on farms.
Cheshire East Jobs Match
Cheshire East Council has launched a new job matching service to help people, who are temporarily not working, find jobs in key roles where support is needed.
The free job matching service will help to connect employers across Cheshire East who have urgent temporary or permanent vacancies with applicants who are immediately available and in need of employment.
For more information about this, and about financial support during the Covid-19 outbreak, visit the Council website:
LEISURE:
UK Hospitality says that the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Hospitality and Tourism is launching an urgent inquiry into ‘the best ways to support the recovery of businesses hit by COVID-19′. It will publish its findings by mid-May, with recommendations for how the Government can help businesses in the sector. The APPG’s Chair, Steve Double MP said ‘ensuring these sectors get back on their feet quickly should be one of the Government’s top priorities’.
CONSTRUCTION:
Fresh site rules where 2m distancing cannot be obeyed
Version 3 of the industry’s site operating procedures allows closer than 2m working in special circumstances that are essential to project delivery.
The new Construction Leadership Council guidance recommends that where close working cannot be avoided it should be limited to less than 15 minutes and workers should be side by side rather than face to face.
Homes England ramps up development pipeline to support the housing market Homes England, the government’s housing agency, has revealed that it acquired 19 sites in the last financial year worth £180 million, with the land having the capacity for 5,000 new homes across the country. Several major acquisitions were completed in the lead up to financial year-end, demonstrating how the agency is taking a long-term view of housing demand in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and continuing to develop a strong pipeline of projects to support the recovery of the housebuilding sector.
Removal of unsafe cladding
Joint pledge to continue vital building safety work during pandemic
Essential safety work to replace unsafe cladding on high-rise buildings will continue during the Covid-19 emergency.
Essential safety work to replace unsafe cladding on high-rise buildings will continue during the Covid-19 emergency, following a commitment from local leaders to Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick MP.
The Mayors of Greater Manchester, Sheffield City Region, London, Liverpool City Region and the West Midlands have pledged their commitment to ensuring vital safety work can continue, where necessary social distancing rules are being followed.
Faithful & Gould has been appointed to advise those planning and doing ACM cladding remediation work, including identifying and increasing awareness of safe practice under current Covid-19 restrictions.
Examination of lifting equipment
The Health & Safety Executive has published guidance on the examination of lifting equipment, and their approach to enforcement on this issue, during the current crisis
Industry feedback – Government support
The Construction Industry Coronavirus Task Force has prepared a short survey to anonymously capture feedback on use and experiences of business trying to access support provided by HMG. Please take two minutes to fill out here
Industry feedback – employment
As part of our work to respond to the current crisis, we are keen to understand the latest information on levels of activity and employment in the industry. To support this work, please can you take 2 minutes to fill out the following survey
Update from Construction Enquirer
MARKETING, COMMS, DIGITAL:
Updates include the harsh realities of the pandemic as well as looking at new ways companies are finding of thriving, a new programme of virtual training and bespoke events as well as a more ‘light-hearted’ look at how people are using their time.
PROPERTY:
Survey offers detailed picture of Covid-19’s impact on rent collection
Less than half the rent due on rent quarter day was paid on the day, according to a survey of rent collection levels across more than 18,350 properties compiled by Remit Consulting using data from leading property managers and shared exclusively with Property Week. The survey offers the most detailed picture yet of the impact of the coronavirus outbreak on rent collection.
Just 48% of rent due was paid on rent quarter day, increasing to 57% seven days later. The equivalent figures for last year were 79% and 90%, according Remit’s 2019 REMark report.
RETAIL:
High Street stores Oasis and Warehouse enter administration
Fashion chains Oasis and Warehouse have entered administration, with about 200 jobs lost and more than 1,800 staff furloughed.
The group sells womenswear under Oasis, womenswear and menswear under Warehouse, and menswear through The Idle Man.
They will continue to be sold online short term while administrators from Deloitte try and secure a sale.
The brands had already shut their 92 stores because of the coronavirus lockdown, while Oasis Warehouse group also had 437 concessions in department stores including Debenhams and Selfridges.
Price of high-demand food bought online in UK rises sharply
A basket of the products – including tinned beans, toilet roll and cleaning materials – costs 4.4% more than just before lockdown measures began a month ago, according to the government statistics agency, which carried out the comparison.
Prices rose by 1.8% in the past week alone, driven by soaring pet food prices and a sharp increase in the cost of rice, nappies and handwash.
The British Retail Consortium says that March saw the worst fall in retail sales on record, falling by 4.3%. According to BRC’s Chief Executive Helen Dickinson this ‘masked even more dramatic swings: food and essentials faced an unprecedented surge in demand in the early part of March, only to drop significantly into negative growth after the lockdown and introduction of social distancing in stores.’ She warns that ‘hundreds of thousands of jobs’ are at risk.
New Updates and Guidance – Business Support FAQs
Frequently asked questions for businesses and employers, on business closures and stay at home, and on the self-employment income support scheme, are available on the business support website.
Useful links:
Government – Business Support:
Government – Business Support: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19
Government – Financial Support:
Webinars and videos from HMRC are now available, advising businesses on how to deal with the economic impacts of coronavirus, and how to access support.
Government – Business Support:
Bank of England – Financial Support:
https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/news/2020/march/the-covid-corporate-financing-facility
Cheshire East Council
Business helping businesses: https://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/council_and_democracy/council_information/coronavirus/cheshire-east-business-helping-business.aspx
Gov.uk: Maintaining Educational Provision:
UK Lockdown – Further businesses to close and exceptions:
Cheshire and Warrington Growth Hub
Health – updates from NHS
https://www.england.nhs.uk/news/
Health – Shielding the most vulnerable
Travel:
Updates from Northern Rail: https://media.northernrailway.co.uk/news/coronavirus-travel-information
Recruitment: – DWP and Universal Credit
Retail: An update form British Retail Consortium
https://brc.org.uk/news/corporate-affairs/coronavirus-latest-retailer-activity/
Useful information for the Self-Employed:
https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2020/03/uk-coronavirus-help-and-your-rights/#vid
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