17th December – Coronavirus News Updates

UK STATISTICS

There have been over 11 million confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK and sadly over 146,000 people have died, government figures show. More than 51 million people have now received a first dose of the vaccine, 89% of people in the UK aged 12 and over. 81.5% have had their second and almost 44% have had a booster.

Total UK Cases: 11,097,851 positive tests
Latest UK daily figure: 88,376 new cases
Number in UK hospital: 7,579
New deaths across UK: 146
Total UK deaths: 146,937
England Cases per 100,000: 540
R number in UK: 0.9 to 1.1

Vaccine data:

Total 1^st doses given: 51,360,987 – 89% of UK aged 12+
Total 2^nd doses: 81.5%
Daily 1^st doses: 28,067
Daily 2nd doses: 38,794
Daily Booster doses: 745,183

Latest Cheshire East data:

Total Cheshire East cases: 61,949
New cases in past 7 days: 1,771 to 12 Dec
Total deaths: 915
Cases per 100,000: 458

Coronavirus cases in the UK: daily updated statistics
The latest number of coronavirus (COVID-19) tests, cases and deaths in the UK. The way deaths are reported is based on a 28-day limit between the date of a positive lab-confirmed test and date of death.

Slides, datasets and transcripts to accompany coronavirus press conferences
Slides, datasets and transcripts from press conferences at 10 Downing Street in response to coronavirus

COVID-19: background information
Information on COVID-19 including epidemiology, virology and clinical features – updated with latest global case numbers.

The R value and growth rate
The R range for England is 0.9 to 1.1 and the growth rate range for England is -1% to +2% per day as of 10 December 2021.

UK NEWS UPDATES:

BBC: Bank of England raises interest rates 0.25%
The Bank of England has raised interest rates for the first time in more than three years, in response to calls to tackle surging inflation. The Monetary Policy Committee voted 8-1 in favour of the increase to 0.25%. Rates were cut to a record low of 0.1% in March last year in response to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. The increase came despite fears that the Omicron variant of Covid could slow the UK economy by causing people to spend less. The Bank said global asset prices had initially fallen in response to news of the new variant but had since largely recovered.

Firms plea for help as customers cancel bookings
Business groups are increasing pressure on the government to assist firms suffering from the rise in Covid cases. The CBI urged ministers to provide support “in lockstep with future restrictions”, while UK Hospitality called for business rates to be deferred and VAT discounts extended. The spread of the Omicron variant has hit consumer confidence and seen hospitality bookings cancelled. Labour urged further support for firms, but the government has so far declined.

New record high of cases reported
The UK has reported its highest number of daily infections since the pandemic began, and England’s chief medical officer has warned that more Covid records will be broken. Speaking at a Downing Street news briefing, Prof Chris Whitty said the Omicron variant was moving at a phenomenal pace and that case numbers would continue to hit new highs over the coming weeks. In that case, infections will reach a level that will exceed testing capacity. So why is it happening and what does it mean for the NHS? Three takeaways from a record day:

Omicron is spreading rapidly, Delta is not disappearing – two variants together.
Omicron cases are rising rapidly, probably now doubling every two days
Modelling from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine has suggested that in a best-case-scenario hospital admissions in England could peak at just over 2,000. But in a worst-case scenario they could exceed 6,000.

France applies new restrictions on UK travellers as daily cases hit new high
From 23.00 GMT tomorrow, Friday 17^th, people travelling to France from the UK will be required to have a negative Covid test of less than 24 hours. Once in France, they will have to self-isolate for a week, but that period of quarantine can be ended after 48 hours if they have a second negative test once in France. Compelling reasons will be needed for entry, which includes visiting family – but not tourism or non-urgent work reasons. The new measures apply to everyone regardless of whether they have been vaccinated.

People urged to socialise carefully over Christmas
Be cautious if you plan to socialise over Christmas. That’s the message from the prime minister and England’s chief medical officer as coronavirus infections reached record numbers.

PM announces Chair of forthcoming enquiry into the pandemic
The Prime Minister has appointed the Rt Hon Baroness Heather Hallett DBE as Chair of the forthcoming public inquiry into the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Inquiry, set to begin its work in spring 2022, will be established under the Inquiries Act 2005, with full powers, including the power to compel the production of documents and to summon witnesses to give evidence on oath. Additional panel members will be appointed in the new year to make sure the Inquiry has access to the full range of expertise needed to complete its important work.

UKHSA ramps up testing availability following record week for distribution
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and Royal Mail have today announced that delivery capacity for COVID-19 testing kits will double in response to unprecedented demand.

REGIONAL & LOCAL NEWS:

Manchester Airport shares advice for travel over the festive season
Passengers should be aware of Covid-19 testing requirements before the set out, as well as security rules over liquids. Additionally, Terminal 3 remains closed while passenger numbers remain depressed.

Northern leaders condemn managed decline of the railways
A new railway timetable scheduled to come into force from next December should not be accepted without a clear plan for improving the North’s railway infrastructure. Leaders and transport representatives spoke out during Transport for the North (TfN) – Rail North Committee, chaired by Councillor Liam Robinson.
Greater Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham, said: “In 2014 we were promised an expanded timetable for the North, but at the moment we’re looking at a managed decline of railways in the North with no end in sight.”
Mark Powles, commercial & customer director at Northern Rail, said:
“We had a really strong summer and felt we were in a good position. Two weeks ago, our revenues were 95% of pre-Covid levels. It has been a leisure-led recovery, and we did some extensive marketing to stimulate that market. We were looking forward to that strong trajectory continuing until the year end, but then came the storms and Omicron. But yesterday we were still seeing demand at 70% of pre-Covid levels, which shows the northern leisure travel market is robust and resilient. But the ‘returning to work’ market has been sluggish.” Read more

AstraZeneca to power Macclesfield site with biogas
The pharmaceuticals firm has struck a deal with Future Biogas as part of ambitions for AstraZeneca to achieve net-zero operational emissions by 2025, and become carbon-negative certified by 2030.

Survey launches on future of Macclesfield markets
Cheshire East Council has launched a survey to hear residents thoughts on markets in Macclesfield, and how they would like to see them developed and used in the future. Enhancements to the indoor market were identified as a key way to improve town’s retail offering and draw a wider range of shoppers into Macclesfield.

BUSINESS:

COVID-19: workplace testing terms and conditions
The latest terms and conditions plus standard operating procedure for coronavirus (COVID-19) workplace testing – updated LFD testing agreement for England, Northern Ireland and Wales; added LFD testing agreement for Scotland and standard operating practice for England, Northern Ireland and Wales.

NHS Test and Trace in the workplace
What to do if you or someone you employ is required to self-isolate. This includes being contacted by NHS Test and Trace, self-isolation rules and financial support – updated with advice for contacts who are not legally required to self-isolate to take 7 LFD tests. Removed legal requirements relating to contacts of someone infected with the Omicron variant.

Coronavirus (COVID-19): jobs that qualify for travel exemptions
Jobs that qualify for exemptions from quarantine, passenger locator form or COVID testing requirements – larification of rules for diplomatic missions and international organisations granted privileges and immunities in the UK.

HMRC coronavirus (COVID-19) statistics
HMRC data about the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme, the Eat Out to Help Out scheme, and the VAT payments deferral scheme – added links to 2 Official Statistics publications ‘Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme statistics: 16 December 2021’ and ‘Self-Employment Income Support Scheme statistics: December 2021’. Removed links to Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme Official Statistics publications for 29 July, 9 September, 7 October and 4 November 2021.

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme statistics: 16 December 2021
Time series and statistics as of 30 September 2021 on the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, with analysis by scheme size, sector, geography, age, gender, estimated annual pay and flexible furlough – first published

Self-Employment Income Support Scheme statistics: December 2021
The number of individuals that claimed the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme grants by age, gender, industry sector and geography – first published

Background Quality Report: Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme Statistics
A report helping users to understand the strengths and limitations of the published statistics – included information on new tables introduced in Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme statistics: 16 December 2021 release

CARE:

Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance for children’s social care services
Advice about coronavirus (COVID-19) for local authorities and their partners to help support and protect vulnerable children – updated to reflect that daily testing is now recommended for contacts of COVID-19.

COMMUNITY:

Coronavirus (COVID-19): advice for people in England with animals
Advice for pet owners, livestock and animal keepers on looking after the welfare of animals and people during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. This advice applies to England only – updated with guidance on wearing a face covering.

Finding and choosing a private coronavirus (COVID-19) test provider
Lists of and information about private test providers, to help you get the private COVID-19 tests you need – updated the general list of providers.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) testing: privacy information
Privacy notice for NHS Test and Trace virus testing for all users of the service.

COVID-19: arranging or attending a funeral or commemorative event
Guidance for arranging or attending a funeral or commemorative event during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic – updated to reflect changes in guidance on face coverings and the introduction of the NHS COVID Pass.

Coronavirus (COVID-19): Wedding and civil partnership ceremonies, receptions and celebrations
Guidance for couples planning to get married or form a civil partnership in England, and venues hosting these events – information added about Plan B measures.

EDUCATION:

Coronavirus (COVID-19) workforce fund for colleges
Funding to support colleges and special post-16 institutions with the costs of staff absences from 22 November until spring half-term 2022 – updated the guidance to reflect that the COVID-19 workforce fund has been extended.

Priority appeals centre payments
Guidance on priority appeal payments, eligibility and making a claim for schools, colleges and other exam centres – updated the ‘Priority appeals centre payments’ guidance to include that the claims service for DfE 2021 qualifications funding is now open.

Private candidate support grant: information for exam centres
Exam centre guidance on the private support grant, eligibility and making a claim – updated the ‘Private candidate support grant’ guidance to include that the claims service for DfE 2021 qualifications funding is now open.

Managing coronavirus (COVID-19) in education and childcare settings
What measures education and childcare settings should be prepared to introduce to manage coronavirus (COVID-19) – clarified the guidance on daily testing.

EMPLOYMENT:

Coming to England for seasonal agricultural work, poultry work or pork processing
Advice for seasonal agricultural workers, seasonal poultry workers and pork butchers coming to England to work on farms or processing sites or at slaughterhouses, and their employers – updated with guidance on self isolation rules for contacts of someone with COVID-19.

HEALTH & WELLBEING:

COVID-19 Health Inequalities Monitoring in England tool (CHIME)
A national tool that brings together data to monitor the direct impacts of COVID-19 on health inequalities – indicator data updated to include latest available data (an update for hospital admission indicators was not possible). Local authorities added to the CHIME tool for the first time, in response to user feedback. Indicators of cumulative rates for confirmed cases of COVID-19 for upper tier local authorities and deprivation quintiles within UTLAs have been added. Converted 2 guidance documents from PDF to HTML to improve accessibility.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Infection Survey, UK: characteristics of people testing positive for COVID-19, 16 December 2021
Characteristics of people testing positive for COVID-19 from the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Infection Survey. This survey is being delivered in partnership with University of Oxford, University of Manchester, Public Health England and?Wellcome?Trust.?This study is jointly led by the ONS and the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) working with the University of Oxford and Lighthouse Laboratory to collect and test samples.

COVID-19 vaccine: estimated coverage for people aged 18 and over
Daily number and percentage of the UK population aged 18 and over who have received a first dose, second dose or third or booster dose to date.

Antibody testing for SARS-CoV-2: key information
Information for healthcare workers on the types of coronavirus (COVID-19) antibody tests available and how to interpret results – updated to reflect formation of UKHSA, changed duration of antibody kinetics and protection due to new evidence and updated use-cases for antibody testing.

JUDICIARY:

Coronavirus (COVID-19): courts and tribunals guidance
This page provides advice and guidance for all court and tribunal users during the COVID-19 pandemic and will be updated when new advice is available – updated with additional advice on coming to court in response to the Omicron variant.

LOCAL AUTHORITY:

COVID-19 Additional Relief Fund (CARF): local authority guidance
This guidance is intended to support local authorities in administering the COVID-19 Additional Relief Fund (CARF).

PROPERTY:

High rise in BTL mortgage activity in 2021

UK Finance, the umbrella group representing major mortgage lenders, says there will have been a massive 83 per cent surge in buy to let lending by the end of 2021. This will take the total borrowed by BTL investors in 2021 to £18 billion. But this is dwarfed by the increase in house purchase mortgage borrowing – a total of £200 billion, up 53 per cent on last year. However, remortgage activity was down slightly on last year, at £62 billion in 2021.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Planning Inspectorate guidance – updated 09 December 2021
In response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and guidance from government, the Planning Inspectorate has published guidance on site visits, hearings, inquiries and events – Planning Appeals, Rights of Way and Commons Act 2006 – site visits, hearings and inquiries guidance updated

RETAIL:

Working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19)
Find out how to reduce the risk of COVID-19 spreading in your workplace – shops, branches, and close contact services – updated with new guidance on daily testing for contacts of positive cases, and to remove out of date information on self-isolation for contacts of Omicron cases.

TRAVEL:

TTG: French ban on UK travellers devastating for Ski market
Ski operators are having to contact thousands of clients due to travel to France over the festive season after the French government’s “devastating” decision to ban UK tourists due to the spread of the Omicron variant of Covid-19. From Saturday (18 December), UK visitors to France will need a “compelling reason” to visit the country, which does not include tourism or non-urgent business trips, although visiting family is still allowed by the new French entry regime.
Data informing international travel risk assessments
Summaries to date of the key data used by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) to inform international travel risk assessments – added latest risk assessments.

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