22nd September – Coronavirus News Updates

UK STATISTICS

Total UK Cases: 7,496,543 positive tests
Latest UK daily figure: 31,564 new cases
Number in UK hospital: 7,731
New deaths across UK: 255.6
Total UK deaths: 135,455
England Cases per 100,000: 297.2
R number in UK: 0.9 to 1.1

Vaccine data:

Total 1^st doses given: 48,617,703 – 89% of UK aged 16+
Total 2^nd doses: 44,512,572 – 82%
Daily 1^st doses: 24,684
Daily 2nd doses: 46,451

Latest Cheshire East data:

Total Cheshire East cases: 38,593
New cases in past 7 days: 1,454 to 17 Sep
Total deaths: 842
Cases per 100,000: 376 per 100,000
R number in North West: 0.9 to 1.1

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 UPDATES:

Rules on international travel are changing
The rules on foreign travel to and from England are being simplified.

The traffic light system is being scrapped, and fully vaccinated people will need fewer tests after travelling to most countries. From 0400 BST on Monday 4 October, the amber and green lists will be merged into one list.

Anyone who’s fully vaccinated will no longer have to take a PCR test before travelling back to England from one of these countries. That includes all of Europe and many other popular destinations. They will still have to take a PCR test two days after arrival, but this will be replaced by a cheaper and simpler lateral flow test later in October. The government hopes this change will be in place “for when people return from half-term breaks”.

Statement from MAG CEO, Charlie Cornish:
“The simplification of the UK’s international travel system, including doing away with pre-departure tests and switching to lateral flow on arrival, will make it easier and cheaper for people to travel abroad. For too long, the recovery of UK aviation has lagged behind the rest of Europe. The changes announced today will help to close that gap by encouraging more people to book foreign travel. But for as long as vaccinated travellers have to pay for tests, the recovery of one of the UK’s major industries will be held back. Government must now find a way to give people back the freedom to travel without the barrier of testing.”

Red, amber, green lists: check the rules for travel to England from abroad

Government borrowing higher than expected in August
Government borrowing was higher than expected in August as debt interest payments rose due to higher inflation. Borrowing, which is the difference between tax income and spending, was £20.5bn, ONS figures show. While this was £5.5bn lower than in the same month last year, it was still the second-highest figure for August since records began. Borrowing has been at record levels, with billions being spent on support measures such as the furlough scheme. High levels of government coronavirus support, combined with less money coming into the exchequer due to the pandemic and a fall in economic output, have pushed government debt up to more than £2.2 trillion, or about 97.6% of GDP – a level not seen since the early 1960s.

Tech scaleups selected for Net Zero programme to boost climate schemes
A tech scaleups growth platform has announced that 32 UK businesses have been accepted into a government-backed net zero programme. Net Zero 2.0, implemented by Tech Nation, is the first government-backed programme supporting climate technology companies. The selected companies were judged by a panel including climate specialists, investors and senior representatives from companies such as Google, National Grid, Sky Ocean, Bulb and B Corp, including Hayden Wood, CEO and founder at Bulb, Marta Krupinska, head of Google for Startups UK, and Pippa Gawley, founder & director of Zero Carbon Capital. New data from Tech Nation and Dealroom has revealed there are 519 Net Zero startups and scaleups in the UK, more than France – 270 – and Germany – 318. Areas of focus among the companies chosen for the programme are energy and electricity, transport, buildings and cities, and agriculture, as well as space tech for the first time.

US open to Covid vaccinated travellers
The US is easing its coronavirus travel restrictions, reopening to passengers from the UK, EU and other nations. From November, foreign travellers will be allowed to fly into the US if they are fully vaccinated and undergo testing and contact tracing.

The US has had tough restrictions on travel in place since early last year.

The move answers a major demand from European allies and means that families and friends separated by the restrictions can be reunited.

White House Covid-19 co-ordinator Jeff Zients announced the new rules saying: “This is based on individuals rather than a country-based approach, so it’s a stronger system. Most importantly, foreign nationals flying to the US will be required to be fully vaccinated,” he said.

480,000 cubic feet of oil and gas per day discovered in UK
A group of British oil and gas companies have opened a new well in Lincolnshire despite global gas shortages which are expected to affect prices. Following the completion of the coiled tubing operations on August 19 2021, the new well has “exceeded production expectations.” The well has achieved flow rates in excess of 884 barrels of oil per day and in addition, 480k cubic feet of gas per day.
Europa Oil & Gas holds a 30 per cent working interest in the new site, alongside Egdon Resources U.K. Limited (30 per cent and operator), and Union Jack Oil (40 per cent). Simon Oddie, CEO of Europa said: “We are delighted to report this instantaneous rate of over 950 barrels of oil equivalent per day at the Wressle-1 well, a substantial increase to our previous expectations.

‘Agonising’ waits for child mental health care
Children struggling with their mental health since the pandemic hit have been facing “agonisingly” long waits for treatment, with data from half of England’s specialist services showing one in five youngsters waiting longer than 12 weeks. Some under-18s are turning up at A&E for help and one doctor tells us hospitals have no option but to admit them to wards, even though no specialist support is available.

India to resume Covid vaccine exports
In April, India – the world’s largest vaccine producer – halted exports of coronavirus jabs, as distressing footage of desperate Indians trying to source oxygen for sick loved ones was beamed around the world. Five months on, the Delhi government says it will soon be ready to export again. India’s manufacturers “are expected to produce more than 300 million doses” in October for the domestic vaccination drive and surplus supplies will be sent abroad, it says.

REGIONAL & LOCAL NEWS:

Alderley Park mass vaccination centre stood down
The mass vaccination centre, run by East Cheshire NHS Trust, at Alderley Park was stood down from 21st September now that the majority of eligible adults have been fully vaccinated. Over 92,500 people across all age brackets have received their Covid-19 vaccination at Alderley Park. The space used will now return to its former use as a Conference Centre. GP surgeries and smaller roving and pop-up centres will continue to provide the jabs as the vaccination programme rolls out to 12-15 year-olds and to provide booster doses to the most at-risk groups.

North-West leading UK in construction
The North-West is leading the UK construction industry’s fight back – with the region “bucking the trend completely” in project starts – and experiencing “promising growth”. Glenigan, a construction industry insight and intelligence firm, said on Monday that despite project starts declining consistently across the board, a slowing rate suggests an upward trajectory is due towards the end of the year. It said the one region showing “particular promise” is the North-West, with the highest value of underlying project-starts in the country (less than £100m in value) – up 58% on the same time in 2020 and 13% on 2019.

TfN poll finds the north upbeat about future economy
A new opinion poll commissioned by Transport for the North (TfN) and carried out by Ipsos Mori has found people in the North are broadly optimistic about the economy over the course of the next year. The regional transport body’s poll figures were released to coincide with TfN’s annual conference, which took place on Monday 20th September, streamed live and in full online. TfN and Ipsos Mori have tracked how people across the region have rated their wellbeing since the start of the year. The latest results from September show that the majority, 53%, rank their satisfaction with life as 7 or more out of 10 (where 10 is completely happy) – a significant increase on the 41% in January.

Robinsons support pubs with 50,000 free pints!
Robinsons Brewery is coinciding its 500 Pint Giveaway Campaign with Cask Ale Week, which will run from 23rd September – 3rd October and giving away almost 50,000 pints in a selection of their pubs across Cheshire, Greater Manchester, North Wales and North West. The brewer’s biggest promotion yet will be funded by Robinsons and supported by key suppliers. From 23rd September, customers can visit the 100 participating Robinsons’ pubs, and using their collector cards, get their 5th pint (of any choice) for free with 500 free pints per pub to be given away.

SECTOR SPECIFIC CORONAVIRUS-RELATED NEWS:

BUSINESS:

Working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19)
Find out how to reduce the risk of COVID-19 spreading in your workplace.

HMRC: UK Government’s Plan for Jobs
Information to help businesses prepare for the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) scheme closing on 30?? ?September and a reminder of the 14?? ?October deadline for submitting final claims. To find out what other financial support may be available for you and your business, search ‘find coronavirus financial support’ on GOV??.UK.

Submit your CJRS claims for September

Final CJRS claims for September can now be submitted and must be made by Thursday?? ?14?? ?October. You can claim 60% of furloughed employees’ usual wages for the hours not worked, up to a cap of £1,875 per month per employee. You’ll need to contribute 20% from your own funds so that your furloughed employees continue to be paid at least 80% of their usual wages in total, for the hours they do not work (up to a cap of £2,500 a month).

Preparing for the end of the CJRS – frequently asked questions

Preparing for the end of the CJRS – frequently asked questions
As the CJRS closes on?? 30?? ?September, you’ll be thinking about next steps for your employees and your business. You can find everything you need to know about the CJRS on GOV??.UK including What should I do when the scheme closes? Can I claim CJRS for employees on notice periods? What support is available for my employees if I’m unable to bring them back to work? What support is available to help my business grow after the CJRS has closed? What if I’ve claimed too much in error? What if I haven’t claimed enough?

Final claims for the Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme

The Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme closes on 30?? ?September?? ?2021. You have until 31?? ?December?? ?2021 to submit any final claims, or to amend claims you have already submitted. If you’re an employer with fewer than 250 employees and if you’ve paid Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) to employees for sickness absence or self-isolation that was coronavirus-related until 30?? ?September, you could be eligible for support. You can make claims yourself or speak to your tax agent about making claims on your behalf. The repayment can cover up to two weeks of the applicable rate of SSP. For more information on eligibility and how to make your final claims, search ‘check if you can claim back Statutory Sick Pay’ on GOV??.UK.

A word about scams

We are urging customers to be careful if they are contacted out of the blue by someone asking for money or personal information. We continue to see high numbers of fraudsters calling, emailing or texting customers claiming to be from HMRC. If in doubt, we advise you not to reply directly to anything suspicious, but to contact HMRC straight away and search GOV??.UK for ‘HMRC scams’. The National Cyber Security Centre has a helpful guide on how to stay secure online and protect yourself or your business against cyber crime, which you can find by searching ‘Cyber Aware’.

COMMUNITY:

COVID-19 vaccination: consent form for children and young people or parents
COVID-19 vaccination consent form for children and young people or parents and carers.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions and household emissions
Looks at emissions by Standard Industrial Classification at the Section level, to show the impact of the measures to address the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and the long-term story of emissions levels in the UK.

DVLA Coronavirus (COVID-19) update
Find out the date of applications we are processing and how to access our online services.

The lived experience of disabled people during the COVID-19 pandemic
Findings from research into the experiences of disabled people during the COVID-19 pandemic – added the following formats: British Sign Language (BSL), Easy Read, large print, and Welsh translation.

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.

COVID-19: provision of night shelters
Operating principles for commissioners and providers of night shelters for people experiencing rough sleeping – revised in line with the Prime Minister’s announcement of the COVID-19 response: Autumn and Winter plan.

Moving home during coronavirus (COVID-19)
Guidance for those working within the home buying and selling process and those moving home – revised in line with the Prime Minister’s announcement of the COVID-19 response: Autumn and Winter plan.

CONSTRUCTION:

Slower rate of decline for project-starts suggesting end to market slow-down

Work on-site for private housing climbs 29% on 2020 figures but falls by a third on three months previous
Value of residential work starting on-site increases by over a quarter on previous year but drops 24% against past three months
Hotel and leisure increase projects-starts by over a half compared to last year (52%)
Health best performing non-residential sector, increasing 9% on three months prior and nearly 90% on 2019.
Infrastructure project-starts see downturn, dropping nearly a half (48%)

EDUCATION:

National Reference Test 2022 – information for schools
Information provided by NFER to schools taking part in the 2022 National Reference Test.

Attendance in education and early years settings during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
Attendance in education settings since Monday 23 March 2020 and early years settings since Thursday 16 April 2020.

Ofqual: rolling update
Information on qualifications which have been disrupted by coronavirus (COVID-19).

HEALTH & WELLBEING:

COVID-19: guidance on protecting people defined on medical grounds as extremely vulnerable
Information for protecting people defined on medical grounds as extremely vulnerable from coronavirus (COVID-19).

COVID-19 vaccination programme
Documents relating to the new coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination programme – added COVID-19 vaccination: consent form for children and young people or parents.

HOSPITALITY & LEISURE:

Coronavirus (COVID-19): Safer public places – managing public outdoor settings
Guidance for local authorities, owners and operators to support the safe use and management of outdoor public places while the risk of COVID-19 transmission remains – revised in line with the Prime Minister’s announcement of the COVID-19 response: Autumn and Winter plan.

PROPERTY:

Rent arrears rise by £88m during pandemic waves, lettings agency claims
An estate and lettings agent has analysed how the level of rental arrears has grown between each wave of the pandemic. The research by Barrows and Forrester found that, during wave one of the pandemic restrictions, figures from the ONS estimated that 7% of the 4.8 million private rented households in England were at least one month behind on their rent payments. This equated to some 335,860 homes. The average rent in England in July 2020 – just as the country was emerging from the first wave of the pandemic – was £826 per month, meaning total rent arrears during wave one were at least £277.3 million. However, given that a number of households were more than one month in arrears, Barrows and Forrester says this is a relatively conservative figure.

RETAIL:

Kingfisher sales smash £7bn thanks to “product availability”
Kingfisher has reported a 61.6 per cent increase in its first-half profits after a DIY boom during the pandemic. The group, which owns B&Q and Screwfix, raised its sales expectations for the second half. Kingfisher made an adjusted pretax profit of £669 million for the six months ended July 31. This beat guidance of £645 million to £660 million and was up from £415 million a year earlier. Kingfisher’s sales rose 22.2 per cent on a constant currency basis to £7.1 billion, with like-for-like sales up 22.8 per cent and up 21.3 per cent on a two-year basis.

TRAVEL:

Uber to create 500 new jobs as demand post-lockdown soars
The global giant said it was part of a national recruitment drive that will see it sign up a further 20,000 drivers as demand for rides continues to increase. All Uber drivers are now entitled to at least the National Living Wage – after changes in the law were introduced – although many do earn more.
New travel rules ‘an enormous leap’ for UK says travel boss
Tui Chief Executive Fritz Joussen has described the UK and the US government’s revised travel rules as “an enormous leap forward in returning to normality”.
Joussen described the UK as an “important” market for TUI and said the recent update will eliminate “past uncertainty and boosts confidence and reassurance for overseas travel” in the coming months.

Final Global Travel Taskforce: checkpoint and red list changes
The rules for international travel to England will change on 4 October 2021 in light of the success of the UK’s domestic vaccine rollout.

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 (expected 19th July):

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 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