24th September – Coronavirus News Updates

UK STATISTICS

Total UK Cases: 7,565,867 positive tests
Latest UK daily figure: 36,710 new cases
Number in UK hospital: 7,588
New deaths across UK: 182
Total UK deaths: 135,803
England Cases per 100,000: 264.8
R number in UK: 0.9 to 1.1

Vaccine data:

Total 1^st doses given: 48,674,154 – 89% of UK aged 16+
Total 2^nd doses: 44,600,070 – 82%
Daily 1^st doses: 29,462
Daily 2nd doses: 44,065

Latest Cheshire East data:

Total Cheshire East cases: 39,146
New cases in past 7 days: 1,513 to 19 Sep
Total deaths: 844
Cases per 100,000: 391.3 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:

Businesses given more time to prepare for digital tax changes
The government has delayed the introduction of Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self Assessment until the tax year beginning April 2024 to give businesses more time to prepare following the disruption of the Covid-19 pandemic.

£220m investment announced to help most polluting sectors reduce carbon emissions
Businesses have been invited to bid for a share of funding for green projects in the most energy intensive sectors, including pharmaceuticals, steel, paper, and food and drink, with £220 million made available.

First UK manufactured rapid tests deployed across England
The first UK-manufactured lateral flow devices or LFDs are being rolled out to universities across England.

REGIONAL & LOCAL NEWS:

Cheshire businesses invited to online workshop to help win public sector contracts
To help local businesses access public sector opportunities, Cheshire and Warrington Growth Hub will host a free online workshop on Thursday 21st October.

Corner of Stockport has highest Covid cases in Greater Manchester
Marple Bridge & Mellor, to the east of the borough, saw a huge 157.9 per cent increase in cases from September 7 to September 17, with the Office for National Statistics (ONS) recording 49 cases during this period. It paints a very different picture from back in February, when it had the lowest rates in all of Greater Manchester.

SECTOR SPECIFIC CORONAVIRUS-RELATED NEWS:

BUSINESS:

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.

COMMUNITY:

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.

LEGAL:

Coronavirus Act reports
Two-monthly and yearly reports on which powers in the Coronavirus Act 2020 are currently active – added the September 2021 report to the page.

HEALTH & WELLBEING:

Scientific evidence supporting the government response to coronavirus (COVID-19)
Evidence considered by the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) – added link to September 2021 SAGE document collection.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) testing for hospices
Sets out how hospices can access COVID-19 testing for staff and patients on-site, for staff visiting patients in their own homes, and for visitors to hospices – updated to include information on testing for patient facing volunteers.

Government’s New Assets: Winter Vaccination Campaign
The first phase of the Winter vaccination campaign launched on digital channels this week. New materials are available to communicate key aspects of this campaign, including:

Social Media calendar and creative assets

Specific assets to encourage NHS staff and care staff to get the flu vaccine and COVID-19 booster

Weekly statistics for NHS Test and Trace (England): 9 September to 15 September 2021
Experimental statistics on NHS Test and Trace since its launch on 28 May 2020. Includes reports on NHS Test and Trace (people tested and contact tracing) and rapid (lateral flow device) testing for people without symptoms.

PROPERTY:

Eviction for tenants following pandemic rent arrears
People are being evicted from their homes following rent arrears built up during the pandemic, despite the government saying no one should lose their home as a result of the crisis. A third of county court hearings about evictions in England and Wales over the summer were coronavirus-related, according to an investigation. Marshall Kinder-Maiss, 20, his partner Joanne and their baby son Roman face this situation after a ban on bailiff evictions ended earlier this year. They’ve been advised going to court would be pointless. The government says as the economy is re-opening, it’s delivering a fairer and more effective private rental sector.

RETAIL:

Louis Vuitton – LVMH – to recruit 25,000 people under 30

LVMH is planning to recruit 25,000 people under the age of 30 worldwide as
part of plans to accelerate its HR and corporate social responsibility policy.
The roles will include almost 5,000 internships or apprenticeships, as well as 2,500 posts through permanent employment contracts in France. LVMH said it was making the move due to the “particularly difficult economic context for younger generations” following the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic. To support the ambition, LVMH will also be strengthening its Craft the Future action plan.

Retailers reward workers with Boxing Day holiday in response to Covid pandemic
While it may only be September now, the topic of Christmas is already very much alive in the world of retail. Boxing Day has always been one of the busiest times of the year for retail employees across the world as shoppers flock to the stores to take advantage of seasonal sales. However, amid the Covid-19 pandemic, many retailers made the unprecedented move of shutting up shops on December 26 to allow workers to spend time with their loved ones. Morrisons, M&S and Sainsbury’s are just some of the supermarkets that have commented on their Christmas opening hours already. Read the full list of the shops that have confirmed they’ll stay closed this Boxing Day, as well as shutting as normal on Christmas Day

TRAVEL:

TUI to restart flights to Turkey from today
The airline and tour operator will offer 70 weekly flights to Antalya and Dalaman from 10 UK bases for the rest of the summer 2021 season. Flights to Turkey will resume from Belfast International, Birmingham, Bristol, East Midlands, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds Bradford, Stansted, Manchester and Newcastle airports. Turkey was removed from the red list yesterday, (22 September) after last week’s update of the traffic light destination lists.

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