25th August – Coronavirus News Updates

UK STATISTICS

Total UK Cases: 6,555,200 positive tests
Latest UK daily figure: 30,838 new cases
Number in UK hospital: 6,089
New deaths across UK: 174
Total UK deaths: 131,373
England Cases per 100,000: 326.6
R number in UK: 0.9 to 1.2

Vaccine data:

Total 1^st doses given: 47,737,142 (87.8% of UK adults)
Total 2^nd doses: 41,942,036 (77.2% of UK adults)
Daily 1^st doses: 46,401
Daily 2nd doses: 131,283

Latest Cheshire East data:

Total Cheshire East cases: 32,891
New cases in past 7 days: 1,057 to 19 Aug
Total deaths: 823
Cases per 100,000: 273.4 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

New laws come into force in Scotland to protect retail workers
Retail leaders have called on the UK Government to follow Holyrood in extending new protections for retail workers. From today, retail workers in Scotland will be better protected as the new Protection of Workers Act comes into force. The law, which was passed unanimously in the Scottish Parliament, will make assaulting or abusing retail staff a standalone offence, with tougher sentences for perpetrators.

4,700 Covid cases could be connected to Newquay festival
Cornwall Council said 4,700 cases may be linked to the Boardmasters event between 11 and 15 August. About 50,000 people attended the festival in and around Newquay, which now has the three neighbourhoods with the highest infection rates in England. Cornwall’s public health team said: “We won’t know the complete picture for another few days.” About 800 of those positive cases are people who live in Cornwall.

Government launches UK-wide antibody surveillance programme
Thousands of adults a day will be given free access to antibody tests through a new national surveillance programme launched by the UK Health Security Agency next week, to help improve our understanding of immunity against COVID-19 from vaccination and infection. For the first time, the programme will offer antibody testing to adults in the UK who test positive. From Tuesday, anyone aged over 18 will be able to opt in to take part when booking a PCR test through NHS Test and Trace. Up to 8,000 people who opt in and then receive a positive PCR result will be sent two finger prick antibody tests to complete at home and send back to a lab for analysis.

£4 million fund launched to support community-led housing
The government has launched a new grant scheme, totalling £4 million, that will support community-led construction of affordable housing.
The programme allows community groups to meet costs incurred on developing housing for their local area, such as legal and administrative costs, design work and planning applications. The grant scheme will help to support projects that deliver locally affordable new housing which remains under community control through land trusts or co-operatives.

REGIONAL & LOCAL NEWS:

Regional leaders make final call for feedback on decarbonisation strategy
Northern residents have two weeks remaining to share their feedback on Transport for the North’s (TfN) strategy for achieving decarbonisation of the region’s road and rail network by 2045. TfN set out its draft Decarbonisation Strategy earlier this summer, outlining how the North of England can achieve a target of near-zero CO2 emissions by 2045, five years ahead of the national target. So far, thousands of people from across the region have already engaged with the consultation, but TfN and local leaders are calling on those who have yet to respond to share their views.

Jobs boost as Northwest recruitment company wins £150m Network Rail contract
A Manchester-based staffing and recruiting firm has been awarded a £150m contract to provide Network Rail labour covering a range of strategic and operational roles over the next five years. Vital Human Resources, part of the Morson Group, has been awarded the huge contract that will run until 2026, with a possible extension until 2029. The firm said it will supply 100% of frontline labour for the East Coast Mainline, North East, East Midlands and Wales.

SECTOR SPECIFIC CORONAVIRUS-RELATED NEWS:

BUSINESS:

Kickstart Scheme terms and conditions
Kickstart Scheme terms and conditions for employers and gateways receiving the Kickstart Scheme grant from the Department for Work and Pensions – added updated version of the terms and conditions, effective from 23 August 2021. This version includes a new annex ‘Annex 5: Proof of concept’.

If you move goods between the UK and countries in the EU, you need to follow new customs and tax rules.
HMRC can help you, as we understand how challenging it can be for many businesses. If you have a specific question about importing, exporting or customs reliefs you should call our Customs and International Trade helpline on 0300?? ?322?? ?9434. The helpline is open?? ?from 8am?? ?to?? ?10pm?? ?Monday?? ?to?? ?Friday and?? ?from 8am?? ?to?? ?4pm at?? ?week??ends. You can also send us your questions or webchat.

Other support available includes:

Our HMRC’s YouTube channel where you can watch videos to familiarise yourself with the new customs processes and what you need to do before you trade goods with the EU.

If you buy goods from the EU, or send or sell goods to the EU for your business, our Rules of Origin recorded webinar will help you understand the process and what you need to do.

HMRC live webinars explain existing guidance and give you the opportunity to ask general questions about the content. You can also see responses to other peoples’ questions and the guidance we signpost to for extra help and support. We’re unable to answer questions specific to the items you import or export on the webinars.

Importing – steps you need to take before making your supplementary declaration: advice on what you need to do to be able to make a supplementary declaration and how intermediaries can help.

Customs Import Declarations: an overview: of the whole declarations process.

Exporting: what you need to do to keep your goods moving: covering zero-rated VAT, customs declarations, using an intermediary as well as licences, certificates, and authorisations.

Trader responsibilities when using an intermediary: explaining your responsibilities if using an intermediary to complete import or export declarations.

There are also webinars and videos from other government departments.

There’s also a trader checklist, updated guides and customer forums.

TheTrader Support Service is also available if you’re moving goods between GB and Northern Ireland and use their suite of educational products, including online training modules and webinars for support with the Northern Ireland Protocol.

Why not sign up to our weekly email updates on news and information about importing and exporting with the EU, providing hints and tips for businesses like yours, getting used to the new rules for importing and exporting?

Protect yourself from scams: Stay vigilant about scams, which may mimic government messages as a way of appearing authentic. Search ‘scams’ on GOV??????.UK for information on how to recognise genuine HMRC contact. You can also forward suspicious emails claiming to be from HMRC to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk and texts to 60599. Access the National Cyber Security Centre’s new guide on how to stay secure online and protect yourself or your business against cyber crime by searching ‘Cyber Aware’ on GOV????.UK.

CARE:

Arrangements for visiting out of the care home
Sets out how care homes can support residents on visits outside of the care home – removed reference to the guidance on the MCA and the application of Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) during the COVID-19 pandemic.

COMMUNITY:

Driving test centre waiting rooms during coronavirus (COVID-19)
Check which driving test centre waiting rooms are open and find out what the rules are for using them because of coronavirus (COVID-19) – updated the list of driving test centres to show only those where the waiting room is currently closed. Updated the rules for using the waiting rooms following changes to public guidance.

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

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 – updated the general list of providers

CONSTRUCTION:

Cost of skilled labour jumps 3.6% in one month!
The cost of skilled labour on site increased by 3.6% last month as inflationary pressures cranked-up in the construction supply chain. New payroll data from Hudson Contract show average weekly earnings for self-employed tradespeople rose to £904 during July, handing them an extra £124 over the month. In the North West, July average weekly earnings were £848, a rise of 3.5%and a year-on-year change of 2.8%

Main contract awards slip but rise significantly on 2019 and 2020 figures
The value of main contracts awarded slipped 1% in the three months to July against the previous three months but were 82% up on a year ago and 43% above the same period in 2019. Read the full story to see how the sectors you work in are performing compared to the previous three-month period, 2020, and 2019.

CREATIVE:

National funding received by the North’s creative industries a ‘good start, but not enough’
The national funding received by the North’s creative industries has been a “good start, but it is not enough”, according to a new report by The Growth Company.
The organisation has published its first report examining the future of the creative economy in the North of England, with a focus on Greater Manchester. While the report praises the resilience and innovation of the sector throughout the pandemic, it highlights the challenges ahead – and what a lack of investment in the creative industries would mean for Greater Manchester’s creative sector SMEs and wider business ecosystem.

EDUCATION:

Data on COVID-19 visits: social care providers
Data about Ofsted’s assurance visits to social care providers during our phased return to inspection – new transparency data uploaded for the period 1 September 2020 to 31 July 2021.

HEALTH & WELLBEING:

Testing for coronavirus (COVID-19) before hospital
Sets out how and when to use a PCR home test kit to test for COVID-19 before a hospital procedure – updated ‘Testing for COVID-19 before a hospital procedure’ to replace 119 phone number with 0800 0511 811.

HOSPITALITY:

Stockport’s hospitality sector recognised in Manchester Food & Drink Awards
Stockport’s growing reputation for great food and drink has been recognised with a number of the borough’s establishments shortlisted in this year’s Manchester Food and Drink Festival Awards. In the town centre, restaurant Where The Light Gets In (pictured), has been shortlisted for the Best Restaurant award, with chef-patron Sam Buckley also in the running for the Chef of the Year gong. There were also a number of nominations for Heaton Moor’s food and drink offering. The Moor restaurant has been nominated for Newcomer of the Year; Bernie’s Grocery Store is shortlisted for Food and Drink Retailer of the Year. Both Heaton Moor and Stockport town centre were also acknowledged for the breadth of their food and drink offerings, with the two areas competing with the likes of Altrincham, Prestwich and Ramsbottom for the title of Foodie Neighbourhood of the Year.

MANUFACTURING:

Hotter Shoes surprised at decline of retail as sales surge

Hotter shoes said it is “surprised” about the recent decline in fashion retail sales after announcing a bumper period for the expanding firm. The Skelmersdale-based brand, whose parent company is due to float on the London Stock Exchange’s AIM market later this year, has said its sales rose despite an overall decline in UK retail and the weakest performance since shops reopened in April, according to official figures. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said retail sales volumes dropped by 2.5% between June and July 2021.

PROPERTY:

Proposals to resuscitate the self-build housing sector welcomed by the government.
Conservative MP Richard Bacon has published an independent report suggesting the self-build sector could deliver 30,000 to 40,000 more homes every year; it recommends a major scaling up of self-built homes to boost the overall housing supply. This will – in theory – see homes that can be built in weeks that are better designed, built to the highest environmental standards and with cheaper household bills.

TRAVEL:

Day 2 and day 8 testing for international arrivals: minimum standards for providers
Sets out the minimum standards that private sector providers must meet for the COVID-19 tests for people arriving in England – update on thresholds for testing kits used for international arrivals in response to growing threat of variants of concern. Also includes guidance on minimum standards for providers and their obligations if test kits are not satisfactory after a review of current legislation relating to international travel.

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

Gov.uk: Maintaining Educational Provision: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-educational-provision/guidance-for-schools-colleges-and-local-authorities-on-maintaining-educational-provision

UK Lockdown – Further businesses to close and exceptions: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/874732/230320_-_Revised_guidance_note_-_finalVF

Health – updates from NHS
https://www.england.nhs.uk/news/

Health – Shielding the most vulnerable https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19

Travel: https://media.northernrailway.co.uk/news/coronavirus-travel-information

Recruitment: – DWP and Universal Credit: http://news.dwp.gov.uk/dwplz/lz.aspx?p1=MQsDU1NjQ5MlM2OTA0OjNCNDJBOEZCRTJDOUJEOTc1ODQ0RTRCRDNDNzk4QUNF-&CC=&p=0

Retail: An update form British Retail Consortium https://brc.org.uk/news/corporate-affairs/coronavirus-latest-retailer-activity/

Resources available from Acas:
Redundancy letter templates
Redundancy process map Acas have also contributed to the development of a new return to work toolkit in partnership with SOM, CIPD, BITC and Mind.