26th November – Coronavirus News Updates

UK STATISTICS

There have now been almost 10 million confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK and sadly 144,000 people have died, government figures show. More than 50.7 million people have now received a first dose of the vaccine, nearly 88% of people in the UK aged 12 and over. About 80% have had their second and 28% have had a booster.

Total UK Cases: 9,974,843 positive tests
Latest UK daily figure: 43,676 new cases
Number in UK hospital: 7,874, 233 fewer than on previous day
New deaths across UK: 149
Total UK deaths: 144,286
England Cases per 100,000: 450
R number in UK: 0.9 to 1.1

Vaccine data:

Total 1^st doses given: 50,827,554 – 88% of UK aged 12+
Total 2^nd doses: 80%
Daily 1^st doses: 26,822
Daily 2nd doses: 22,002
Daily Booster doses: 365,152

Latest Cheshire East data:

Total Cheshire East cases: 56,373
New cases in past 7 days: 1,649 to 20 Nov
Total deaths: 902
Cases per 100,000: 426.5

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 5 November 2021.

UK NEWS UPDATES:

Mothercare returns to profit
Mothercare has swung to a pre-tax profit in the first half of the financial year after it implemented measures to improve profitability amid a return to pre-pandemic levels of business. The retailer posted a pre-tax profit of £3.6 million in the six months to 25 September compared to a loss of £13.2 million in the prior year. Adjusted EBITDA came in at £5.6 million compared to a loss of £0.1 million a year earlier. Meanwhile, Mothercare said its turnover declined to £41,7 million from a previous £44.4 million after Covid-19 had a significant impact on its business throughout the world.
At the half year end, it still had just over 10 per cent of partners’ global stores closed.

Pret A Manger sales return to pre-pandemic levels
Pret A Manger has reported that sales have risen above pre-pandemic levels for the first time since Covid-19 struck. The coffee chain said UK sales were higher last week than in January 2020. This included London’s financial districts, airports and West End shopping districts, as well as regional towns, northern counties and Scotland, and marked the first time that sales have returned to pre-Covid levels.

Warning of wine and spirits shortage as supply chain in chaos
Britain could face shortage of wine and spirits at Christmas, a drinks trade body has warned. In a letter to Transport Secretary Grant Shapps, the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) said rising costs and supply chain chaos have held up deliveries. Imports were now taking up to five times longer than a year ago, it said.

The government said: “We do not expect disruption to the supply of alcohol this Christmas”. The letter was co-signed by 49 firms, including Pernod Ricard, Moët Hennessy and the Wine Society. It said the sector has been badly affected by the HGV driver shortage crisis, which the industry has blamed on factors including Covid and Brexit.

National Highways help delivery firms over Black Friday and Cyber Monday
National Highways is going the extra mile to help delivery firms this Black Friday and Cyber Monday by lifting and completing 394 miles of roadworks.
Almost 98 per cent of England’s major A-roads and motorway network will be free from roadworks between 8pm on Sunday 28 November through to 6am on Friday 3 December. With many orders being processed after Black Friday, the removal of roadworks on major routes coincides with expected delivery dates to customers. National Highways is also encouraging motorists heading out on the roads in search of a bargain to think about checking their vehicle before setting off.

Resources for raising awareness about COVID Pass fraud
Resources for raising awareness about COVID Pass fraud and how to get your free NHS COVID Pass.

REGIONAL & LOCAL NEWS:

Works on track for £53m Poynton Relief Road
The 3 km route will relieve Poynton and neighbouring communities of high traffic volumes and congestion, while improving air quality for residents.

Town Council launches survey to find out what residents think makes Macclesfield distinctive
Responses will be used to prepare a Character Area Assessment to help inform the impact of future developments in Macclesfield.

Cheshire East launches ‘Say hi to the High Street’ Christmas shopping campaign
As the build-up to the festive season begins, advertisements and social media posts will encourage residents to shop local in the 11 towns across the borough.

Northern Venture Capital Investment reaches over £990m
Businesses in the North attracted £992m in venture capital investment in Q3 of 2021, according to KPMG’s latest Venture Pulse Survey.
The figure was raised across 55 deals in the region, with the largest type of financing deal in the North being later stage VC, accounting for 40 per cent of the deals.

There’s still time to enter first ever Marketing WAM Business Awards
Businesses can enter themselves, or nominate a business or colleague deserving of recognition for their efforts over the last 18 months. Entries close 31st December.

SECTOR SPECIFIC CORONAVIRUS-RELATED NEWS:

COMMUNITY:

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.

CONSTRUCTION:

Northern contractors reeling from rail infrastructure cancellation
Contractors across the north of England have raised fears over an “economic black hole” for the local industry following government cancellation of rail plans across the region. Stuart Miller Regional Director of CECA said: “One key section of Northern Powerhouse Rail alone could deliver a £22bn boost to the northern economy by 2060 according to a report from engineering consultancy Mott Macdonald.

“Major infrastructure projects of this nature are the lifeblood of many and we’re disappointed that, once again, prosperity in the North has been overlooked.
Smaller contractors are also urging government to make sure they get a fair crack at winning contracts.

PROPERTY:

New build sales fail to live up to frenzy seen elsewhere in the market
Data released by Zoopla suggests that demand for new builds outside London remains above the five year average but has failed to match the frenzy of the wider house sales market in the past year. The North-West, Yorkshire and the North-East have seen strong new home buyer demand at more than 30 per cent above the five-year average; in London, new homes buyer demand remains around 25 per cent below.

RETAIL:

Lidl to ramp up UK store openings with 1,100 stores by 2025
German discounter Lidl has announced plans to increase the number of its UK stores to 1,100 by 2025, up from 880 now. The move will create 4,000 new jobs, the supermarket chain said. Its latest UK accounts published on Wednesday morning showed revenues climbed 12% to £7.7bn in the 12 months to the end of February.

That helped it post a pre-tax profit of £9.8m, compared with a £25m pre-tax loss in the previous year. It said that despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, it opened 55 new UK stores in the year which left it on track to reach its previously stated aim of having 1,000 stores by the end of 2023.

TRAVEL:

Immigration and border statistics relating to COVID-19
This page brings together documents relating to published statistics on the immigration system and passenger arrivals since the COVID-19 outbreak – Added ‘Statistics relating to passenger arrivals since the COVID-19 outbreak, November 2021’.

Statistics relating to passenger arrivals since the COVID-19 outbreak, November 2021
A statistical report showing the impact of COVID-19 on the immigration system, up to October 2021.

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