UK STATISTICS
Total UK Cases: 5,923,820 positive tests
Latest UK daily figure: 21,691 new cases
Number in UK hospital: 6,099, 201 more than on previous day
New deaths across UK: 138
Total UK deaths: 129,881
England Cases per 100,000: 261
R number in UK: 1.1 to 1.4
Vaccine data:
Total 1st doses given: 48,898,525 (88% of UK adults)
Total 2nd doses: 38,590,332 (73% of UK adults)
Daily 1st doses: 26,114
Daily 2nd doses: 126,307
Latest Cheshire East data:
Total Cheshire East cases: 29,845
New cases in past 7 days: 1,009 to 29 July
Total deaths: 814
Cases per 100,000: 262.7 per 100,000
R number in North West: 1.0 to 1.2
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
BBC: UK experts to recommend 16 and 17-year-olds offered a Covid vaccine
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation stopped short of making the move last month, saying it was still assessing the benefits and risks.
About 1.4 million teenagers will be included in the new rollout but it is not known when the jabs will start. They are only offered now to those over-12s who have underlying conditions or live with others at high risk. But some countries, including the US, Canada and France, are routinely vaccinating people aged 12 years old and over. Whitehall sources say ministers in England are expected to accept the advice of the JCVI, following an announcement today, Wednesday.
£7m fund launches to support flexible apprenticeships
Businesses in the creative, agricultural and construction industries are among those now eligible to benefit from a £7 million fund to create new flexible apprenticeship opportunities. The fund will establish agencies to set up more flexible apprenticeships in areas where roles are typically short-term and therefore unsuitable for traditional 12 month apprenticeship programs. The new scheme will allow an apprentice to complete their training across a range of projects and multiple employers, enabling sectors such as digital, social care, transport and manufacturing to offer high-quality training to those at the beginning of their careers.
Covid cases and hospital admissions down after lockdown lift
Two weeks on from the 19 July unlocking – both infections and now hospital admissions are falling. A similar pattern is emerging elsewhere in the UK where restrictions have also been eased – albeit not quite as much as in England. Has the gamble paid off? The scientists predicted if there was a gradual return to normal, hospital admissions would not go above 1,000 – exactly what seems to have happened. “If it was a gamble, it was a calculated one,” says one of the modellers. “This is not some unexpected accident.”
UK hits 85m jab milestone
More than 68% of 18 to 29-year-olds in England have had a first jab, while 88.6% of all UK adults have had one. In total, over 85 million doses have now been administered across the UK. More than 72.5% of UK adults have received two doses so far. Health Secretary Sajid Javid described delivering 85 million doses as a “phenomenal achievement”, while vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi urged people to get both jabs “so we can carry on doing the things we’ve missed”.
REACT study shows fully vaccinated are three times less likely to be infected
The latest REACT-1 study findings from Imperial College London and Ipsos MORI show COVID-19 infection rates are three times lower for double vaccinated people.
It comes after Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he wanted a “simple” and “balanced approach” to pandemic travel. Government sources said no new categories would now be added. Tory MPs and travel industry figures earlier warned a complex system risked putting people off from travelling.
The government had been considering the idea of a new level in the government’s traffic light system for overseas travel, ahead of the next review this week.
It would have warned people when a destination was at risk of a sudden shift from amber to red – meaning that travel would be banned for everyone except UK nationals and residents, who would be required to quarantine in a hotel on their return.
NHS Covid-19 app in England and Wales tweaked to notify fewer contacts
The app will look for contacts two days prior, rather than five, when someone without symptoms tests positive. Health Secretary Sajid Javid said it would reduce disruption but still protect those at risk. The government is urging the public to continue using the app. What’s changing on the NHS Covid app? Almost 700,000 alerts were sent by the app to users in England and Wales for the week to July 21, a record since it was launched, which has caused staffing issues in many industries.
NHS vaccine passport App “working well”
Almost 300 “fraudulent applications” for Covid-19 vaccine certificates have been rejected, the head of the programme has said. The certificate allows travellers to prove they are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 for countries which require that for entry. The system was offline for several days having been dogged by technical problems but resumed on Saturday night. Dr Eddie O’Neill said it was now “stable and running well”. He added: “We’ve rejected 294 applications where people have fraudulently tried to claim a certificate, we had three individuals who made 38 applications between them, putting in different vaccination dates every time.”
REGIONAL & LOCAL NEWS:
Northern regions lead nation in post-pandemic business confidence
Businesses in the North East and North West regions of the UK are most confident about the state of the economy according Lloyds Bank’s Business Barometer survey.
£650,000 investment secured for Macclesfield cycling improvements
Improvements along the National Cycle Network’s route 55 will include a road crossing on Middlewood Way and widening of a shared-use path through a reallocation of road space.
Coronavirus rates fall in six of Greater Manchester Boroughs
The infection rate, the number of seven-day total cases per 100,000 people, is continuing to fall in all ten boroughs. The rates have now dipped below 300 in two new areas – Trafford and Stockport where infection rates are 291.7, just below the England rate at 291.9
SECTOR SPECIFIC CORONAVIRUS-RELATED NEWS:
BUSINESS:
Chancellor Rishi Sunak has urged small and medium-sized business owners to sign up to the government’s Help to Grow scheme and gain access to free training.
The scheme was announced in this year’s Budget to help provide small businesses with the necessary skills to innovate, grow and support the economic recovery following the coronavirus pandemic. Help to Grow opened to applications in May this year and will offer 30,000 SMEs across the UK with access to business expertise on topics from financial management to marketing.
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 to reflect the introduction of daily contact testing for workplaces.
How is furlough changing and when will it end?
Employers will need to contribute more to the cost of keeping their staff furloughed from 1 August. The scheme, which has protected millions of jobs, is due to close at the end of September. The government initially paid 80% of the wages of people who couldn’t work, or whose employers could no longer afford to pay them – up to a monthly limit of £2,500. In July 2021 employers were required to pay 10% of salaries – with the government’s contribution falling to 70%. In August and September, the government’s contribution will reduce further: it will pay 60% and employers will pay 20% The monthly limit of £2,500 will stay in place, so workers will not notice the difference. But by making furlough more expensive for employers, the government hopes to encourage them to take workers back full-time if they can. Employers already have to pay pension and National Insurance contributions.
Coming to the UK for seasonal agricultural work on English farms
Advice for seasonal agricultural workers coming to England to pick fruit and vegetables on farms, and their employers – updated guidance on preventing the spread of COVID-19 for seasonal agricultural workers and employers.
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 – updated the general list of providers.
Short-term options for health, welfare and financial decisions
Find out about the ways people can make certain decisions for you or do certain things on your behalf
COVID-19 Response: Summer 2021
The government has published the ‘Moving to Step 4 of the roadmap’ document. This sets out the essential actions that everybody should take to protect themselves and others while prevalence is high, as we transition towards learning to live with COVID-19. The ‘COVID-19 Response: Summer 2021’ sets out the shape of step 4 of the roadmap.
COVID-19: guidance for households with possible coronavirus infection
Stay at home guidance for households with possible coronavirus (COVID-19) infection.
DVLA Coronavirus (COVID-19) update
Find out the date of applications we are processing and how to access our online services.
DIGITAL:
Businesses across rural England set for connectivity boost with £5bn broadband upgrade
Over two million homes and businesses across England are set to gain access to faster broadband speeds as part of a multi-billion-pound plan. The government’s Project Gigabit fund will see £5bn spent on levelling up broadband services throughout rural areas across the country. New details published today reveal up to 1,850,000 additional premises across 26 English counties will get access to gigabit speed internet of 1,000 megabits per second – enough to download a HD movie in less than 30 seconds. In addition, today it is also being confirmed that the Scottish and Welsh governments and 15 English councils have made at least an extra £26m available in top-ups to the UK Government’s Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme.
EDUCATION:
Coronavirus (COVID-19): advice for UK visa applicants and temporary UK residents
This is advice for visa customers and applicants in the UK, visa customers outside of the UK and British nationals overseas who need to apply for a passport affected by travel restrictions associated with coronavirus – updated information for student if your 90-day student visa vignette has expired.
HEALTH & WELLBEING:
New study into COVID-19 vaccine dose interval for pregnant women
Extensive real-world data shows vaccines are safe and highly effective for pregnant women
Excess deaths in your neighbourhood during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic
Analysis and interactive chart of provisional death registration data for England and Wales, broken down by Middle-layer Super Output Area (MSOA) and compared with the average for the same months between 2015 and 2019. Includes deaths due to COVID-19 and total deaths from all causes.
PROPERTY:
Revealed – how much stamp duty holiday property sold in 2021
An estate agency has calculated precisely how much residential property has been sold so far this year, fuelled by the stamp duty holiday. Some £68.8 billion has been transacted so far in 2021, according to Keller Williams UK. The top 10 is dominated by London, with the NW3 postcode – covering fashionable and high-priced Camden and Barnet – topping the list when looking at the total value of homes sold. An estimated £262.5m worth of property has been sold in just this single postcode since January 1.
RETAIL:
Greggs to cook up 500 new jobs as sales return to pre-pandemic levels
A British bakery brand has announced today that it expects to create 500 new jobs before the end of the year. Greggs, which has more than 2,000 stores across the UK, is set to create the new roles as part of its ongoing expansion, which will see it open around 50 new shops in the second half of the year. In the first half of 2021, the company opened 48 stores, with sales returning to pre-pandemic levels. It reported sales of £546.2m during the period, up from last year’s £300.6m – and almost matching 2019’s £546.3m.
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 31st 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 24th 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 – 11th 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.
Small businesses received £21.3 billion in COVID-19 support from local authority grants 
Two year extension announced for Covid Recovery Loan scheme 
Research finds Covid-19 has not fundamentally changed the UK labour market