
UK DATA:
Total UK Cases: 4,499,878 positive tests
Latest UK daily figure: 5,274 new cases
Number in UK hospital: 919 (110 new admissions)
New deaths across UK: 18
Total UK deaths: 127,812
England Cases per 100,000: 32.4 per 100,000
R number in UK: 1.0 to 1.1
Vaccine data:
Total 1st doses given: 39,758,428 up to and including 2 June 2021
Total 2nd doses given: 26,422,303
Latest Cheshire East data:
Total Cheshire East cases: 21,477
New cases in past 7 days: 194 to 29 May
Total deaths: 800
Cases per 100,000: 50.5 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 & HEADLINES:
Four UK nations to attend Covid recovery summit
Ministers from the four devolved administrations will take part in a Boris Johnson-chaired virtual meeting on how to emerge from the Covid pandemic.
UK ministers and the first ministers from Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales will be among those taking part. Downing Street said it was an opportunity to share information and ideas on the way ahead. The four-nation summit had been due last week but was postponed.
Pandemic sales boost revenues at B&M
Sales have boomed at discount retailer B&M Bargains as it continued to feed and water the nation during multiple lockdowns. Group revenues for the year to 27 March jumped nearly 26 per cent to £4.8bn, up from £3.8bn in the previous year. Adjusted EBITDA increased by 83 per cent to £626.4m, up from £342.3m, driven by the strong performance of the core B&M UK business. Group statutory pre-tax profits stood at £525.4m, climbing from £252m in the previous year, representing an increase of 108.5 per cent. During the year, B&M opened 43 new stores, taking total stores to 1,091. The new openings weighted towards H2 following initial delays caused by Covid-19 at the start of FY21, offset by 18 closures.
Tokyo 2020: Olympics 100% going ahead
Tokyo 2020 President Seiko Hashimoto is “100%” certain the Olympics will go ahead but warned the Games “must be prepared” to proceed without spectators in the event of a coronavirus outbreak. There are 50 days until the delayed Tokyo Games begin on 23 July. Japan is battling a surge in coronavirus cases, with large parts of the country under a state of emergency.
Three quarters of UK adults vaccinated with first dose
Milestone reached as Health and Social Care Secretary gives a speech marking almost 6 months since unprecedented vaccination programme began.
How we got here: lessons from the UK vaccine rollout
Speech by Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Matt Hancock at the Jenner Institute Laboratories, University of Oxford
New international approach to combat emerging health threats as crucial G7 health talks begin
G7 health ministers pledge to combat future health threats by working together to identify early warning signs from animals and the environment.
Less than 30 days to apply for EU Settlement scheme
From today, there are only 30 days to go until the deadline of 30 June 2021for applications to be made to the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS). All EU, EEA and Swiss citizens and their family members who were resident in the UK by 31 December 2020, should apply without delay so that they can continue to work, study, and access free healthcare and benefits in the UK after 30 June 2021.
LOCAL / REGIONAL NEWS & UPDATES:
Cheshire East’s sports pitches get £200k boost
Funding will pay for a fleet of maintenance machinery to improve playing surfaces’ resilience and drainage as well as a robotic line marker
Manchester Airport boss warns Portugal green list changes put jobs at risk
Manchester Airports Group CEO, Charlie Cornish said: “The Government doesn’t trust its own system and international travel is being unfairly scapegoated, with tens of thousands of jobs placed at risk.”
BUSINESS:
Trade Union calling for ban on employer contact out of office hours
And, with many of its members warning that their mental health is being compromised, the trade union Prospect is calling for the government to give employees a legally binding “right to disconnect”.
This would ban bosses from “routinely emailing or calling” outside set working hours.
Any emails sent at these times could also be automatically deleted to deter off-duty staff from continually checking their inbox.
“Work has got more stressful over the last year,” says Claire Mullaly, an IT consultant. “There’s a pressure to check emails, jump on video calls and to be on hand at all hours of the day, and it’s become harder to draw a line between work and home life.” Claire argues the situation facing her and millions of others working from home during the pandemic “isn’t sustainable”.
Coronavirus grant funding: local authority payments to small and medium businesses
Local authorities have received and distributed funding to support small and medium businesses in England during coronavirus – added the latest estimates by local authorities for payments made under these grant programmes up to and including 25 April 2021: Additional Restrictions Grant, Local Restrictions Support Grant / Christmas Support Payment for pubs, Restart Grant.
HMRC coronavirus (COVID-19) statistics
HMRC data about the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme, the Eat Out to Help Out scheme, and the VAT payments deferral scheme – added links to 2 Official Statistics publications ‘Self-Employment Income Support Scheme statistics: June 2021’ and ‘Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme statistics: 3 June 2021’
Self-Employment Income Support Scheme statistics: June 2021
The number of individuals claiming the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme grant up to 9 May 2021 by age, gender, industry sector and geography.
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme statistics: 3 June 2021
Time series and statistics as at 30 April 2021 on the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, with analysis by scheme size, sector, geography, age, gender and flexible furlough.
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.
EDUCATION:
Coronavirus (COVID-19) testing in schools and colleges: grant funding
Conditions of grant funding for the national roll-out of rapid mass testing for coronavirus (COVID-19) in schools and colleges – updated with information on payments for testing conducted in summer term 2021.
HEALTH & WELLBEING:
Weekly statistics for NHS Test and Trace (England): 20 May to 26 May 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.
Surge testing to be deployed in High Peak area of Derbyshire
Surge testing being deployed in Derbyshire following the identification of a small number of confirmed cases of the variant first identified in India, B1.617.2
LOCAL AUTHORITY:
Coronavirus cases by local authority: epidemiological data
Weekly watchlist giving epidemiological coronavirus (COVID-19) data for each lower-tier local authority in England – added latest report (2 June 2021).
PROPERTY:
50% UK firms set to move office as flexible working outlasts pandemic
Almost half of mid-to-large size UK companies plan to move offices within the next three years as the shift to flexible working outlasts the pandemic, a new survey suggests. The findings were described as a “watershed” moment for the future of office working and come as London’s army of property agents predict a busier than usual summer hunting new HQs for hundreds of businesses. Of nearly 500 senior executives at firms with at least 20,000 sq ft of leased space, 89% said they will be in a position to move out in the next 36 months due to lease expiries or break clauses.
Q1: Green light for record number of new build-to-rent homes
Research published by the British Property Federation (BPF) shows that 6,937 new build-to-rent homes – high-quality and professionally-managed homes built for renters – gained full planning permission in the first three months of 2021. This is the highest number of planning consents recorded for any quarter in the sector’s history. With 6,321 consents, the third quarter of 2016 follows in second place. To aid transparency on the sector and its growth, the research has been produced by Savills, commissioned by the BPF, and draws on Glenigan’s planning database and Molior in London. It is published quarterly as an interactive map on the BPF’s website.
RETAIL:
Geek Retreat on track to create hundreds of UK jobs with new stores
A ‘geek culture’ retailer and gaming cafe is on the way to creating hundreds of jobs with the expansion of its UK store network. Geek Retreat is on track to open 60 of its planned 100 new stores on high streets around the country by the end of 2021. The brand, which has stores in town and city centres such as Glasgow, Newcastle, Leeds, the Wirral, Northampton, Chelmsford and London, specialises in ‘geek culture’ merchandise like comics, posters, clothing, figures and memorabilia as well as games and trading cards.
TRAVEL:
Coronavirus (COVID-19): safer travel guidance for passengers
Walking, cycling, and travelling in vehicles or on public transport during the coronavirus outbreak.
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 (no earlier than 21 June):
- 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
Media and Marketing:
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.