8th September – Coronavirus News Updates

UK STATISTICS

Total UK Cases: 7,056,106 positive tests
Latest UK daily figure: 37,489 new cases
Number in UK hospital: 7,976 , 370 more than on previous day
New deaths across UK: 209
Total UK deaths: 133,483
England Cases per 100,000: 317
R number in UK: 0.9 to 1.1

Vaccine data:

Total 1^st doses given: 48,292,811 – 88.8% of UK aged 16+
Total 2^nd doses: 43,535,098 – 80.1%
Daily 1^st doses: 22,698
Daily 2nd doses: 80,015

Latest Cheshire East data:

Total Cheshire East cases: 35,581
New cases in past 7 days: 1,371 to 2 Sep
Total deaths: 827
Cases per 100,000: 354.6 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

Government deny October lockdown
The government has denied planning an October lockdown in England, after a newspaper report said the opposite. The i newspaper said plans had been drawn up to extend the school half-term holiday, if the number of hospitalisations continue at the current level. The i said a full lockdown was unlikely – but the government could introduce some rules as part of a “firebreak”. However the Department for Education said the report was “not true”.

Additional £5.4 billion for NHS COVID-19 response over next six months
Includes £1 billion to help tackle COVID-19 backlogs, delivering routine surgery and treatments for patients

Letter from UK health ministers to UK CMOs on COVID-19 vaccination of 12 to 15 year olds
Letter from the health ministers of the 4 UK nations asking the UK’s chief medical officers to advise on the vaccination of young people aged 12 to 15.

Government to reveal plans in overhaul of social care sector
Boris Johnson is set to announce reforms to social care alongside long-term funding arrangements to help the NHS respond to the Covid pandemic. And to cover the costs, the prime minister is expected to raise National Insurance (NI) by about 1.25% – breaking an election promise in the process. The government will not “duck the tough decisions needed” to help the NHS and fix England’s “broken” social care system, Mr Johnson will tell MPs. No 10 says costs of social care – helping older and disabled people with tasks such as washing, dressing and eating – can spiral under the current system, with one in seven people paying more than £100,000.

Low-carbon energy boost for England as government launches £270m green heat fund
The government has today announced a new £270m fund to boost low-carbon heat network projects across England. The Green Heat Network Fund, which will focus on heating for homes and businesses, will only support low-carbon technologies like heat pumps, solar and geothermal energy. The fund aims to enable more towns and cities to implement low-carbon heating systems from 2022 onwards, driving the government’s ambition to phase out the use of fossil fuel boilers. Heat networks, which draw energy from a central source, could use recovered urban heat – such as the heat from the London Underground – without producing more by-products and emissions. Heat in buildings currently accounts for around 21 per cent of the UK’s carbon emissions.

JCB heir launches £1bn hydrogen investment fund to support UK’s green revolution Entrepreneur and heir to the JCB fortune Jo Bamford has announced a new billion pound fund to support the UK’s net zero targets. Jo has joined forces with multi-family office Vedra Partners to launch HYCAP, a hydrogen investment fund which has set its sights on raising £1bn. The capital, which already stands at more than £200m after the first round of investment, will be injected largely into UK businesses, with the focus on speeding-up green hydrogen production and supply, creating jobs and contributing to the Government’s Net Zero targets. Jo commented: “With the Government’s relentless pursuit of Net Zero targets and the publication of the damning IPCC report, it is our belief that hydrogen holds the key to reducing emissions – and there is a growing sense of urgency to act now.”

REGIONAL & LOCAL NEWS:

External building work close to completion at The Christie at Macclesfield
The Christie at Macclesfield will transform cancer care in Cheshire, and parts of Derbyshire and Staffordshire, providing care closer to home for more than 1,500 patients.

Cumbrian housebuilder to deliver 60 new homes on Royal London site
Carlisle-based Story Homes have acquired the Westlands plot of Royal London’s Wilmslow campus ahead of the firm’s move to Alderley Park. Outline planning consent had been previously granted for 60 homes prior to sale.

easyJet adds Jordan route from Manchester Airport
Flights will operate up to twice a week on Mondays and Fridays throughout the winter, connecting the North West with Aqaba, on the country’s Red Sea coast and near the ancient city of Petra.

GM signs cooperation agreement with Germany’s Metropole Ruhr Region
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has signed a new cooperation agreement with Germany’s most populous metropolitan region following a visit by city-region leaders to the nation this week. In a trip on 2-3 September, a delegation from Greater Manchester including Mayor Andy Burnham and Stockport Council Leader Cllr Elise Wilson agreed a partnership with the Metropole Ruhr region of North-Rhine Westphalia to strengthen economic and cultural ties between the two city-region’s. The visit took place as part of the 75th anniversary of the founding of the German state of North-Rhine Westphalia, which was established by the British in the aftermath of World War Two.

AGRICULTURE:

UK food and drink sales down by £2 billion

Sales of UK food and drink to non-EU countries were up 13%, accounting for 46.6% (£4.3 billion) of all UK food and drink exports in the first half of 2021.

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.

BUSINESS:

Claim for wages through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
Claim for some of your employee’s wages if you have put them on furlough or flexible furlough because of coronavirus (COVID-19) – info updated in section ‘When the government ends the scheme’.

How to assess the use and risks of telephone surveys for monitoring, evaluation and research during COVID-19
Guidance for organisations to assess the appropriateness and risks of conducting telephone surveys during the COVID-19 pandemic, as part of research, monitoring and evaluation activity.

Contactless card limit to rise to £100 in October
The spending limit on each use of a contactless card is to rise from £45 to £100 from 15 October, banks have revealed. The maximum amount was increased from £30 to its current level at the start of the pandemic and plans to raise it further were announced in the Budget. Nearly two-thirds of all debit card transactions are made via the tap-and-go technology. But academics have warned that raising the limit could increase crime. Contactless payments dominated as lockdowns eased

COMMUNITY:

Test and Trace Support Payment scheme privacy notice
Information on how and why personal data may be used in the Test and Trace Support Payment scheme – updated to reflect the change to isolation criteria that came into effect on 16 August, the additional requirement to collect and process data relating to vaccination status and the removal of DWP from list of data processors.

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.

COVID-19: infection prevention and control (IPC)
Guidance on infection prevention and control for COVID-19. Sustained community transmission is occurring across the UK.

Care home diary reveals lockdown isolation
“I now have to get used to being alone all day, no-one to talk to.”

Those are the words of 94-year-old Bob Skinner, who has kept a diary of life at a care home during the pandemic. The diary – which has been turned into a book – tells of the isolation felt by a “forgotten army” as they were forced to shield from the world, with visits banned. Mr Skinner also revealed how he needed hospital treatment after catching Covid – but lived to tell the tale. “I was unlucky – I thought it was coming because I had a cold, I really felt very ill,” he said. “I was in hospital for three weeks, I didn’t think I was coming back, but I made it back.”

CONSTRUCTION:

Glenigan reports North-West costruction awards up by 26% on previous 3 months
Glenigan’s regional league table of underlying main contract awards (under £100 million) identifies the top performing regions to focus on for new construction work.

Data of all main contracts awarded in the three months to the end of July identifies that Wales achieved the top spot with an increase of 196% compared to last year and 75% ahead of the previous three months. Read the full report

Threat of strike by cement drivers add to materials woes
The 200 plus lorry drivers and engineers, who are members of Unite, have rejected a pay offer of 2.5% for this year. Unite added that “the workforce is deeply unhappy about the high-handed management style and a marked lack of dignity at work.” Drivers deliver dry cement to major sites and merchants across the country.
The ballot will open on Friday 10 September and close on Friday 23 September. If members vote for strike action industrial action could begin this October.

Huge jump in Barratt profits thanks to red hot homes market and post-Covid bounce-back
Barratt Developments said huge growth in the market and growing margins contributed to a 66 per cent jump in profits.

Labour shortages could last for next two years
CBI Director-General Tony Danker called on government to to get a grip on the situation as shortages hit construction and all other industries.

Surge in demand sees JCB “sold out until next year”
JCB said most of its products are now sold out until next year as demand hits historic highs. The machinery giant is recruiting another 100 new welders for its Staffordshire factories in a bid to keep up with orders. So far this year JCB has recruited 1,350 new shop floor employees and handed permanent contracts to 1,000 agency employees. The firm said “demand for JCB machines has reached historic highs with most products now sold out until next year”.

“Strong growth” for Eurocell as revenues beat pre-pandemic figures
A UK plastics manufacturer has announced that its revenues over the past six months have been nearly 25 per cent higher than pre-pandemic levels.
Eurocell, which manufactures and provides UPVC products such as windows and doors, reported revenues of £168.1m in the first half of the year, rising by 86 per cent on the first half of 2020 and 23 per cent above 2019. Its profits have also grown, with first half results of £14.2m, 37 per cent higher than 2019’s £10.4m. The company said that the results were driven by its commercial strategies, as well as heightened levels of demand.

EDUCATION:

Remote education webinars

How to access school-led webinars on remote education to help share good practice.

How are pupils being kept Covid-safe?
Pupils are returning to school across the UK – with new measures in place to prevent large numbers being sent home because of Covid.

Schools aren’t infection hubs, says public health boss

Dr Yvonne Doyle said she understood parents’ nervousness about schools returning after the summer in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

EVENTS:

Live Events Reinsurance Scheme
The headline scheme rules have been published by DCMS.

HEALTH & WELLBEING:

Confirmed cases of COVID-19 variants identified in UK
Latest updates on SARS-CoV-2 variants detected in UK.

COVID-19 vaccination: blood clotting information for healthcare professionals
Information for healthcare professionals on blood clotting following COVID-19 vaccination.

COVID-19: migrant health guide
Advice and guidance for healthcare practitioners on the health needs of migrant patients – added guidance about charging for hospital treatment of any secondary or subsequent illness, including long COVID.

COVID-19 vaccine surveillance report published
National coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine surveillance report, including estimated number of hospitalisations and deaths prevented.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Infection Survey, UK: 3 September 2021
Estimates for England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland. This survey is being delivered in partnership with University of Oxford, University of Manchester, Public Health England, and Wellcome Trust.

LOCAL AUTHORITY:

Local government income compensation scheme for lost sales, fees and charges
Guidance for local authorities on how to access the local government income compensation scheme for lost sales, fees and charges as a result of COVID-19.

LOGISTICS

Government ‘floating’ idea of allowing more EU HGV drivers to work here again, in bid to tackle mass shortages
The Government is apparently considering making it easier for EU lorry drivers to work in the UK again, in a bid to tackle the HGV driver crisis.

MOTORS:

August slump in sales of new cars
UK new car registrations fell by more than 20 per cent during August, according to new figures. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said that 68,033 units were registered during the eighth month of the year, down 22 per cent on August 2020. The monthly performance was the weakest since August 2013, and down 7.6 per cent against the average recorded over the last decade. However, demand for the latest battery electric (BEV), hybrid (HEV) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) vehicles surged by 32.2 per cent, 45.7 per cent and 72.1 per cent respectively.
Read more at Insider

PROPERTY:

Bumper end of year likely dispite summer sales dip
Newly instructed properties across the country dropped by 10 per cent in August compared to July’s numbers, according to Homesearch. The company, which focuses its services on helping agents target specific homes to win instructions, says new sales instructions were down eight per cent month on month, while new lettings instructions were down a higher 14 per cent.

Pets allowed in rental development as momentum grows for reform
A new idea put forward by a student-focussed Build To Rent operator is likely to increase the momentum behind campaigners wanting pets to be allowed in private rental properties. The specialist student accommodation provider is to allow pets into one of its schemes – apparently to improve the mental health and well-being amongst residents. The purpose-built student accommodation scheme called Future Generation – built in Guildford, by Southern Grove – has 533 units is to allow pets to new residents who move in as the academic term begins in the next few weeks.

Council launches own lettings agency to help people with low incomes into homes
A council has launched it own publicly funded lettings agency and wants private landlords to sign up. The ‘Your Choice’ lettings agency, run by South Ayrshire council, claims to be different from conventional agencies. “Our focus is to help those on low incomes or people who have experienced homelessness. This fits in with our wider programme to reduce and alleviate homelessness where possible, as part of our Rapid Rehousing Transition Plan. It’s not easy for everyone to find a quality home, your income and background often determine the kind of housing you end up with” says a statement from the agency.

RETAIL:

Insider: Reduction in retail stores slows across the North
There has been a reduction in the number stores across the north in the first six months of 2021, but the decline has slowed, according to new research. In total, 865 shops opened in the region, compared to 2046 closures, PwC research compiled by the Local Data Company (LDC) has shown. However, the number of closures has fallen by 27 per cent from 2,823 in 2020, the data has revealed. The figures covered the North West, Yorkshire & Humber and North East.

Manchester Arndale welcomes new quality brands
Manchester Arndale has revealed the signing of Kurt Geiger, Carvela and a new flagship Sky shop. Combined, the trio of tenants will occupy 8,133 sq ft in the centre. Kurt Geiger, which has been designing for more than 50 years creating handbag and shoe styles for men and women, will be opening a 2,195 sq ft store. Carvela will occupy a 2,447 sq ft unit. It is a sister brand of Kurt Geiger and has a range of styles and accessories, including trainers, heels and ankle boots along with bags, phone cases and sunglasses. Sky will also be opening its biggest ever shop, bringing together its mobile, broadband and TV products under one roof, with advisers and bespoke areas.

2,000 shops shut their doors across the North in first half of the year
In the North West 982 shops closed compared to 421 openings and in Yorkshire & Humber there was a total of 738 store closures with 304 new openings in the region.

Boots to open 30 new beauty halls as it invests in local high streets
Boots is set to launch 30 new beauty halls across the country as it continues to expand and enhance its beauty offering. The launch forms part of the health and beauty retailer’s multi-format store strategy that aims to provide customers with greater access to leading beauty brands. The 30 new beauty halls are smaller versions of the reinvented beauty halls that can be found in 60 Boots flagship stores such as Covent Garden in London and The Trafford Centre in Manchester.

Has Covid affected the future of the grocery sector forever?
Over the last year, the retail sector has scurried to implement hygiene measures while boosting its online capabilities thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic. Covid-19 has brought unprecedented demand for supermarket chains, particularly creating a transformational effect in how Brits buy and consume food. Grocers have dealt with stockpiling from panic buyers since the beginning of the pandemic – this was witnessed over a three-day period in mid-March last year. As a result of the pandemic, grocers have seen consumers eat more at home due to changing food habits. If any sector has experienced a form of success during the pandemic, it has undoubtedly been the grocery sector. Supermarkets have had to adapt and change more in the last year than at any other time in the last decade. Read the full article at Retail Gazette

TRANSPORT:

Food price rise fear over shortage of HGV drivers
The national shortage of lorry drivers could lead to a rise in food prices, wholesalers have warned. Darren Labbett, managing director of Woods Foodservice, told the BBC that his industry was facing a “perfect storm” of adverse effects. “We’ve got the Brexit situation and the after-effects of the pandemic coming together at the same time,” he added. Mr Labbett said the cost of vegetable oil was at a 30-year high because of higher shipping costs and demand. “As we came out of lockdown, the demand for everything went through the roof overnight,” he said.

Mr Labbett added that wholesalers were “trying our utmost” to absorb the extra costs instead of passing them on, “but we can’t absorb those price increases forever”.

TRAVEL:

Governemnt report shows extent of amber list rule breaking
Nearly a quarter of UK arrivals from amber list countries broke quarantine rules, government figures show. The Office for National Statistics found 23% either did not quarantine at home for 10 days or failed to complete PCR tests on days two and eight. One in six admitted contacting other people during quarantine, with 62% of these leaving their homes to meet people and 45% having visitors. The Daily Telegraph said four in 10 were unsure about quarantine rules and 15% mistakenly thought they were permitted to go shopping. The ONS survey was based on more than 800 unvaccinated adults arriving in the UK in July from amber destinations.

International bus or coach services and tours: vehicle documents
Check which vehicle documents you need to carry if you drive a bus or coach across international borders – from 28 September 2021, you’ll need a UK sticker instead of a GB sticker on your vehicle to drive abroad.

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