UK DATA:
Total UK Cases: 5,022,893 positive tests
Latest UK daily figure: 32,551 new cases
Number in UK hospital: 2,636 (456 new admissions)
New deaths across UK: 35
Total UK deaths: 128,336
England Cases per 100,000: 263.9 per 100,000
R number in UK: 1.1 to 1.3
Vaccine data:
Total 1st doses given: 45,601,445 up to and including 7 July 2021
Total 2nd doses given: 34,198,779
Latest Cheshire East data:
Total Cheshire East cases: 24,788
New cases in past 7 days: 953 to 1 July
Total deaths: 809
Cases per 100,000: 248.1 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:
Amber list quarantine for fully vaccinated to end on 19 July
Fully vaccinated UK residents arriving in England from amber travel list destinations will no longer have to quarantine from 19 July. They will, however, still need to pay for PCR tests before and after their return, the transport secretary said. Grant Shapps told MPs that under-18s returning from amber list places would also be exempt from quarantine. Currently, anyone returning from amber or red list countries must isolate for 10 days, regardless of vaccine status. “To be clear, a full vaccination means 14 days have passed since your final dose of the vaccine,” Mr Shapps said.
He added: “In essence, this means that for fully vaccinated travellers the requirements for green and amber list countries are the same.”
The React study, which tested more than 47,000 volunteers across England between 24 June and 5 July, confirms a “substantial third wave of infections”.
And the men were 30% more likely than the women to test positive for Covid.
The infections had not translated into a large number of people in hospital or dying, however, the study found.
And vaccinated men and women were much less likely than others to catch the virus.
“We have 12 unfilled jobs and no applications”
Mark Lee runs the Red Lion Country Inn, a B&B in Yorkshire, but like many employers he cannot find enough staff: “If we were to open up in full swing it would be at least 12 jobs unfilled, but it’s six unfilled at the moment.”
According to a survey of big recruitment firms, the number of permanent jobs available in England rose at its fastest rate since 1997 in June as the economy reopened. But at the same time availability of workers hit a 24-year low.
Despite advertising on a range of sites, Mr Lee has not received a single application for jobs posted. Before the pandemic, he would frequently receive 50 or more applications per advert. He has also used agencies to find staff, but when he asked for a sous chef they could only provide an employee who had never worked in a catering kitchen before.
REGIONAL & LOCAL NEWS:
Virtual work experience booms during pandemic
Education charity, Speakers for Schools, found that the number of placements available to young people rose, despite the Covid-19 pandemic, thanks to the growth in virtual work experience programmes.
Council brings transport planning and procurement back in house
The strategic, planning, commissioning and procurement functions of Transport Service Solutions are to be brought back in-house and delivered directly by Cheshire East Council following a review of its wholly-owned companies.
Businesses across the North-West received almost £7.6bn in funding under the government’s two largest Covid-19 loan initiatives, according to new data.
The Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) and the Bounce Back Loan Scheme (BBLS) provided financial support for the entire country before closing for applicants at the end of March 2021. Outside London and the South-East, the North-West reported the largest usage of both. Nearly 164,000 loans worth more than £4.8bn have been provided across the region under the BBLS, while more than 10,600 loans worth about £2.7bn were provided under the CBILS. Dr Sophie Dale-Black, UK network director for the North of England at the British Business Bank, said: “The Covid-19 loan schemes have been an important part of the government’s response to the pandemic, providing businesses with much-needed breathing space and reducing cash-flow concerns for many. “We’re pleased to see evidence that they have helped smaller businesses right across the North-West and look forward to helping more businesses to prosper and grow as we look towards economic recovery.”
MAG eyes recovery after pandemic year
The impact of the pandemic on Manchester Airports Group’s (MAG’s) financial performance has been laid bare, with revenues plummeting during what chairman Sir Adrian Montague called the “toughest year in the history of aviation”. However, chief executive Charlie Cornish believes the business is “particularly well-placed to recover quickly when conditions allow”. For the year to 31 March 2021, Manchester Airports Holdings – which is behind East Midlands Airport, Manchester Airport and London Stansted – reported income of £178.6m compared to £893.4m the prior period.
ARMED FORCES:
Number of COVID-19 tests in defence and positive cases in the UK Armed Forces 2021
Summary statistics on the number of defence personnel who have had a COVID-19 test; and for the UK Armed Forces, the number of positive cases of COVID-19.
BUSINESS:
HM Treasury coronavirus (COVID-19) business loan scheme statistics
HMT management information about the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS), Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CLBILS), Bounce Back Loan Scheme (BBLS) and Future Fund Scheme – Future Fund 30 June stats added
CARE:
Adult social care in England statistics: methodology
How the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) puts together the data in its monthly reports – updated to include the background quality for the statistics.
Adult social care extension to Infection Control and Testing Fund 2021
Sets out the measures that the extension to the Infection Control and Testing Fund supports, including distribution of funds, conditions and reporting requirements. We’ve extended the fund until 30 September 2021.
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:
Covid-19 pandemic leads to boom in virtual work experience
Young people across the UK have continued to gain access to workplace and careers-related learning through a boom in virtual work experience opportunities throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. Young people have been disproportionately affected by the Covid-19 restrictions, suffering major disruption to their education and reduced opportunities for in-person extra-curricular activities. However, since the pandemic, Virtual Work Experience (VWEX) has become a lifeline to those looking for involvement in the professional world while adhering to all guidelines and staying safe. According to figures from Speakers for Schools, an education charity run by ITV political journalist, Robert Peston, the number of work experience placements rose by 5,890 in the year April 2020 to March 2021 despite the pandemic. Of the new placements created, 71% were virtual work experience.What parents and carers need to know about early years providers, schools and colleges during COVID-19
Information for parents and carers about attending schools, nurseries and colleges in 2021 – new guidance including updates on testing, face coverings, contact tracing, isolating and bubbles, which come into force from Step 4 of the Roadmap. The current guidance (dated May 2021) remains in place until Step 4.
HEALTH & WELLBEING:
Weekly statistics for NHS Test and Trace (England)
Experimental statistics from the NHS Test and Trace service and related documents.
PROPERTY:
House prices continue to rise as supply shrinks
A lack of available properties is helping to push up house prices, surveyors say.
As a result, a majority of Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) members think prices will continue to rise over the next year. The shrinking supply meant the number of new properties coming to the market fell by a third in June.
But with no let-up in demand, all parts of the UK continued to report robust increases in house prices, RICS said. “Respondents are pretty unanimous in once again highlighting the challenge around supply, whether in the sales or rental markets,” said Simon Rubinsohn, RICS chief economist.
RETAIL:
Online building supplies retailer to create 100 new jobs in the region
An online retailer and marketplace for DIY and building supplies, Gasqet, has revealed plans to create 100 new jobs in Greater Manchester and the wider North- West in the next three years. The firm, which was launched during the pandemic by Ethar Alali, the MD of a Manchester based IT firm, provides sustainable alternatives to rubber products for pipework, serving both the home improvement and commercial markets. The new jobs planned for Gasqet form part of the firm’s ambitious plans for rapid growth in the next three years. The majority of new roles will be created in the firm’s Manchester city centre headquarters in its sales and digital teams. The firm is also looking to recruit a fleet engineers to serve business customers in the construction and petrol station sector, creating field-based roles based in Stockport, Liverpool, Warrington and locations in Cheshire.
TRAVEL:
The rules for travelling to popular holiday destinations explainedForeign holidays are legal, but under the traffic light system very few countries are on the green list of safe destinations.
Malta, Spain’s Balearic Islands, the Portuguese island of Madeira and a number of other destinations including some Caribbean islands are now green.
However, with the exception of Malta, all are on the “green watchlist” – which means they are at risk of moving to the amber list.
The UK government says you should not holiday in amber and red countries.
If you do, quarantine rules apply and you need to take compulsory Covid tests before and after you return. The government says it wants to scrap the need for fully vaccinated travellers to isolate on return to England from an amber country. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps is due to set out further details soon.
Coronavirus (COVID-19): domestic cruise ship travel
Domestic cruise operators with a passenger COVID-19 vaccination policy in place can operate at 50% capacity.
Checks to make sure you’re following quarantine rules after international travel
How NHS Test and Trace carry out checks by phone and in person on people who have a legal duty to quarantine at home after travelling abroad – added information on how contact tracers from NHS Test and Trace will contact you to check you’re following quarantine rules. Previously this information was published on GOV.?UK as part of ‘Quarantine and testing if you’ve been in an amber list country’.
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