UK DATA:
Total UK Cases: 4,414,242 positive tests
Latest UK daily figure: 2,445 new cases
Number in UK hospital: 1,553 (134 new admissions)
New deaths across UK: 22
Total UK deaths: 127,502
England Cases per 100,000: 24.5 per 100,000
R number in UK: 0.7 to 1.0
Vaccine data:
Total 1st doses given: 34,094,048 up to and including 28 April 2021
Total 2nd doses given: 14,043,961
Latest Cheshire East data:
Total Cheshire East cases: 20,916
New cases in past 7 days: 63 to 24 April
Total deaths: 797
Cases per 100,000: 16.4 per 100,000
R number in North West: 0.6 to 0.9
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:
Covid in England at lowest rate since September
Infection rates in England fell 9% in a week, the lowest weekly figure since the week ending 2nd September last year. In the same period the number of rapid tests taken rose by 1m to 5.8m. The vaccination programme is being extended to all 42-year-olds in England as the British Government orders another 60 million of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine
WH Smith to open 100 new travel shops after £325m offering of Convertible Bonds
Funds raised from the Bonds will finance its growth plans including opening 100 travel shops. It said it has a pipeline of 68 stores to open in the US, with the remaining travel stores set to open across the UK, Australia and the rest of Europe. in the UK be issued in principal amounts of £100,000 each and will carry a coupon of 1.625% per annum payable semi-annually in arrear in equal instalments on 7 May and 7 November in each year, with the first interest payment date being 7 November 2021
UK secures extra 60 million Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines
An extra 60 million doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine have been secured by the UK government to help support the booster COVID-19 vaccination programme beginning from the autumn. To protect the most vulnerable ahead of the winter, the government is preparing for a booster programme based on clinical need to ensure people have the strongest possible protection against COVID-19. The additional Pfizer/BioNTech jabs will be used alongside other approved COVID-19 vaccines for the booster programme. This comes as new data from Public Health England (PHE) shows that one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine reduces household transmission of the virus by up to half. Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock said:
“Our vaccination programme is bringing back our freedom, but the biggest risk to that progress is the risk posed by a new variant. We’re working on our plans for booster shots, which are the best way to keep us safe and free while we get this disease under control across the whole world. These further 60 million doses will be used, alongside others, as part of our booster programme from later this year, so we can protect the progress that we’ve all made.”
Read the full statement here
Coronavirus data informing local and national decision-making
The Joint Biosecurity Centre (JBC) provides evidence-based, objective analysis to inform local and national decision-making in response to COVID-19 outbreaks – updated to add latest report for 22 April 2021.
LOCAL / REGIONAL NEWS & UPDATES:
Hundreds of business leaders gather at first regional mass gathering event pilot
Hundreds of business leaders and delegates gathered at Liverpool’s waterfront conference centre on Wednesday as part of the Government’s first trial event for mass gatherings. Representatives from some of the city’s biggest companies came together for the Good Business Festival, where no masks or social distancing were required.
North and West Midlands lead in UK’s job recovery
Recovery in the UK’s jobs market after the coronavirus pandemic is being led by towns and cities in the North and Midlands of England, according to research carried out by the Centre for Cities think-tank and global job site, Indeed. Since the government’s roadmap out of lockdown was announced in February, Indeed and Centre for Cities found that while hiring has gathered pace, recovery to the employment market was not evenly spread throughout the country. Of the 63 UK towns and cities analysed, nine, all in the North and Midlands, were now seeing job postings exceed pre-pandemic levels. Cities and towns in the South East of England dominated the lower end of the league table, with Crawley, close to Gatwick Airport, the town in England to have seen job postings recover the least.
Airport operator seeks waivers on financial commitments as pandemic impact continues
The group is seeking a waiver of financial conditions from 75% of its bondholders, following the estimation that passenger numbers were unlikely to recover until 2024.
ARMED FORCES:
Royal Navy and RAF combine efforts to deliver vaccines to world’s most remote Overseas Territory
UK Armed Forces have transported coronavirus vaccines to the Overseas Territory of Tristan da Cunha – the most remote inhabited island in the world.
BUSINESS:
Coronavirus and the latest indicators for the UK economy and society: 29 April 2021
Early experimental data on the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) on the UK economy and society. These faster indicators are created using rapid response surveys, novel data sources and experimental methods.
Covid-19 and the private security industry – FAQs
Information about how we are responding to the Coronavirus pandemic – updated the FAQ document to remove the following item: “Can approved contractors still sub-contract only to other approved contractors?”
Help and support if your business is affected by coronavirus (COVID-19)
Watch videos and register for the free webinars to learn more about the?support available to help you deal with the economic impacts of?coronavirus – a catch up webinar about Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) Rebate Scheme has been added.
Daily contact testing study
Information for employers of people taking part in the NHS Test and Trace daily contact testing for coronavirus (COVID-19) study.
COMMUNITY:
Private providers of coronavirus testing
Lists of and information about approved suppliers of private testing kits for coronavirus (COVID-19).
New one-off £500 payment for working households receiving tax credits
Find out more about the coronavirus (COVID-19) support scheme for working households receiving tax credits and your eligibility. The payment will appear in bank statements as ‘HMRC C19 support’. The deadline to tell HMRC if you have changed your bank details was 8 April 2021, the link for how to do this has been removed.
Heatwave Plan for England
The Heatwave Plan for England remains unchanged for summer 2021. Additional actions may be needed due to COVID-19 and specific resources are available below – updated ‘Beat the Heat’ leaflet and poster for COVID-19.
CONSTRUCTION:
Timber and steel shortages set to intensify
Merchants and building materials producers have warned timber shortages look set to worsen as construction demand rises. Timber supplies are tightening with one contractor reporting a leading national merchant chain ran out of basic shuttering timber a few weeks ago. World prices for sawn timber have soared in the face of ongoing supply chain disruptions due to the reduced availability of shipping containers, and strong global demand. This has seen timber join steel in seeing unprecedented price hikes over the last few months.
EDUCATION:
Asymptomatic testing: early years staff in different settings
How staff in early years settings can access regular rapid coronavirus (COVID-19) testing – rapid asymptomatic testing in early years settings guidance updated to reflect that asymptomatic testing is now available to everyone in England. We have also clarified where staff, parents or carers may be eligible for Test and Trace support payments.
EMPLOYMENT & TRAINING:
Stockport businesses invited to join peer networks
Stockport businesses are being invited to join the Peer Networks programme, giving SME leaders the opportunity to share advice on growing their business from peer-to-peer networking.The programme, delivered by the GC Business Growth Hub creates small cohorts of like-minded business owners from a diverse range of industries, provides the opportunity for cohorts of up to 11 business leaders to share challenges and advice with colleagues to help grow their organisations. Regular network meetings will be guided by a trained facilitator, for the duration of the programme, but groups can continue to meet independently after support from GC Business Growth Hub ends.
HEALTH & WELLBEING:
Visiting arrangements in care homes
Sets out how care homes can support families and visitors to visit residents – corrected to reflect that named visitors should be tested using rapid LFTs on the day of every visit.
COVID-19: ethical framework for adult social care
A framework to support the planning and organisation of adult social care during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak – added translations in 11 languages.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) testing for adult social care settings
Outlines the COVID-19 testing available for testing staff, residents and visitors for all adult social care settings – updated to add ‘Visitors to adult social care settings: reporting rapid lateral flow tests at home’ guidance.
Regulations made under section 24 of the Coronavirus Act 2020
Biometrics and Surveillance Camera Commissioner statement on the second regulations made under section 24 of the Coronavirus Act 2020.
Vulnerable children and young people survey
Summary of local authority survey in England to help understand the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on children’s social care – added ‘Vulnerable children and young people survey: waves 1 to 22’.
NHS COVID-19 app: privacy information
Privacy notice and data protection impact assessment for the NHS COVID-19 mobile app. – updated the NHS COVID-19 app: data protection impact assessment attachment to include new functionality introduced to the NHS COVID-19 App.
Inadvertent vaccination in pregnancy (VIP)
Advice for health professionals on pregnant women who are inadvertently vaccinated against coronavirus (COVID-19), chicken pox (varicella), shingles or measles, mumps, rubella – updated vaccination in pregnancy (VIP) notification form.
Independent health providers: accessing lateral flow tests
Independent health providers can access lateral flow testing kits directly from NHS Test and Trace replacing the ordering route provided by NHS England and NHS Improvement.
Coronavirus England briefing, 29 April 2021
Epidemiological data and hospitalisation metrics used by the government to brief MPs on local restriction tiers.
LOCAL AUTHORITY:
Coronavirus cases by local authority: epidemiological data, 28 April 2021
Weekly watchlist giving epidemiological coronavirus (COVID-19) data for each lower-tier local authority (LTLA) in England.
PROPERTY:
Covid issues hit leading agency group’s lettings revenue
UK’s One of the country’s largest lettings operations has outlined the challenges it faced during the Coronavirus crisis. LSL Property Services’ latest trading statement to shareholders says turnover within the private rental sector generally in 2020 was muted, as tenants tended to stay in their properties. In its financial statement for last year, LSL – which owns the Reeds Rains, Your Move and Marsh & Parsons agency brands – says its total lettings income decreased by 13 per cent to £57.7m.
TRAVEL:
Providers of day 2 and day 8 coronavirus testing for international arrivals
Information on the 2 tests you must book, pay for and take during your mandatory 10-day quarantine period after arriving in England, including how to book – added link to a survey on the experience of choosing and booking a testing provider. Updated the list of providers.
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.
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