Latest UK data:
Positive tests: 327,798 have tested positive + daily 1,184 new cases
Loss of life: 41,449 across all settings + 16
Cases in Cheshire East: 2,355 confirmed since start of the pandemic, + 19 in the last 7 days
Daily reported COVID deaths are now measured across the UK as deaths that occurred within 28 days of the first laboratory-confirmed positive COVID test
The R number and growth rate in the UK
The latest reproduction number (R) and growth rate of coronavirus (COVID-19) in the UK. The R number range for the UK is 0.9-1.1 and the growth rate range is -3% to +1% per day as of 21 August 2020.
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 has been reviewed and updated using a measure based on a 28-day limit between the date of a positive lab-confirmed test and date of death.
NHS Test and Trace (England) and coronavirus testing (UK) statistics: 6 August to 12 August 2020
Experimental statistics for weeks 1 to 11 of NHS Test and Trace contact tracing in England and coronavirus testing (UK).
Slides, datasets and transcripts to accompany coronavirus press conferences
Slides, datasets and transcripts from press conferences at 10 Downing Street in response to coronavirus.
UK HEADLINES:
Eat Out to Help Out serves up 64 million meals
Diners nationwide have been served over 64 million meals at discounted prices through the Eat Out to Help Out scheme launched to support the restaurant sector in August.
Co-op Bank to shed 350 jobs among branch closures
The Co-operative Bank has said it will cut 350 jobs and close 18 branches due to the current “economic uncertainty” and the shift to online banking. As well as jobs lost due to the branch closures, the cuts also include middle management and head office roles. The bank said that, where possible, it would look to redeploy colleagues. Coronavirus is accelerating the trend away from the High Street to online. Earlier this month, NatWest said it was cutting 550 jobs in branches.
Tesco to create 16,000 permanent jobs after ‘lockdown success’
Grocery giant Tesco has announced plans to create tens of thousands of jobs after a strong performance during lockdown. The firm is set to create 16,000 new jobs, including 10,000 staff to pick customer orders from shelves and 3,000 delivery drivers. The roles, which will be permanent, are being created in response to the growing demand for online shopping, which has risen since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown restrictions.
Debenhams Parent Company ‘preparing for its own administration
The parent company of high street chain Debenhams has reportedly hired advisers to handle its own administration. According to reports in The Telegraph and The Times, Celine Group Holdings has hired Philip Watkins and Philip Armstrong from FRP Advisory. However, this is understood to be aimed at avoiding paying overdue interest payments on £200m of bonds which were believed to have been due on July 15. The move will not affect Debenhams’ own administration process, its sales, customers or its staff. The department store chain entered a ‘light touch’ administration in April this year, the second time it had done so in the space of a year, to protect it from creditors while it conducted a sales process for the business. Directors are still running the chain, rather than administrators.
KPMG: Northern businesses secure more VC investment
The amount of venture capital investment secured by Northern businesses increased in the first half of 2020, according to a KPMG. The Venture Pulse Survey by KPMG Private Enterprise found venture capital totalling £263m backed 82 businesses across the North in the first six months of 2020. This represents a jump by value of nearly half (49 per cent) compared to H1 2019 when investment reached £176.5m, and a 24 per cent increase in the number of deals. Lizzie Smith, of KPMG Private Enterprise, said: “In a period that saw global lockdowns, economic contraction and a unique health crisis unfold, the expectation was that investment would be hit, but the venture capital market remained buoyant.
Read on at Insider
Unity and division in Great Britain
The effect of the coronavirus pandemic on perceptions of unity and division in Great Britain. Includes an assessment of unity and division over time and across numerous socioeconomic divides, such as age, sex, income, and perceptions of community.
Study finds very low numbers of COVID-19 outbreaks in schools
Public Health England detected just 67 single cases and 30 outbreaks (defined as 2 or more linked cases) in schools across England in June.
PM Issues direct plea to parents as new term set to start
The prime minister said it was “vitally important” to get back to face-to-face learning and the “life chances” of a generation were at stake. In a statement released on Sunday night, he thanked school staff for spending the summer “making classrooms Covid secure” and said the risk of contracting coronavirus in one was “very small”.
Mr Johnson’s words echo those of the UK’s four chief medical officers who’ve come together to reassure parents too, but BBC political correspondent Iain Watson says the PM clearly sees value in taking personal control of the back-to-school message himself. In part, that’s because the recent furore around exams has left confidence in Education Secretary Gavin Williamson damaged.
BBC: 39,000 jobs already lost to troubled travel sector – fear more to come
The UK travel industry has reached a “critical point” and further government support is vital to prevent even more redundancies and company closures. That’s the message from industry body Abta this morning. It says the pandemic has already claimed about 39,000 jobs and “the government’s stop-start measures” around quarantine restrictions have meant “the restart of travel has not gone as hoped”. Many firms, including cruise and school travel operators, remain closed altogether.
Student and Gap Year travel company ceases trading
STA travel has become the latest business to cease trading, as the coronavirus pandemic continues to impact the travel sector. Almost 500 UK jobs are thought to be at risk at the company, which specialises in trips for young people, such as gap years. The firm, which has more than 50 UK shops, said its sales had not picked up as anticipated due to renewed lockdown measures and customer uncertainty.
Music venues welcome £1.57bn Culture Recovery Fund
Many of England’s small music venues shuttered their doors in mid-March due to Covid-19, and now face the threat of permanent closure. In response, Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden announced a £1.57bn Culture Recovery Fund, which included £2.25m for music venues. Now, an extra £1.1m in emergency funding has been announced in response to high demand – news that has been “warmly” welcomed by music venues.
Ministers extend eviction ban for tenants
At the beginning of the coronavirus lockdown, a ban on evictions was introduced in England and Wales. Ministers have extended the ban on landlords evicting tenants in England and Wales until 20 September, following fears thousands could lose their homes. If the landlord wishes to take back possession of a property either at the end of a fixed-term tenancy agreement, or during a tenancy with no fixed end date, they will issue a Section 21 notice. The government has now changed the minimum notice periods tenants receive for evictions from three to six months. This rule will be in place in England until at least 31 March 2021, apart from in cases involving things like anti-social behaviour and domestic abuse.
Jenrick extends ban on evictions and notice periods
Figures released today show that retail sales have reached pre-pandemic levels. The Office for National Statistics has announced that retail sales volumes increased by 3.6 per cent in July, bringing it to 3 per cent above pre-pandemic levels in February. Fuel sales in the period continued to recover, but were still 11.7 per cent lower than February – likely due to data showing that road traffic in July was around 17 percentage points lower compared with the first week in February.
More than half a billion pounds to help people return home from hospital
People needing additional follow-on care after being discharged from hospital will be supported by a £588 million fund to cover adult social care or the immediate costs of care in their own home.
LOCAL / REGIONAL NEWS & UPDATES:
Robinsons customers 96% satisfied with Covid-19 safety measures
Robinsons Brewery have revealed that customer satisfaction with their tenanted and managed COVID-19 safety guidelines are hitting the mark with customers, according to a survey of 1800 customers of its tenanted pubs across the North-west
The key things you need to know about Manchester Airport this week:
Flights from Terminal Two set to move to Terminal One, new destinations for airlines including Hi Fly to Islamabad, plus Government changes its ‘travel corridors’ list with Portugal added. As we approach what should be the busiest weekend for the UK’s third biggest airport, the Northern hub is updating customers on its latest developments.
Cheshire East issues open letter rebuke to government over planning decision
Cheshire East Council has issued a stinging open letter to the secretary of state for housing strongly criticising his decision to grant a planning appeal
North of England: local restrictions
Find out what you can and cannot do if you live, work or travel in areas of the north of England including Greater Manchester that are subject to local restrictions.
COMMUNITY:
Coronavirus (COVID-19): safer travel guidance for passengers
Walking, cycling, and travelling in vehicles or on public transport during the coronavirus outbreak – added information on areas with local restrictions.
Meeting people from outside your household
How you can see people that you do not live with while protecting yourself and others from coronavirus (COVID-19) – the government will be introducing fines for those who facilitate or organise illegal gatherings of over 30 people, and updated guidance on shielding.
Face coverings: when to wear one and how to make your own
This page explains when to wear a face covering and how to make one – added that face coverings are required in these settings: casinos, skating rinks, bowling alleys, indoor play areas, exhibition halls and conference centres.
CONSTRUCTION:
Government Covid-19 construction worker pay-outs top £6billion
The unprecedented level of support for construction was revealed in new HM Revenue and Customs figures to the end of July. Around £2.93bn has now been paid out to 174,000 firms making claims for staff on furlough. Over 769,000 staff have received support, with three-quarters of the industry’s eligible firms signing up to the coronavirus job retention scheme at some point in the last six months.
CULTURE, MEDIA & SPORT:
DCMS Economic Estimates: Ad-hoc statistical releases
This page lists links to ad hoc statistical analyses on Economic Estimates that have not been included in our standard publications.
GAD helps kickstart UK film and TV productions
Government Actuaries Department – GAD – plays a central role in a new £500m government scheme set to kickstart the UK film and TV productions affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
EDUCATION:
Statement from the UK Chief Medical Officers on schools and childcare reopening
Statement from the Chief Medical Officers and Deputy Chief Medical Officers of England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales on the evidence of risks and benefits to health from schools and childcare settings reopening.
Letter from Roger Taylor to Royal Statistical Society: 21 August 2020
Letter from the Chair of Ofqual to Prof. Deborah Ashby OBE & Prof. Sharon Witherspoon MBE, Royal Statistical Society.
What parents and carers need to know about early years providers, schools and colleges during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
Information for parents and carers about going back to schools, nurseries and colleges in the autumn term – added new information on school admissions; updated the information on travelling to and from nursery, childminders, school and college, education, health and care (EHC) plans, wellbeing, online safety and assessment and exams.
Student guide to post-16 qualification results: summer 2020
A guide for those receiving qualification results in England this summer: updated 19 August.
Guidance for parents and carers of children attending out-of-school settings during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
Guidance for parents and carers of children attending community activities, holiday or after-school clubs, tuition and other out-of-school settings.
How are student accommodation providers adapting to Covid-19?
But how are these providers reacting to the challenges of Covid-19 and its requirement for social distancing and enhanced hygiene protocols?
Induction for newly qualified teachers during the coronavirus outbreak
Guidance about changes to newly qualified teacher (NQT) induction during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak – update to extend the period to 1 September 2021 during which NQT absences related to coronavirus (COVID-19) will not contribute towards the absence limit that would extend statutory induction.
EMPLOYERS / BUSINESS / FINANCE:
Working safely during COVID-19: enforcement agents (bailiffs)
COVID-19 secure guidance for enforcement agents (also known as bailiffs) using the Taking Control of Goods process.
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.
Claim for wages through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
Claim for 80% of your employee’s wages plus any employer National Insurance and pension contributions, if you have put them on furlough or flexible furlough because of coronavirus (COVID-19).
‘What you’ll need section’ updated to tell employers using the template for 100 or more employees that it may be rejected if the information provided is not given in the right format.
Coronavirus and occupational switching: January to June 2020
This article aims to look at the occupation switches across the labour market, focusing at the different demographics and the individual characteristics of the job movers, such as sex, age and qualifications. Using the LFS data from Quarter 4 (Oct to Dec) 2019 up to Quarter 2 (Apr to June) 2020, we aim to understand the impact of coronavirus on the job changes in the economy, also exploring the analysis from the industry angle. Aiming to understand which industries have seen changes in their workforce.
UK Government supports the income of over 510,000 people across Wales
Latest figures show an increase in the number of people in Wales benefiting from UK Government support schemes at the end of July
Download a template if you’re claiming for 100 or more employees through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
Complete a template with the details of the employees you’re claiming for and upload this when you claim – details section updated to tell employers using the template that it may be rejected if the information provided is not given in the right format.
Changes to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) from 1?? September and what this means for you.
- From 1?? September CJRS will pay 70% of usual wages up to a cap of £2,187.50 per month for the hours furloughed employees do not work.
- You will still need to pay your furloughed employees at least 80% of their usual wages for the hours they do not work, up to a cap of £2,500 per month. You will need to fund the difference between this and the CJRS grant yourself.
- The caps are proportional to the hours not worked. For example, if your employee is furloughed for half their usual hours in September, you are entitled to claim 70% of their usual wages for the hours they do not work up to £1,093.75 (50% of the £2,187.50 cap).
- You will continue to have to pay furloughed employees’ National Insurance (NI) and pension contributions from your own funds.
Further guidance and live webinars offering you more support on changes to the scheme and how they impact you are available to book online – go to GOV?.UK and search ‘help and support if your business is affected by coronavirus’. You can find everything you’ll need to help make your claim on GOV?.UK, including a useful calculator and guidance on the data you need to provide and the format you need to use to ensure your claim is accepted. Search for ‘claim for wages through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme’. If you’re claiming for 100 or more employees, please download and use our template as this will help you make sure your data is right – search ‘download a template if you’re claiming for 100 or more employees through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme’ on GOV?.UK.
Make sure you have the latest information by joining the live webinar:
Choose a date and time
ENVIRONMENT:
ONS: Air pollution and COVID-19 mortality rates in England, 6 August 2020
Paper by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) examining the potential relationship between long term air pollution exposure and COVID-19 mortality rates.
HEALTH CARE & WELLBEING:
COVID-19: laboratory evaluations of serological assays
PHE has undertaken a number of rapid evaluations of commercial serological assays for their suitability for detecting the production of COVID-19 antibodies – added Beckman Coulter Access Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG assay and supporting information for the PHE commercial serology assay evaluations.
Hospital discharge: leaflet for patients when they enter hospital
Leaflet given to patients when they are admitted to hospital to prepare them for discharge.
Hospital discharge service: policy and operating model
Sets out how health and care systems should support the safe and timely discharge of people who no longer need to stay in hospital.
PHE data series on deaths in people with COVID-19: technical summary
Summary of the PHE data series on deaths in people with COVID-19, outlining what the changes mean and how the data compare to other COVID-19 death data series.
NHS Test and Trace: how it works
An overview of the NHS Test and Trace service, including what happens if you test positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) or have had close contact with someone who has tested positive – added a link to a customer logging toolkit.
COVID-19: personal protective equipment use for aerosol generating procedures
Guidance on the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) for aerosol generating procedures (AGPs) – updated headings on instruction sheets, in line with the written guidance, to include airborne precautions.
Hospital discharge service guidance
Guidance on how health and care systems should support the safe and timely discharge of people who no longer need to stay in hospital.
National COVID-19 surveillance reports
National COVID-19 surveillance reports, including weekly summary of findings monitored through various COVID-19 surveillance systems – added paragraph detailing methods for calculating prediction intervals added on page 9 of the Methodology document.
Scientific evidence supporting the government response to coronavirus (COVID-19)
Evidence considered by the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) – added 2 new papers under the August SAGE meetings.
National COVID-19 surveillance reports
National COVID-19 surveillance reports, including weekly summary of findings monitored through various COVID-19 surveillance systems – added week 34 report, infographic, contain framework and data table.
Excess mortality in England: weekly reports
Weekly excess mortality in England broken down by age, sex, region, ethnic group, level of deprivation, cause of death and place of death – added paragraph detailing methods for calculating prediction intervals added on page 9 of the Methodology document.
HOSPITALITY:
Champneys Spa to open 14th September at Mottram Hall
Mottram Hall have announced that the North of England’s first Champneys Spa will open its doors at the hotel on the 14th September. The spa will open in September after Champneys have invested £15 million into the Cheshire estate, including £10 million on the 33,000 sq ft spa and health club.
JUDICIARY:
HMCTS weekly operational summary on courts and tribunals during coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
This page provides a weekly summary of the HM Courts and Tribunals Service operational position during the coronavirus pandemic – page update with new weekly operational summary.
Courts and tribunals additional capacity during coronavirus outbreak: Nightingale courts
This page holds a list of additional facilities opening to support the courts and tribunals estate during the coronavirus outbreak.
List of nightingale courts updated
Courts and tribunals tracker list during coronavirus outbreak
This page held a tracker list of open, staffed and suspended courts during the coronavirus outbreak – list of courts holding jury trials updated.
LOCAL AUTHORITY:
Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance for local government
Guidance for local councils during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Added links to: Announcement: New NHS Test and Trace app launched; Announcement: Stronger enforcement measures as easements resume; Guidance: Transport demand management toolkit; Research: Local authority COVID-19 financial impact monitoring information.
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.
MILITARY:
COVID-19: update on changes to Veterans UK Services
Due to ongoing COVID-19 precautions, there are changes to Veterans UK services. You can find the latest information here.
PROPERTY:
UK Agency breaks tradition to hold first-ever August Auction sale
In another sign of the buoyant housing market, estate agency Savills is breaking tradition by staging its first ever August auction today. A series of surprisingly-strong indicators across the market – reflecting high numbers of buyers, more homes coming to sale, and strong performances at auctions in recent weeks – persuaded the agency to make an exception to its August ‘no auction’ policy. “Traditionally August is a quieter month with people not necessarily being around to buy or sell; however with less people going away this year we’re expecting this to present far less of an issue” explains Christopher Coleman-Smith, head of Savills Auctions team.
The Citizens Advice charity is calling for tenants with arrears directly created by the Coronavirus to be offered government grants to help them out of debt.
Dame Gillian Guy, chief executive of Citizens Advice, says this should be the principle goal of government in the four week breathing space created by the eviction ban U-turn announced on Friday. “We’re really pleased the government has stepped in to keep its promise that no renter will lose their home because of the Coronavirus pandemic – for now at least” she says.
Stamp duty holiday attracts Far East investors
The stamp duty holiday running until March next year has triggered a surge in interest in UK property from Hong Kong and mainland Chinese buyers, according to a Chinese source. New data from property media giant Juwai IQI shows that while demand for UK property plummeted from April to June – unsurprising given the market closure in this country – there has been a significant bounce back in July.
In July, Chinese (that is, HK and mainland combined) buyers made 213 per cent more inquiries on UK property than one year earlier. That surge came off a low base; in each of the three months before July, Chinese buyer enquiries suffered double-digit declines compared to the levels seen a year earlier.
UK Commercial property investment down by 60%
Investment in UK commercial property for the month of July this year is down 60% compared to the same period last year.
Henry Boot to cut construction jobs
Henry Boot is restructuring its construction division with jobs set to go as workloads struggle to recover from the pandemic. The Enquirer understands that 19 people are affected with redundancies to start this week.
The impact of Covid-19 on the business saw construction make a pre-tax loss of £691,000 from a turnover of £55.6m for the six months to June 30. In the same period last year construction made a pre-tax profit of £5.4m from £60.8m turnover. Across the group pre-tax profits were down to £7.2m in the first half from £24.1m last time on a turnover reduced to £108.7m from £189m.
RETAIL:
DFS trading “significantly ahead” of expectations as markets recover
Furniture retailer DFS has reported ‘strong’ trading for the period since its previous statement on July 14. The firm has issued a new trading update for the last six weeks, in which it saw year-on-year order intake growth equivalent to around £70m in revenue. DFS commented: “This trading is significantly ahead of our initial expectations and is in addition to our previously announced strong opening order book that will generate a further in year revenue benefit of c.£100m.”
Jobs saved as buyer found for DW Sports
Mike Ashley’s Fraser’s Group, which owns Shirebrook-based Sports Direct, has made a £37m swoop for Wigan-based DW Sports. DW Sports had been placed in administration earlier this month, putting a total of around 1,700 jobs at risk. Sales were understood to have been hit by the coronavirus lockdown which forced its stores and gyms to shut.
ONS figures show retail sales bounce back to pre-pandemic levels
Figures released today show that retail sales have reached pre-pandemic levels. The Office for National Statistics has announced that retail sales volumes increased by 3.6 per cent in July, bringing it to 3 per cent above pre-pandemic levels in February. Fuel sales in the period continued to recover, but were still 11.7 per cent lower than February – likely due to data showing that road traffic in July was around 17 percentage points lower compared with the first week in February.
RURAL AFFAIRS:
Fund to support dairy farmers opens for applications
The dairy response fund is now open for eligible farmers to apply for up to £10,000 of financial support following the coronavirus outbreak.
Deadline 11th September 2020
TRAVEL:
Virgin Atlantic is to provide Covid-19 insurance cover for all passengers from now until next spring.
The insurance policy with Allianz Assistance offers comprehensive cover in the event a customer or travel companion becomes ill with Covid-19 while on a trip. It is applied automatically on each booking. Emergency medical costs, associated expenses such as transport and accommodation and repatriation up to £500,000 are included, as well as costs of up to £3,000 if a customer is denied boarding or held in quarantine.
Union urges tailored support to save 9,000 travel jobs
Following a survey of its members, Abta has estimated 90,000 travel jobs are at risk unless the government steps in. Manuel Cortes, TSSA general secretary, said:
“Our travel trade faces total wipe-out unless tailored, sector specific support is made available. Travel faces a unique perfect storm created by coronavirus …. The economic crisis borne from coronavirus is cementing the move away from High Street shopping. Sadly, without urgent government action, booking holidays in dedicated travel shops could become a thing of the past.”
Coronavirus (COVID-19): travel corridors
List of countries and territories from where you can travel to England and may not have to self-isolate – Austria, Croatia and Trinidad and Tobago removed from the travel corridor list at 4am Saturday 22 August. Portugal added to the list at 4am Saturday 22 August.
Coronavirus (COVID-19): safer transport guidance for operators
Safer working principles and risk assessment for transport operators and organisations – information added on areas with local restrictions.
Coronavirus (COVID-19): advice for UK visa applicants and temporary UK residents
This is advice for visa customers and applicants in the UK, visa customers outside of the UK and British nationals overseas who need to apply for a passport affected by travel restrictions associated with coronavirus. Updated guidance on ‘Applying for a visa if your VAC is closed’.
Useful Links:
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
Cheshire East Council – Discretionary Fund
Businesses that have been unable to access other forms of Covid-19 support can apply for grants from a £4.68 million fund.
http://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/covidDGS
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.
Cheshire East Council – Business rates grants
https://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/business/business_rates/business-rates-relief/coronavirus-covid-19-help-for-business-rates-customers.aspx
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