Latest UK data:
Total tests: 12,748,043 tests have carried out, + 174,519 in the last 24 hours
Positive tests: 308,134 have tested positive + 950
Loss of life: 46,413 across all settings + 49
Patients in hospital: 1,118 – 73 patients on a ventilator
Daily admissions to hospital: 142
Cases in Cheshire East: 2,272 positive tests – up 5 cases
Coronavirus cases in the UK: daily updated statistics
The latest number of coronavirus (COVID-19) tests, cases and deaths in the 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 – Prime Minister’s statement on coronavirus (COVID-19): 31 July 2020
UK HEADLINES:
Bank of England: Coronavirus downturn less severe than feared
The UK economic slump caused by Covid-19 will be less severe than expected, but the recovery will also take longer, the Bank of England has said. The faster easing of lockdown measures and a “more rapid” pick-up in consumer spending meant the economy bounced-back earlier than it assumed in May. Spending on clothing and household goods were back to pre-Covid levels. However, the Bank warned of a “material” rise in unemployment this year as it held interest rates at 0.1%. Governor Andrew Bailey said recent data suggested the recovery in consumer spending was gaining traction, while spending on food and energy bills remained above pre-Covid levels.
Largest testing programme for coronavirus shows virus continued to decline in June
The second monthly REACT-1 report from Imperial College London and Ipsos MORI has been published, showing how the virus has spread in England.
BBC: This is what coronavirus will do to our offices and homes
A really interesting read – One day, the virus will subside. It could be eradicated.
But even then, life will not simply return to the way it was before Covid-19.
Spurred on by the coronavirus crisis, architects have been rethinking the buildings we inhabit. Follow the link to see how the new working day may look
How to use the ‘Eat Out to Help Out scheme’?
It’s hoped the ”eat out to help out” initiative will boost the struggling hospitality industry, now that the national lockdown is easing. How does the scheme work?
The promotion gives people a discount of up to 50% when eating or drinking soft drinks in a participating restaurant or other food establishment. It is valid all day Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 3 to 31 August across the UK.
The maximum discount available is £10 per person when you eat or drink in.
Coronavirus support measures help every region and nation in the UK
New data published today reveals how businesses across every corner of the UK are supported through government-backed coronavirus loan schemes.
LOCAL / REGIONAL NEWS & UPDATES:
FW Capital provides £7.5m of Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund and CBILS loans in 6 weeks
FW Capital has invested more than £7.5m in Northern businesses in just six weeks through NPIF loans backed by CBILS from NPIF – FW Capital Debt Finance, which is part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund. FW Capital provides loans between £100,000 and £750,000 to SMEs that are experiencing lost or deferred revenues, leading to disruptions to their cash flow backed by the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS). Since FW Capital launched its NPIF loans backed by CBILS, the funding has helped 24 businesses through two funds across the North of England, with a focus on the North West, Cumbria and Tees Valley. Businesses have received the money into their accounts in as soon as nine working days from the application date, with the average being just 17 days.
Business champion appointed to aid Cheshire recovery
Cllr Sarah Pochin has been appointed as Cheshire East Council’s business champion, to support economic recovery in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The newly created business champion role is set to support businesses on high streets, to engage with SMEs, larger organisations and those facing unemployment across Cheshire East.
Alderley Park Validation Centre secures investment from Getting Building Fund
A new Validation Centre of Excellence at Alderley Park is one of the schemes in Cheshire and Warrington to receive a share of £15.5 million from the Getting Building Fund.
Building on the success of the Medicines Discovery Catapult led Lighthouse Lab, Medicines Discovery Catapult and Alderley Park will create a new centre for innovative diagnostics, biomarkers and complex medicines and develop the UK’s onshore diagnostic capability and capacity and the associated supply chain.
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 under more stringent restrictions, including Greater Manchester, East Lancashire and West Yorkshire.
COMMUNITY:
Optional badges/lanyards to promote ongoing social distancing
Optional badges that can be used to show the carrier may have difficulties or concerns in maintaining social distancing.
Travel and tourism initiative offers free attractions for NHS staff
Britain Unites has been set up to offer those working in the NHS free access to tourism attractions in the UK, as well as to days out and free meals.
Emma-Jane Nutbrown, founder of Britain Unites, said: “Since the first confirmed Covid-19 case in the UK on 29 January, NHS staff have been on the frontline of a war. “The pandemic brought tourism to a standstill causing massive job and revenue losses; as an industry, this is our opportunity to say thank you to our NHS heroes, and give something back to them, all the while reviving our country’s businesses by encouraging domestic travel and rebuilding confidence in visiting venues.”
NHS staff can go to the Britain Unites website to find all the ticket giveaways and offers they can now take advantage of.
COVID-19 guidance for voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations
Information and advice for voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations during the coronavirus outbreak. Public safety and protecting vulnerable people is a top priority of government. Volunteers play a vital role in supporting the most vulnerable in our society and will play a crucial role in the response to coronavirus. This is especially true in the face of the coronavirus pandemic, where many may find themselves without their usual support networks. When travelling outside your home, walk and cycle if you can. Where this is not possible, use public transport or drive. In England, face coverings are now required by law to be worn in the following settings: shops, supermarkets, indoor transport hubs, indoor shopping centres, banks, building societies, post offices and on public transport. Please be mindful that there are valid exemptions for some individuals and groups to not wear a face covering in these settings. People are also strongly encouraged to wear a face covering in any enclosed public space where there are people they do not normally meet. You can find the legislation here and the GOV.?UK guidance has been updated in line with this. When disposing of face coverings and PPE, people should do so in a ‘black bag’ waste bin or litter bin. Face coverings or PPE should not be put in a recycling bin or dropped as litter. Businesses should provide extra bins for staff and customers to dispose of single-use face coverings and PPE, and should ensure that staff and customers do not use a recycling bin. Full details on how to dispose of your personal or business waste during the coronavirus pandemic can be found on GOV.?UK.
Coronavirus and the social impacts on Great Britain: 7 August 2020
Indicators from the Opinions and Lifestyle Survey covering the period 29 July to 2 August 2020 to understand the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on people, households and communities in Great Britain.
Supported living services during coronavirus (COVID-19)
Guidance for providers of supported living settings.
Domestic abuse: get help during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
Find out how to get help if you or someone you know is a victim of domestic abuse – added more information about help for children and young people.
CONSTRUCTION:
Planning revolution to open housing market to smaller builders
A radical overhaul of the planning system will be a “major boost” to SME builders. The Government wants smaller housing developers and contractors to be “key players in getting the country building on the scale needed to drive our economic recovery.” SME builders have seen their share of the new housing development market drop from 40% 30 years ago to just 12% today. The complex planning system is seen as a major hurdle for smaller firms. Now Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick has unveiled plans for a major overhaul of the system with his Planning for the future White Paper.
DIGITAL, IT & TECHNOLOGY:
UKTCG urges Government to prioritise grassroots expectations ahead of Digital Strategy
The government has been urged to prioritise the establishment of new product-led tech start-ups across the country ahead of its upcoming Digital Strategy, in a new report released by the UK Tech Cluster Group (UKTCG) today. The UKTCG, a self-assembled group of individuals and organisations which support geographical clusters of technology and digital businesses across the UK, has outlined seven key recommendations to unlock the potential of the UK’s tech sector following the economic impact of Covid-19. Delivering a Recovery Roadmap Summit on June 23rd, the Group brought together hundreds of tech stakeholders, policymakers, investors and entrepreneurs in a one day virtual event to explore and develop ideas on how to both help the tech sector grow as part of the UK’s economic recovery and to better understand how digital can accelerate the recovery of other sectors too. The first of its kind event, conducted via a series of interactive workshops, highlighted the disproportionate impact that Covid-19 has had on the UK’s regions and nations. Sessions shared knowledge and best practice, considering ways in which towns and cities can come together to recover and reboot, while exploring how the tech sector can be harnessed to support local communities. Today’s report captures the learnings from the day and presents seven policy recommendations to meet the expectations of grassroots communities from across the UK.
EDUCATION:
Your results, what next?
Understanding your qualifications grades this summer. Link to Student guide to appeals and malpractice or maladministration complaints: summer 2020 added to further resources section. Grading in 2020 – information for students animation video added.
Improved schools can appeal over exam results
With GCSE and A-level exams cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic, schools in England have been told they will be able to challenge results which may not reflect improvements in their performance. Because students have not sat exams this year, grades are being calculated by combining teachers’ estimates for individual pupils with a statistical model based on their school’s past results. But the exams regulator in England, Ofqual, says schools and colleges will be able to challenge the results if they have been through a major change of leadership which has turned around their recent performance .
School attendance: guidance for schools
How schools can use pupil registers and attendance codes, including in circumstances due to coronavirus (COVID-19), and set school hours and term dates – added ‘Addendum’ document, updated main guidance document with information about coronavirus (COVID-19) and edited ‘details’ text to explain the role of the 2 documents for the 2020 to 2021 academic year.
Student guide to post-16 qualification results: summer 2020
A guide for those receiving qualification results in England this summer. Page 7 of the guide now includes a website link for the Information Commissioner’s Office website and further details. Page 11 and 20 of the guide have been updated with additional information and guidance on appeals.
Consultation on statutory guidance in relation to the GQCovid regulatory framework
Proposals on statutory guidance in relation to the GQCovid regulatory framework. Consultation decisions, analysis of feedback responses and updated guidance added.
Student guide to appeals and malpractice or maladministration complaints: summer 2020
A guide for those receiving qualification results in England this summer.
Appeal arrangements for AS, A levels and GCSEs
Arrangements confirmed for appeals on AS, A level and GCSE grading in summer 2020.
Relief scheme for providers of apprenticeship training to public sector employers
Information for public sectors employers wanting to provide additional relief to their post-16 training providers during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
Coronavirus (COVID-19): Tier 4 sponsors, migrants and short-term students
Guidance for Tier 4 sponsors, migrants and short-term students on temporary concessions in response to the outbreak of coronavirus – added information for sponsors of distance learners and that students who star a course by distance learning outside the UK must be granted a visa before travelling to the UK.
Coronavirus (COVID-19): advice for Tier 2, 4 and 5 sponsors
This is advice for Tier 2, 4 and 5 visa sponsors in the UK who are sponsoring those affected by coronavirus (COVID-19) – added that: if a student stops engaging with their distance learning for more than 30 days, whether overseas or in the UK, sponsors must withdraw sponsorship. Before travelling to the UK, students starting a course by distance learning must have a CAS and a Tier 4 visa.
EMPLOYERS / BUSINESS / FINANCE:
Coronavirus and the latest indicators for the UK economy and society: 6 August 2020
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.
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. The East of England (11% of the total number of CBILS loans UK-wide) has the highest usage of CBILS outside London and the South East (33%) while the North West (11% of the total number of BBLS loans UK-wide) reports highest usage of BBLS outside London and the South East (34%).
HMRC: Job Retention Bonus scheme – are you eligible?
HMRC has outlined the eligibility requirements for the Job Retention Bonus (JRB) that follows the furlough scheme as part of the government’s measures to support the economy through the COVID-19 lockdown. The government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme ends on 31 October 2020 and the JRB aims to provide additional support to employers who keep on their furloughed employees in meaningful employment. The JRB is a one-off payment to employers of £1,000 for every employee who they previously claimed for under the scheme, and who remains continuously employed through to 31 January 2021. Eligible employees must earn at least £520 a month on average between the 1 November 2020 and 31 January 2021. Employers will be able to claim the JRB after they have filed PAYE for January and payments will be made to employers from February 2021.
Coronavirus business grant funding by parliamentary constituency and local authority
Data on the coronavirus (COVID-19) business grant schemes.
NB: This data is relevant only up to 5th July. The grant payments in Stockport now amount to nearly £63 million.
Statistics on coronavirus support for business and individuals
Data on financial support measures announced by the government for businesses and individuals affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
COVID-19: business rates reliefs by parliamentary constituency
Local authority data on the expanded retail discount and nursery discount reliefs, England
Coronavirus grant funding: local authority payments to small and medium businesses
Local authorities have received and distributed funding to support small and medium businesses in England during coronavirus.
Employer guide to results for regulated qualifications: summer 2020
A guide for employers about qualification results in England this summer.
ENVIRONMENT:
Hot weather warning issued for parts of the country
Public Health England issues a heat-health warning as the Met Office forecasts high temperatures.
HEALTH CARE & WELLBEING:
Coronavirus (COVID-19): notification to organisations to share information
Notification to healthcare organisations, GPs, local authorities and arm’s length bodies that they should share information to support efforts against coronavirus (COVID-19) – updated to extend the effect of each of these notices from 30 September 2020 to 31 March 2021.The general notice (1st attachment) has also been updated to include combined authorities and the NHS Test and Trace service. The amendments do not change the extent of the notices but have been made to put beyond doubt the organisations and purposes that are covered.
Wider impacts of COVID-19 on health monitoring tool
National monitoring tool that brings together metrics to assess the wider impacts of coronavirus (COVID-19) on health.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Infection Survey pilot: England, 7 August 2020
This release provides initial data from the COVID-19 Infection Survey. This survey is being delivered in partnership with the University of Oxford, the University of Manchester and Public Health England.
COVID-19: background information
Information on COVID-19 including epidemiology, virology and clinical features – updated global case numbers.
Oral health
Information and resources for dental public health practitioners to improve oral health and reduce inequalities in England – added ‘COVID-19: mouth care for patients with a confirmed or suspected case’.
NHS Test and Trace statistics (England): 23 July to 29 July 2020
Experimental statistics for weeks 1 to 9 of NHS Test and Trace contact tracing in England.
DHSC testing and tracing statistics: information for users
A summary of explanatory information to support users of DHSC coronavirus (COVID-19) testing and tracing statistics – updated to correct an error in how the number of people tested relates to the number of positive cases.
COVID-19: mouth care for patients with a confirmed or suspected case
Guidance on mouth care for patients with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 who are non-ventilated, ventilated and those having step down or end of life care.
NHS Test and Trace statistics (England): methodology
How the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) puts together the contact tracing data in its weekly reports – updated to correct an error in how the number of people tested relates to the number of positive cases and to add further details on which cases are transferred to NHS Test and Trace.
COVID-19: background information
Information on COVID-19 including epidemiology, virology and clinical features.
REACT-1 study of coronavirus transmission: June 2020 results
Results of real-time assessment of community transmission of coronavirus (COVID-19) during June 2020.
COVID-19: PHE laboratory assessments of inactivation methods
PHE has undertaken assessments of inactivation methods against SARS-CoV-2 with further evaluations ongoing – added 12 SARS-CoV-2 inactivation testing interim reports.
HOSPITALITY:
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 claims service for the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme is now live.
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 YouTube video for the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme – making a claim has been added.
Wetherspoons to cut 150 jobs
Up to 130 head office jobs at national chain JD Wetherspoon could be cut as the firm deals with the impact of Covid on the pub and restaurant sector. The number amounts to around a third of jobs at its head offices around the country, but chief executive John Hutson has said no firm decision has yet been made.
JUDICIARY:
Coronavirus (COVID-19): courts and tribunals planning and preparation
This page provides advice and guidance for all court and tribunal users during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and will be updated when new advice is available.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and prisons
This page provides guidance for families and friends of those in prison in England and Wales during the coronavirus pandemic.
MILITARY:
DCYP COVID-19
This Directorate Children and Young People (DCYP) COVID-19 page provides important advice and updates for service parents – addition of: British Defence Staff United States (BDSUS) / DCYP Educational information awareness update as at 5 August 2020
PROPERTY:
Confirmed: 30% discount for first time buyers under new scheme
Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick has confirmed that the First Homes scheme will provide newly built homes at a 30 per cent discount for first time buyers, local people and key workers. Confirmation of the initiative, first announced back in February, came in the lengthy and controversial planning reform proposals outlined by Jenrick this week. “First Homes will be life-changing for people all over the country aspiring to take their first step on to the housing ladder” he says, adding that the discount should be “at least” 30 per cent.
Rightmove unpacks record traffic figures as sales demand increases by 50 per cent
Real estate company Rightmove has reported that it has seen record traffic on its site since the easing of lockdown in the UK. The business recorded 65 days since 13 May that beat its previous traffic record, as well as a 50 per cent increase in demand for sales properties. Despite the uptick since the housing market reopened, the company saw its revenues for the first half of the year drop by 34 per cent, going from £143.9m in 2019 to £94.8m.
Coronavirus is re-shaping lettings demands, say lettings agency
Research by a lettings agency suggests the pandemic has radically reshaped tenants’ demands. – and the process is still going on. Benham and Reeves surveyed over 1,700 tenants asking them to rank several rental property features on their importance, before comparing this to the same survey results from last year. The 2020 figures show that fast broadband is the most sought after feature as a potential future of working from home looms – this was only the second most sought after feature in the previous survey before the pandemic. The more significant changes have been the prioritisation of outside space and the availability of nearby green areas such as parks.
Average sale price is £13k below asking, new survey shows
The proportion of the asking price achieved on average in the past year is 95.8 per cent according to a new survey. Comparison website GetAgent – analysing data from property portals cross-referenced with HM Land Registry and relating to England and Wales – says there are significant regional variations but that on average this discount means sellers get some £13,300 below their original average asking price of £319,789. The best performing location in terms of sale price almost matching asking price has been Sheffield on 99.2 per cent. Bradford (98.6 per cent), Salford (98.5 per cent), Trafford (98.4 per cent) and Manchester (98.2 per cent) also come close, indicating a sought-after market in the north west of England.
RETAIL:
New car sales rise for first time since 2019
The registrations of new cars in the UK rose for the first time this year in July, according to new figures. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has reported a 11.3 per cent increase during the month with 174,887 cars registered as dealerships across the whole of the UK opened for their first full month of trading since February. However, overall registrations are still down by 41.9 per cent or 598,054 vehicles in the year to date. Despite the increase in July, SMMT’s full-year outlook is for a 30 per cent decline in registrations, representing more than £20bn of lost sales. Private demand saw the most significant growth with a 20.4 per cent increase in registrations, primarily a result of consumers finally being able to renew their cars after lockdown had forced them to delay.
RURAL AFFAIRS:
Coronavirus (COVID-19): information for farmers, landowners and rural businesses
The latest information for farmers, landowners and rural businesses during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Read this page for regular updates – update CS Mid-Tier information following 31 July deadline, and including reference to 31 August exception process deadline; removal of CS small grants following 31 July deadline.
Forestry Commission operational update: coronavirus
Details on the Forestry Commission’s working practices during the coronavirus outbreak – updated with information on how the Forestry Commission is conducting site visits (under the ´Site visits and operations´ heading) and how we are progressing Higher Tier applications (under the ´Grants´ heading).
SPORT & LEISURE:
Daily Visitors to DCMS Sponsored Museums and Galleries
These experimental statistics show the number of daily visits to DCMS sponsored museums and galleries. For final visitor figures, refer to the monthly report – uploaded daily museum visitor statistics for w/c 27th July 2020
TRANSPORT:
Transport use during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic
To monitor the use of the transport system during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, DfT provides statistics on transport use by mode, published every Wednesday.
TRAVEL & TOURISM:
MPs urge Government to improve travel corridor messaging
The government must make “significant changes” to the way in which it communicates any further changes in countries’ quarantine status, a cross-party committee of MPs has advised. The Home Office select committee on Wednesday (5 August) said while it welcomed the decision to reintroduce border measures and provide exemptions through quarantine-free travel corridors, it was vital the government published the traffic light assessments, prepared by its Joint Biosecurity Centre, to ensure travellers have up-to-date information on the risks of travelling to a specific destination.
Coronavirus (COVID-19): countries and territories exempt from advice against ‘all but essential’ international travel
The FCO updated its global advisory against ‘all but essential’ travel, exempting destinations that no longer pose an unacceptably high risk for British travellers. Change made: Andorra, Belgium and the Bahamas removed from the exemptions list to the Global Travel Advisory based on the current assessment of COVID-19 risks. Andorra, Belgium and the Bahamas are no longer exempt from the FCO advice against all non-essential international travel. The FCO advises against all but essential travel to Andorra, Belgium and the Bahamas
Coronavirus (COVID-19): travel corridors
List of countries and territories from where you can travel to England and may not have to self-isolate. Andorra, The Bahamas and Belgium will be removed from the exempt list for arrivals at 4am, 8 August 2020.
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