Latest UK data:
Total tests: 12,669,634 tests have been taken or mailed out + 202,912
Positive tests: 292,552 have tested positive + 642 in last 24 hours
Loss of life: 45,119 across all settings + 66
*new data now shows the results of all testing, Pillar 1 in hospital and Pillar 2 drive through test centres and swab results by post).
Coronavirus accounted for about 6% of all deaths in the UK in the week to 3 July, according to death registration data. This rate has slowly fallen from just over 10% in the middle of June.
Data from the ONS shows that fewer than one in 2,000 now has the virus as the slow decline in case numbers continues.
Coronavirus cases in the UK: daily updated statistics
The latest number of coronavirus (COVID-19) tests, cases and deaths in the UK
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 0.7-0.9 and the growth rate range is -5% to -2% as of 12 July 2020.
UK HEADLINES:
11am: Boris Johnson’s Government briefing:
- New powers announced to tackle local outbreaks including stay at home orders, closing amenities at short notice and preventing people from entering and leaving defined areas
- Arrangements in place to increase testing capacity to 500,000 per day
- Increased number of ventilators to nearly 30,000
- Increased pipeline of PPE
- Confirms £3bn extra UK-wide NHS funding
- Updated guidance on working from home giving employers more discretion, encouraging employees to use public transport
- August 1st – reopening of indoor performances
- Possible return of spectators to football matches in mid-October
- Hope for UK to return to significant normality by mid-November
- Plan ‘remains conditional’ on the basis that the UK can fight the coronavirus
Our plan to rebuild: The UK Government’s COVID-19 recovery strategy
The Government’s roadmap for how and when the UK will adjust its response to the COVID-19 crisis.
BBC: £3bn NHS fund to cope with second wave
The NHS in England will get an extra £3bn of funding to prepare for a possible second wave of coronavirus, Boris Johnson is set to announce.
The funding will also help ease winter pressures on the health service, Downing Street said. It follows warnings a second wave this winter could see around 120,000 Covid-19 deaths in UK hospitals. The PM is also expected to use a press conference on Friday to commit to a new target for testing capacity.
Under the plans, capacity would be increased to 500,000 coronavirus tests a day by the end of October.
BBC: End of the runway as Covid-19 grounds BA’s 747s entire fleet
British Airways has said it will retire all of its Boeing 747s as it suffers from the sharp travel downturn. The UK airline is the world’s largest operator of the jumbo jets, with 31 in the fleet. “It is with great sadness that we can confirm we are proposing to retire our entire 747 fleet with immediate effect,” a BA spokesman told the BBC.
Airlines across the world have been hit hard by coronavirus-related travel restrictions.
BBC: UK payrolls shrink by 649,000 jobs in lockdown
The number of workers on UK payrolls has fallen by 649,000 between March and June, official figures indicate. The number of people claiming work-related benefits – including the unemployed – was 2.6 million. However, the total was not as big as many feared, because large numbers of firms have put employees on the government-backed furlough scheme. Economists say the full effect on employment will not be felt until the scheme ends in October. Because of the effect of the furlough scheme on the employment market, analysts say the number of hours worked per week is currently a truer reflection of the impact of the coronavirus crisis. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said that since the start of the pandemic, total weekly hours worked in the UK had fallen by a record 175.3 million, or 16.7%, to 877.1 million hours.
Coronavirus and the latest indicators for the UK economy and society: 16 July 2020
Early experimental data on the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) on the UK economy and society, including online price changes data. These faster indicators are created using rapid response surveys, novel data sources and experimental methods.
BBC announces 70 more jobs cut in news division
An additional 70 jobs are to cut as a result of Covid-19. In total 520 jobs will go from a workforce of around 6,000. Last month the BBC offered all staff the opportunity to apply for redundancy
Government scheme to help universities in financial difficulties
New government scheme launched to support English universities at risk of insolvency
LOCAL / REGIONAL NEWS & UPDATES:
Why the North needs Northern Powerhouse Rail
Transport for the North is hosting a webinar to discuss why the North needs Northern Powerhouse Rail to be hosted on Wednesday 22nd July from 1pm – 2pm.
Their panel of experts will be discussing why Northern Powerhouse Rail is a fundamental part of levelling up the North. The North’s economy needs vital infrastructure improvements to boost investor confidence and create new jobs, especially in this time of new challenges.
The Integrated Rail Plan is looking at how this transformative programme can integrate with HS2 and other rail services across the North, and we will be exploring the benefits of an integrated network of new and upgraded lines between our major towns and cities. Northern Powerhouse Rail has the potential to boost economic growth and close the north-south gap in productivity. By better connecting the North we can rebalance the economy and bring tangible benefits; creating more dynamic places where people and businesses thrive will be an important factor in boosting productivity and jobs, and realising the North’s potential.
Questions are welcomed. Please note that this event is being hosted on Zoom, and a registration link will be sent in advance of the event.
Register to attend this event HERE
COMMUNITY:
Coronavirus: driving tests
Added information about when emails will be sent to car driving test candidates asking them to choose a new date for their test. Added the date that approved driving instructor (ADI) part 3 (instructional ability) tests and ADI standards checks restart in England and Wales.
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.
COVID-19: Guidance for the safe use of multi-purpose community facilities
Guidance for those managing community centres, village halls and other community facilities on safely re-opening multi-purpose buildings amended to reflect upcoming changes to the rules on wearing face coverings
COVID-19: guidance for the safe use of places of worship during the pandemic
This guidance is designed to enable the safe reopening of places of worship for a broader range of activities.
CONSTRUCTION:
Construction furlough total rises above 750,000
Construction companies furloughed just over three-quarters of a million staff during the coronavirus outbreak from March to the end of June.
The number accounts for 59% of eligible staff with 75% of eligible firms using the coronavirus job retention scheme at some point in the last five months.
New figures from HM Revenue and Customs reveal that £2.6bn was paid out to 171,400 firms making claims for support for staff. From now on the number of staff on furlough is expected to diminish sharply as contractors bring staff back into work or opt for redundancies to slim down for predicted lower levels of activity.
Surge in demand for groundworkers raises hopes of a “V-shaped” recovery for house builders.
Demand for groundworkers has passed the pre-lockdown peak according to analysis by Hudson Contract – the industry’s biggest payer of subcontractors. Latest data shows the number of groundworks operatives paid in the week commencing June 29 reached 6,467. This compares to the previous high of 6,261 in the week commencing March 16 and the low of 1,735 in the week commencing April 20.
EDUCATION:
Actions for FE colleges and providers during the coronavirus outbreak
Guidance for further education (FE) providers on maintaining education and skills training, changes to funding arrangements, data collections and assessment – added guidance on supporting vulnerable young people and specific advice for learners with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) to ‘What FE colleges and providers will need to do from the start of the 2020 autumn term’.
Higher education restructuring regime
A scheme for higher education providers in England facing financial difficulties as a result of coronavirus (COVID-19).
EMPLOYERS / BUSINESS / FINANCE:
Two new lenders accredited to the coronavirus business loan schemes
Two new lenders have been accredited to the British Business Bank’s coronavirus business loan schemes. New Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) lender Bank of India will be able to provide financial support to smaller businesses across the UK that are losing revenue and seeing their cashflow disrupted as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak. Silicon Valley Bank, accredited under the Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CLBILS), will be able to provide finance to midsized and larger UK businesses with a group turnover of more than £45m (the upper limit for the existing smaller-business focused CBILS).
Government acts to protect jobs in every part of the UK
Measures will protect the UK’s economy by preventing new burdens on business and provide certainty to support coronavirus recovery.
Travel Agency to expand across UK with more home-based workers
A high street agency has launched a homeworking division with aims to recruit a further eight staff this year. Platinum World Travel currently has two home-based consultants, one each in Shropshire and Kent, and is now on the hunt for agents in locations across England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Director Arron Mitchell told TTG he was hoping to attract both shop-based staff who had been made redundant due to Covid-19, or current home-based agents looking to switch companies. Applicants should have “at least” five years-worth of experience in travel retail and be well travelled.
Driving lessons, theory tests and driving tests to restart in England
Driving lessons and theory tests will restart on Saturday 4 July 2020 in England, and car driving tests will restart from Wednesday 22 July 2020 – added the date that approved driving instructor (ADI) part 3 (instructional ability) tests and ADI standards checks restart in England.
Coronavirus: restarting driver and rider training and tests
Guidance for driving instructors and motorcycle trainers about the restart of driver and rider training and tests, including working safely and timescales – added the date that approved driving instructor (ADI) part 3 (instructional ability) tests and ADI standards checks restart in England and Wales.
Coronavirus and the economic impacts on UK: 16 July 2020
New experimental data on the UK economy detailing the impact on businesses from the coronavirus (COVID-19).Data is from the Business Impact of Coronavirus Survey; a 2-weekly survey designed to estimate the impact over the previous 2 weeks and the expectations for the following 2 weeks.
Access to Work: factsheet for customers
Factsheet about Access to Work and how it can help overcome barriers to starting or keeping a job if you have a disability or long term health condition – updated the guidance on claiming travel costs during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak to remove the line explaining you do not need to get evidence to support your claim.
UK Government supports nearly 900,000 jobs across Scotland
New figures show the extent of UK Government coronavirus support for Scottish jobs and self-employed people.
DVLA Coronavirus (COVID-19) update
Our online services have not been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and are running as normal.
Coronavirus support for business from outside government
Public bodies, organisations and charities have produced additional resources that may be useful to employers and employees – added details about support offered from the National Federation of Self Employed & Small Businesses (FSB).
ENVIRONMENTAL:
Mapping recovery through environmental sustainability
Statement by Lord Goldsmith at WWF Side Event at the 2020 High-Level Political Forum on the Sustainable Development Goals
HEALTH, HEALTHCARE & WELLBEING:
Update on Randox test kits
Notification of issue relating to test kits produced by Randox laboratories
Coronavirus (COVID-19): getting tested
Guidance on coronavirus testing, including who is eligible for a test and how to get tested – added link to information on problem with Randox test kits, requiring all settings to pause the use of these test kits.
COVID-19: background information
Information on COVID-19 including epidemiology, virology and clinical features – updated global case numbers.
NHS Test and Trace statistics (England): 2 July to 8 July 2020
Experimental statistics for weeks 1 to 6 of NHS Test and Trace contact tracing in England.
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 include more information on how NHS Test and Trace classifies complex and non-complex cases and contacts, and how local test sites are included in turnaround statistics.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) testing in care homes: statistics to 8 July 2020
Latest figures on coronavirus testing for social care staff, their household members and residents of care homes.
HOSPITALITY:
Eat Out to Help Out Scheme
Register your establishment, claim money back, or get a discount with the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme.
Register your establishment for the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme
‘What happens next’ section updated to include the registration information that is available to the public. The ‘Register’ section now gives more information about which Government Gateway ID you can use.
Get a discount with the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme
From 3 to 31 August, get a 50% discount when you eat in at restaurants that are registered with the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme.
Get a discount with the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme
From 3 to 31 August, get a 50% discount when you eat in at restaurants that are registered with the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme.
The restaurant finder will now give you results within a 2 mile radius of the postcode you use.
JUDICIARY:
HMCTS online event, 15 July 2020: Use of remote hearings to maintain justice during the coronavirus outbreak
A recording of the live event hosted on 15 July 2020, including presentation slides.
LOCAL AUTHORITY:
Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance for children’s social care services
Advice about coronavirus (COVID-19) for local authorities and their partners to help support and protect vulnerable children – updated the amendments to regulations section of the guidance for children’s social care services.
COVID-19: Guidance for the safe use of council buildings
Guidance for those managing council buildings – amended to reflect upcoming changes to the rules on wearing face coverings
MANUFACTURING:
Car production is to resume at the Vauxhall plant in Ellesmere Port
Owner Groupe PSA has confirmed that the site, which makes the top-selling Astra model, will reopen on August 17. Production was halted in March as social distancing measures were introduced throughout the UK due to the coronavirus pandemic. Around 1,100 staff at the Ellesmere Port plant will return to a shop floor that has seen more than 100 safety features introduced to protect workers following an easing of lockdown restrictions. These include temperature checks and changes to shift patterns at the Cheshire site.
PROPERTY:
Boom for mortgage searches indicates strong housing market
Tuesday of this week was the busiest day of the year so far for searches for mortgages – widely seen as a good indicator of strong activity in the housing market. The flurry of activity, fuelled by the stamp duty holiday announced a week ago, was matched by a similar surge for buy to let searches according to mortgage technology platform Twenty7Tec. Sales director Phil Bailey comments: “Since the stamp duty announcement, the market has really hit its stride. The last seven days have been the busiest for mortgage searches all year and we’re handling increased volumes of searches each day.”
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:
AllClear Insurance launches new extensive Covid-19 policy
AllClear Insurance has launched a new Covid-19 policy including medical expenses, cancellation cover, repatriation and recuperation costs. The company, which specialises in providing cover for older travellers with pre-existing medical conditions, said the policy offered the “most wide-range set” of Covid-19 travel insurance measures. The policy includes up to £15 million emergency cover for Covid-19, as well as cancellation and trip curtailment protection if a family member becomes ill with coronavirus or is required to quarantine.
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