UK DATA:
Total UK Cases: 4,188,400 positive tests
Latest UK daily figure: 6,391 new cases
Number in UK hospital: 12,748 (1,110 new admissions)
New deaths across UK: 343
Total UK deaths: 123,296
England Cases per 100,000: 97.1 per 100,000
R number in UK: 0.6 to 0.9
Vaccine data:
Total 1st doses given: 20,478,619 up to and including 1 March 2021
Total 2nd doses given: 844,098
Latest Cheshire East data:
Total Cheshire East cases: 19,806
New cases in past 7 days: 356 to 25 February
Total deaths: 777
Cases per 100,000: 92.7 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:
Health Secretary’s briefing Monday March 1st
Key points:
– Over 20 million people have been vaccinated
– Recent figures show 94% of those eligible have said they have either had a jab – or will get the jab when the call comes
– the number of new cases is falling but the rate of decline has slowed
– the number of hospitalisations is falling
– the Chancellor will set out £1.65 billion of new government funding to reinforce our vaccine rollout across all parts of the UK
– Brazilian variant identified in the UK, 3 in Scotland and 3 in England; 5 of these people quarantined at home – one of the 6 completed a test but did not successfully complete contact details. Anyone who took a test on the 12 or 13 February but hasn’t received the result back, to please get in touch by calling 119 in England, Wales or Northern Ireland – and 0300 303 2713 in Scotland.
Government to discuss digital coronavirus pass with EU
The pass would provide proof of vaccination, any necessary pre-travel test results for those yet to be vaccinated, and information relating to an individual’s recovery from Covid-19. German chancellor Angela Merkel said she expected it would take around three months to bring such a pass to fruition. Prime minister Boris Johnson’s official spokesperson reiterated to the BBC on Monday afternoon the government was looking into the issue of vaccine certification. Vaccine certification is expected to form part of various reviews of how the UK economy and society reopens over the coming months, such as hospitality, with the newly reconvened Global Travel Taskforce due to report in mid-April on the feasibility of restarting international from 17 May at the earliest.
Brazilian variant case found in England
Six cases of the variant have been found in the UK. The whereabouts of one of those infected is unknown. The person did not complete a test registration form so remains unidentified – prompting an appeal for anyone without a result from a test on 12 or 13 February to come forward.
Why the UK’s coronavirus alert level has been lowered to four
The level has been changed because the number of people in hospital is falling and “the threat of the NHS and other health services being overwhelmed within 21 days has receded”. Level four means coronavirus transmission remains “high,” and health services are still “under significant pressure with a high number of patients in hospital”. “Transmission rates, hospital pressures and deaths are still very high,” the statement added. A change in alert system does not automatically mean restrictions can ease, but it helps to inform government decisions on lockdown rules.
14.6% revenue loss for national newspaper firm despite double digit digital growth
One of the country’s largest newspaper publishing groups has reported an almost 15 per cent year-on-year revenue decrease. Publishing group Reach has published its results for the 52 weeks ending December 27 2020. During 2020 the company’s revenues fell by 14.6 per cent on the previous year, from £702.5m to £600.2m. Reach’s digital business saw double digit growth of 10.6 per cent, while its print business dropped by 18.9 per cent – a result that the firm has attributed to the disruption caused by the pandemic. The firm owns 240 regional papers in addition to the national publications like Daily Mirror, Daily Express, Sunday Express, Daily Star and OK! magazine.
UK charities join together to boost vaccine drive
Sixteen frontline charities have formed a new partnership to encourage those with long-term health conditions and their carers to get the COVID-19 vaccine.
Budget 2021 preview:
Budget boost for UK vaccination programme
The UK’s vaccination rollout will receive an extra £1.65bn in the Budget to help it reach its target of offering a first dose to every adult by 31 July. The Chancellor will also announce that £22m of the existing funding will be used in a trial to see if mixing different vaccine doses works. More than 20 million people in the UK have had a first dose.
Chancellor to announce £400m to aid recovery in arts and culture
Mr Sunak is expected to put an extra £300m into the £1.57bn Culture Recovery Fund in England. National museums and cultural bodies will receive £90m to help them until they can open on 17 May at the earliest, with £18.8m provided for community cultural projects. An additional £77m will be given to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
A mortgage guarantee scheme to help people with small deposits get on the property ladder is set to be announced in tomorrow’s Budget.
The government will offer incentives to lenders, bringing back 95% mortgages which have “virtually disappeared” during the pandemic, the Treasury says.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak says public finances are facing a “challenge” from the pandemic’s impact on the economy.
Ahead of Wednesday’s Budget, the chancellor said the grants, worth as much as £18,000 per firm, will help them reopen as England eases lockdown.
It was broadly welcomed by firms but some groups said it was not enough.
Despite concerns about the country’s debt, Mr Sunak told the BBC’s Marr show his priority was still jobs and firms.
The chancellor said public finances faced “enormous strains” due to the pandemic. “I want to level with people about the challenges we face,” he said.
But the new £5bn grant scheme would help people “reopen their businesses” and is “the right thing to do now”, Mr Sunak said.
New data show vaccines reduce severe COVID-19 in older adults
New data show both Pfizer-BioNTech and Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines significantly reduce severe COVID-19 in older adults.
LOCAL / REGIONAL NEWS & UPDATES:
Regional leaders agree Northern Powerhouse rail route
Regional and transport leaders from the North of England have agreed their preferred route for a proposed East-West high-speed rail route, dubbed Northern Powerhouse Rail. Plans for the route have been drawn up by regional transport body, Transport for the North (TfN), and with the ambitious project now submitted to the Department for Transport for consideration for inclusion in its upcoming rail investment plan for the region.
Survey reveals impact of Brexit on North West businesses
A survey of businesses conducted by Chambers of Commerce across the North-west has shown the scale of impact of Brexit on the region. According to the Covid-19 and Brexit Impact Tracker survey conducted between 18th January and 2nd February by British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), businesses have seen a sharp decrease in demand in the fourth quarter of 2020, similar to levels seen in the height of the first national lockdown in June last year.
Manchester Airport asks Chancellor for support in Wednesday’s budget
Karen Smart, managing director of Manchester Airport, has joined forces with bosses from five other Northern hubs, including Liverpool, to call on the Government to back their struggling sector in its Budget next week. They are also calling for a manageable, realistic and cost-effective system that would enable travel to restart in May. Options the Government could consider include:
- Relief from fixed costs paid to government. While significant support has been given to other ‘closed’ sectors of the economy, airports, which have now had their trade further restricted, are yet to receive support in light of new measures.
- A sector-specific extension of the furlough scheme to help the hundreds of thousands of jobs supported by the industry. Aviation will bounce back, but tens of thousands of jobs across the UK face falling off the cliff edge unless furlough for this industry is extended post April. Measures to boost the sector by reducing the cost of travel and spurring on Northern aviation. This could include reducing taxes levied on passengers to help stimulate demand as restrictions are eased.
Council welcomes applications to its Green Homes Grant scheme
Cheshire East Council is inviting applications to its Green Homes Grant scheme. The council has recently been awarded funding from the government in a bid to support residents to make energy efficiency improvements to their homes.
BREXIT:
If you move goods between the UK and countries in the EU, you need to follow new customs and tax rules.
Your business will be affected by the new rules if you:
- buy goods from an EU seller and bring them into the UK
- send goods you’ve sold to a buyer in an EU country
- haven’t exchanged money but need to move equipment that you use for your business, between the UK and the EU.
Exporting: what you need to do to keep your goods moving: An overview of the actions you need to take now before you export goods from Great Britain to the EU and move goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Key processes include – zero-rated VAT, customs declarations, using an intermediary as well as licences, certificates, and authorisations. Please register to take part if you’re planning to export.
Customs Import Declarations: An overview: If your business or a business you represent, needs to make customs import declarations on controlled goods and on non-controlled goods by the end of June 2021, our webinar helps you to understand what’s needed for simplified declarations, supplementary declarations, and delayed import declarations. Please register to take part if you’re planning to import.
Trader responsibilities when using an intermediary: This webinar explains your responsibilities as a trader, if you choose to use an intermediary to complete import or export declarations for your business. These are complex and an intermediary can save you a lot of time. Please register to take part if you’re planning to import or export.
Importing:What you need to know about Staged Controls: This webinar takes you through the three stages of the new border controls introduced on 1?? ?January?? ?2021, and what actions you need to take for each stage. Please register to take part if you’re planning to import. You can also:
- watch our videos on HMRC’s YouTube channel to familiarise yourself with the new customs processes and what you need to do before you trade goods with the EU
- use the trader checklist to make sure you’re familiar with the new rules that affect you
- use our updated guides to understand the new customs and VAT requirements when moving goods between the UK and EU countries
- sign-up to the Trader Support Service if moving goods between GB and Northern Ireland and use their suite of educational products – including online training modules and webinars for support with the Northern Ireland Protocol
- ask and get answers to specific questions about HMRC processes for importing or exporting, by visiting our customer forums
- watch webinars and videos from other government departments to support you
- you can also sign up to our weekly email updates on ‘News and information about importing and exporting with the EU‘, providing hints and tips for businesses like yours, getting used to the new rules for importing and exporting.
Call our Customs & International Trade helpline on 0300?? ?322?? ?9434, for more help with importing, exporting or customs reliefs. The helpline is open?? ?from 8am?? ?to?? ?10pm?? ?Monday?? ?to?? ?Friday and?? ?from 8am?? ?to?? ?4pm at?? ?week??ends. You can also send us your questions or webchat.
BUSINESS:
Bank of England: Consumer borrowing suffers biggest fall since 1994
The Bank of England has today reported that consumer borrowing across the country fell in January at its fastest pace since May last year. The bank’s data showed that unsecured lending to consumers fell by £2.4bn, the biggest drop since May 2020’s fall of £4.6bn. The figures mean that year-on-year, figures have fallen by 8.9 per cent – the biggest decline since monthly records began in 1994. The Bank of England said: “Households’ consumer credit weakened in January with net repayments of £2.4bn.
Jobs and benefits: the COVID-19 challenge
Report assessing the impact of COVID-19 on the benefits system and the measures needed to get people back to work.
Coronavirus (COVID-19): testing guidance for employers
Guidance for employers and third-party healthcare providers on the regulations and legal obligations of running testing programmes – updated to reflect the ongoing evolution of private-sector testing. In particular, updated advice in relation to lateral flow device (LFD) testing, routes to access testing, and a more comprehensive supplementary annex for employers and third-party providers wishing to offer workplace testing for asymptomatic employees.
Coronavirus (COVID-19): advice for pregnant employees
Advice for pregnant employees on risk assessments in the workplace and occupational health during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic – updated the link to RCOG and RCM guidance on coronavirus (COVID-19) infection and pregnancy. Under ‘Background’, added that the government has published the ‘COVID-19 response – Spring 2021’ setting out the roadmap out of the current lockdown for England, and that from 8 March some of the rules on what you can and cannot do will be changing.
COMMUNITY:
COVID-19 vaccination: women of childbearing age, currently pregnant or breastfeeding
Information for all women of childbearing age, those currently pregnant or breastfeeding on coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination.
COVID-19 vaccination: what to expect after vaccination
Information for people who have had their first COVID-19 vaccination.
COVID-19 vaccination: why you are being asked to wait
Information about COVID-19 eligibility and vaccine supplies.
Testing for coronavirus before hospital
Sets out how and when to use a PCR home test kit to test for COVID-19 before a hospital procedure.
How to stop the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19)
Advice for everyone to help stop the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).
Rapid lateral flow testing for households and bubbles of school pupils and staff
Find out who is eligible for twice-weekly testing and how to get tested if you do not have symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19). This guidance is for people without symptoms – removed the link to find your nearest home test kit collection point as there are technical problems preventing the map from working.
All households with children of school aged to get rapid COVID-19 tests per person per week
Whole families and households with primary school, secondary school and college age children, including childcare and support bubbles, will be able to test themselves twice every week from home as schools return from 8 March. Tests can easily be ordered and collected from local sites, or administered through workplace testing programmes.
Coronavirus (COVID-19): getting tested
Guidance on coronavirus testing, including who is eligible for a test and how to get tested – updated to add information on lateral flow tests for secondary school children and for people who work in a school.
Private providers of coronavirus testing
Lists of and information about approved suppliers of private testing kits for coronavirus (COVID-19) – location information added to the general testing providers list. Location not added to the test to release providers list.
COVID-19: letter to people identified as high risk – aged 19 to 69
Reference-only version of letter to people identified as high risk by COVID-19 population risk assessment model, aged 19 to 69.
Get a test for coronavirus (COVID-19) if you do not have symptoms
Find out how to get tested when you do not have symptoms.
Rapid lateral flow testing for households and bubbles of school pupils and staff
Find out who is eligible for twice-weekly testing and how to get tested if you do not have symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19). This is guidance for people without symptoms.
CONSTRUCTION:
D-day for VAT changes could spark cash flow problem
More than 150,000 construction companies are facing a 20% drop in cash flow now the VAT reverse charge scheme is active. The move means companies in the construction supply chain will no longer receive their 20% VAT payment when they submit bills. The VAT cash will instead be paid direct to HMRC by the customer receiving the service who will reclaim it in the normal way. The change has already been delayed twice and industry trade bodies have been lobbying hard for another respite and were hoping for a U-turn ahead of this week’s budget.
EDUCATION:
Attendance in education and early years settings during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
Attendance in education settings since Monday 23 March and early years settings since Thursday 16 April – added ‘Attendance in education and early years settings during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak: 23 March 2020 to 25 February 2021’.
Special schools and other specialist settings: coronavirus (COVID-19)
What all special schools and other specialist settings will need to do during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak – reformatted ‘Rapid asymptomatic testing in specialist settings’ guidance as a HTML document – the guidance has not changed.
Safe working in education, childcare and children’s social care
Preventing and controlling infection, including the use of PPE, in education, childcare and children’s social care settings during the coronavirus outbreak – updated to include changes to the system of controls in line with other guidance. Some formatting changes to headings have also been applied.
Remote and blended learning good practice: FE colleges
Find out about different approaches FE providers took to delivering remote and blended learning during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Higher education providers: coronavirus (COVID-19)
Information on the return of students for the spring term and HE operational guidance – updated ‘Higher education: operational guidance’ throughout.
HEALTH & WELLBEING:
Restricting workforce movement between care homes and other care settings
Guidance for care home providers on limiting staff movement between settings in all but exceptional circumstances to help reduce the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) infection.
Update on the Vaccine Taskforce: 1 March 2021
Responsibility for the Vaccine Taskforce is to move jointly to the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS).
COVID-19 vaccination: a guide for social care staff
Information for frontline social care workers on COVID-19 vaccination.
Personal protective equipment (PPE): local contacts for providers
A list of local contacts for providers who are not on the PPE portal. Providers can get PPE through their local authority or local resilience forum – added ‘extra-resident unpaid carers’ to the following local authorities on the list: East Riding of Yorkshire Council, Kingston upon Hull, North East Lincolnshire Council and St Helens.
NHS entitlements: migrant health guide
Advice and guidance for healthcare practitioners on the health needs of migrant patients – information added about GP access cards to support GP registration.
PPE deliveries (England): 22 February to 28 February 2021
Experimental statistics showing the latest number of personal protective equipment (PPE) items distributed for use by health and social care services in England.
HOSPITALITY:
Coronavirus: letter to food, drink and environmental service industries on workplace testing
Letter from the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural affairs to industries registered in England about free coronavirus tests for staff who cannot work from home.
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 – update for week commencing Monday 1 March 2021 published.
Medical devices given exceptional use authorisations during the COVID-19 pandemic
List of manufacturers and their medical devices which have been granted an exemption by the MHRA. The list also includes manufacturers whose exemption expired or was cancelled. This information will be listed for 2 months after expiry or cancellation.
LOCAL AUTHORITIES:
Laptops and tablets progress data as of 2 March 2021
Information about how many laptops and tablets that have been delivered or dispatched to local authorities and academy trusts.
COVID-secure election campaigning will go ahead
Individual activists will be able to campaign outdoors in a COVID-secure way from 8 March, ahead of the English local elections in May.
MINISTRY of DEFENCE:
COVID Support Force: the MOD’s continued contribution to the coronavirus response
Military personnel are supporting public services across the UK to assist with the response to COVID-19. This page has the latest information on the MOD’s activities.
PROPERTY:
‘Stamp Duty clarity must be Budget priority’ says agent
A leading agent says the worst thing that could happen with Wednesday’s Budget is if the Chancellor does not deliver on stamp duty holiday speculation. The Times last week quoted government sources saying that the current holiday, ending on March 31, would be extended to late June. Now Jeremy Leaf, the London estate agent and former RICS residential chairman, says: “It would be a shame if many buyers, who are in particular need of the saving, are unable to capitalise on it through little fault of their own, but for the backlog in searches, mortgage offers or building works.” Specifically Leaf wants the extension to be tapered so as to minimise fall throughs.
COVID-19 and renting: guidance for landlords, tenants and local authorities
Non-statutory guidance for landlords, tenants and local authorities in the private and social rented sectors in the context of Coronavirus (COVID-19) – updated to include link to guidance on the changes to the national lockdown rules from 8 March.
RETAIL:
Reopening High Streets Safely Fund guidance
Guidance to help local authorities and partners to deliver activities supported through the Reopening High Streets Safely Fund – version 3 of the guidance and version 7 of the FAQ added
TRAVEL:
Test to Release for international travel: minimum standards for testing
Sets out the minimum standards that private sector providers of COVID-19 testing for ‘Test to Release for international travel’ must meet – added ‘vaccination status’ to the list of data fields in section 6 (‘Reporting of coronavirus test results, as a notifiable disease’).
EU plans digital vaccine passports to boost travel
Brussels is to propose a personal electronic coronavirus vaccination certificate in an effort to boost travel around the EU once the bloc’s sluggish immunisation drive gathers pace. The plan, expected to be outlined this month, is a response to a push by Greece and some other EU member states to introduce EU “vaccination passports” to help revive the region’s devastated travel industry and wider economy.
Day 2 and day 8 testing for international arrivals: minimum standards for providers
Sets out the minimum standards that private sector providers must meet for the COVID-19 tests for people arriving in England – updated to reflect amendments to The Health Protection (Coronavirus, International Travel) Regulations 2020.
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