October 21st – Coronavirus News Updates

Latest UK data:

Positive tests: 762,542 have tested positive (+ 21,331 new cases)

Loss of life: *43,967 across all settings (+ 241 in last 24 hours)

Cases in Cheshire East: 4,795 confirmed since start of the pandemic, + 547 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 1.3-1.5 and the growth rate range is +4% to +7% per day as of 16 October 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 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.

Full list of local COVID alert levels by area
The areas in England listed as local COVID alert level high and local COVID alert level very high.

UK HEADLINES:

Greater Manchester has tier 3 restrictions imposed after talks fail
The Government has announced that Greater Manchester, including Stockport, will enter the Very High Tier 3 area at one minute past midnight on Thursday night affecting the 2.8 million residents of the city-region.

Talks ended at 2pm yesterday afternoon when the Government failed to agree to provide an additional £65m financial support package. The Government had offered £60m which Health Secretary Matt Hancock has said is still on the table.

Following the PM’s announcement, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham said:

I know this is going to be a difficult time for you. We took this stand for you. We will carry on fighting for you. We will carry on putting your health first. But health is more than the virus. We will support people’s health in the broadest possible sense. So tough days lay ahead. Please, everybody, observe the law at all times and follow the public health advice. Above all else, please look out for each other, as I know you will.”

South Yorkshire to move into tier 3 – Very High Risk area
Sheffield, Rotherham, Doncaster and Barnsley will come under the strictest level of restrictions and rules from 00:01 this Saturday. The Government has allocated a £41 million support package for local businesses and public health teams.
Local COVID alert level update for South Yorkshire

Tier 3 restrictions standardised as gyms stay open but soft play areas close
Liverpool City Region’s gyms will be able to reopen this week while soft play areas are to close after Number 10 agreed to standardise the tough Tier 3 lockdown rules. There had been anger across the region that gyms and leisure centres were forced to close as the region was placed into the highest tier of the government’s Covid alert system. Lancashire, which was also placed into the highest tier last week, was allowed to keep its gyms open, and Greater Manchester was yesterday afforded the same deal.

Heathrow opens up on-site testing to open up international travel
Heathrow reported this morning that from today it will be offering one-hour Covid tests to passengers as they check in. The tests, which will cost £80 per passenger, are part of the airport’s plans to ‘open up international travel’. They will be offered at Terminals 2 and 5 for trips to Hong Kong and Italy, and will be available for an initial run of four weeks with the potential for the service to be extended. This comes less than a week after aviation company British Airways announced that it will be moving more of its services to Heathrow from rival airport Gatwick. John Holland-Kaye, Heathrow’s chief executive, commented: “These facilities will make it easier for passengers going to those countries to get a test and have the potential to provide a service for arriving passengers.”
Read more at bdaily

Edinburgh Woollen Mill planning to close at least 50 stores
Edinburgh Woollen Mill (EWM) plans to close more than 50 stores, putting around 600 jobs at risk. The Carlisle-based group, which also includes high street brands Peacocks, Bonmarche and Jaeger, filed a notice to appoint administrators on October 9, putting up to 24,000 jobs in jeopardy. Bonmarche is not part of the proposed restructuring. The business said government-enforced national and local lockdowns, due to the coronavirus pandemic, were responsible for lower sales.

Space company takes to the skies alongside the NHS
The UK Space Agency has today backed a healthcare drone start-up founded by NHS staff, to help in the response to COVID-19

Self-declare as a private sector COVID-19 testing provider
How to declare that you meet the minimum standards for private sector-provided testing and be listed as a private sector coronavirus (COVID-19) testing provider.

LOCAL / REGIONAL NEWS & UPDATES:

Northern economy fighting back despite coronavirus restrictions
The North West economy is outperforming London and shows signs of growth despite the impact of Covid-19, new figures have shown s reported by the Lancashire Post.
Despite extensive restrictions imposed on large parts of Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Lancashire in recent weeks, the NatWest Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) demonstrated continued economic growth in the North West. Companies reported increases in new business for the third month running, and the North West PMI figure of 56.8 being significantly higher than 50; the breakeven point between growth and contraction. The performance has dropped however, from August’s figure at 57.2 after a high in July.

Let’s Turn This Around campaign launches to champion Covid-secure businesses in Cheshire
The campaign (set up by Cheshire and Warrington LEP, Cheshire East, Cheshire West and Chester, and Warrington Borough councils) gives local businesses the chance to share best practices, and local people can highlight businesses who are innovating in response to Covid restrictions.

North West companies profit warnings
During the first three quarters of 2020, listed companies across the North West issued 43 profit warnings, nearly three-quarters more than the same period last year (25), while the UK total hit an all-time high, according to the latest EY quarterly analysis of UK profit warnings. Year-on-year the number of profit warnings in the first nine months of 2020 from companies based in the North West increased by 72%. So far, in 2020, the majority of profit warnings from North West listed companies (84%) have been attributed to COVID-19.

Package of measures to support North West businesses with Export Growth
A package of measures, including additional funding, has been unveiled to support business in the North with international growth and their recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic. The government’s new Export Growth Plan includes 30 new International Trade Advisors (ITAs), who will provide direct support to small businesses in the Northern Powerhouse region, supplementing the existing support provided to businesses across the UK. A pilot Export Academy scheme has been introduced to support smaller businesses in the North to begin their exporting journey. The academy will undertake a series of activities designed to build the capabilities of smaller businesses, and create a new cohort of businesses ready to trade. In addition, a £16.5m Northern Powerhouse Internationalisation Fund will be made available to SMEs, with the aim of helping 3,300 small businesses in the Northern Powerhouse region grow their overseas trading and maximise their profits from 2020-2023.
Read more at Insider

Check if you’re eligible for the coronavirus Local Restrictions Support Grant
The Local Restrictions Support Grant (LRSG) supports businesses that have been required to close due to temporary COVID-19 local lockdown restrictions imposed by the government.

BUSINESS & FINANCE:

Ask a minister a question about coronavirus
Submit a question about coronavirus (COVID-19) to be put to a minister. If your question is chosen, the minister will answer it during an event broadcast to the public.

Private sector COVID-19 testing provider: self-declaration privacy notice
Privacy notice for private sector providers of coronavirus (COVID-19) testing who want to self-declare they meet minimum standards.

HMRC issue latest Employer BulletinHMRC’s Employer Bulletin (October 2020, Issue 86) includes all of the latest COVID-19 updates to help you continue to meet your payroll obligations to HMRC, including recent government announcements of additional support for businesses and employees. We’ve included the latest update on both the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and the Job Retention Bonus, the new Job Support Scheme, support for home working, updates on the UK Transition, and changes to Off-Payroll Working rules. To avoid delay, we recommend use of our online services should you need to contact or send us information.
Return to your claim for the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme
Use the online service to check the status of your payment, if you think the grant amount is too low or HMRC have asked you to update your details for your claim.

How different circumstances affect the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme
If you’re self-employed or member of a partnership find out how your circumstances can affect your eligibility for the scheme. The service is now closed for the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme. You can no longer make a claim for the second grant.

EDUCATION:

Attendance in education and early years settings during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak: 23 March to 15 October 2020
A summary of attendance in education settings since Monday 23 March and early years settings since Thursday 16 April 2020.

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 to 15 October 2020’.

HEALTH, CARE & WELLBEING:

MHRA guidance on coronavirus (COVID-19)
Guidance and information for industry, healthcare professionals and patients covering the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak – added ‘NIBSC selected by CEPI to test coronavirus vaccines globally’ to the News Stories collection

PPE portal: how to order COVID-19 personal protective equipment (PPE)
Eligible health and social care providers can order PPE through the portal to meet the increased need that has arisen as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic – added information on order limits for gowns for dentists and orthodontists.

PPE deliveries (England): 12 October to 18 October 2020
Experimental statistics showing the latest number of personal protective equipment (PPE) items distributed for use by health and social care services in England.

Expert partnership to explore and establish Human Challenge studies of COVID-19 in the UK
£33.6 million government investment will back the studies in partnership with Imperial College London, hVIVO and the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust.

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.

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.

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 – guidance on giving evidence as a witness updated.

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. Bristol Law Society and Chester

PROPERTY:

Over 700 agency branches fail to reopen after spring lockdown
Some 713 estate agency branches have failed to reopen following the spring lockdown according to a business consultancy. TwentyCi says that is the equivalent of a 3.5 per cent drop in the total number of High Street branches: it has no finer detail on the closures, so cannot be clear as to whether they are agencies closing completely or simply not operating – even in a restricted way – from branches. In the same report, the consultancy shows that online and hybrid agents are still failing to get above eight per cent market share, despite a recent spurt in customers.

Sales surge in properties £1m+ post lockdown
Sales of £1m-plus homes have surged since lockdown as affluent buyers seek more space and lifestyle changes. An average of 868 £1m-plus sales have been agreed each week since the beginning of June, which is some 66 per cent higher than the weekly average of 522 over the same period in 2019. The figures come in new research from Savills and property consultancy TwentyCi. Despite many spring market weeks being lost to the lockdown, when sales fell to just 69 in one week in mid-April, a total of 23,000 £1m-plus sales were agreed in the first three quarters of 2020 – that’s 16 per cent higher than in 2019.

Call for Government to initiate mortgage guarantee scheme and extension to stamp duty holiday
The National Association of Estate Agents wants the government to initiate a mortgage guarantee scheme to encourage more 95 per cent loans, as well as an extension to the current stamp duty holiday. In its submission to the government ahead of the Comprehensive Spending Review 2020, NAEA Propertymark makes a series of demands, based on recognising that more people now want larger homes and to take advantage of low interest rates, as they pursue moves in the light of the pandemic. Propertymark is calling for:
– A government-backed mortgage guarantee scheme which provides loans to borrowers of up to 95 per cent loan to value
– An extension to the stamp duty holiday, for at least another six months beyond its current March 2021 deadline.
– Empty Homes Community Grants reintroduced via a £200m Empty Homes Fund.

RETAIL:

Gaming and “geek” retailer to create 600 jobs with 100 new UK high street stores
A UK entertainment retailer has today announced plans to create 600 jobs and open 100 new stores across the country in the next two years. Geek Retreat, which is a comic bookstore, gaming cafe and events hub chain, will open 100 high street stores across the UK before the end of 2022. The company, which currently owns 14 venues, said that the expansion comes following the popularity of franchises such as Marvel and Stranger Things, and that the industry is predicted to grow by 3.1 per cent annually going forward.

TRAVEL:

Different restrictions may be coming for business and leisure travellers
Addressing delegates on Monday (19 October), Government Transport Minister Grant Shapps outlined plans for the UK’s “domestic test and release” strategy to shorten 14-day quarantine times with a Covid test carried out after a period of isolation. Asked about cutting the isolation period for business travellers, the transport secretary said it was dependent on an international agreement being reached to “harmonise” different approaches in different countries – revealing he was in discussions with the US Department for Homeland Security about trialling a transatlantic system.

Useful Links:

Become a Green Homes Grant Supplier II – Trustmark and PAS 2030The new Green Homes Grant will give over 600,000 homeowners in England up to £10,000 to install insulation, heat pumps, draft proofing and more to help households cut energy bills.

Self-Employment Income Support Scheme grant extension
The grant is being extended from 1 November 2020. Find out if you’re eligible and how much you can get.

Hospitality venues in England are now legally required to enforce the rule of 6 or face a fine of up to £4,000.
Designated businesses and organisations, including hospitality, close contact services and leisure venues, will also be legally required to log details of customers, visitors and staff for NHS Test and Trace and required to display official NHS QR code posters under law

NHS Test and Trace service in the workplace
Guidance on the NHS Test and Trace service for employers, businesses and workers updated to reflect the new legal requirements for designated venues to collect contact details and display official NHS QR code posters from 24^th September

Claim money back through the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme
Find out how to claim the reimbursement for discounts given to diners with the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme. The Eat Out to Help Out Scheme closed on 31 August 2020 – the page updated with removal of registration links.

Kickstart Scheme
The Kickstart Scheme provides funding to employers to create job placements for 16 to 24 year olds.

Kickstart Scheme employer resources
If you’ve been offered Kickstart Scheme funding, you can use these resources to show your support for the scheme.

Kickstart Scheme employer contacts
List of regional contacts for employers applying for a grant through the Kickstart Scheme.

Coronavirus outbreak FAQs: what you can and can’t do
Frequently asked questions on what you can and can’t do during the coronavirus outbreak – guidance updated in line with new regulations coming into force on 4 July

Business Survey:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dcms-coronavirus-impact-business-survey/dcms-business-survey-headline-measures

Apply for the coronavirus Future Fund
The Future Fund will provide UK Government loans to UK-based companies ranging from £125,000 to £5 million, subject to at least equal match funding from private investors.

Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme set to launch
Employers will be able to make claims through the Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme from 26 May.

Government – Guidance on Returning to Work safely
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19

Government – Setting out of Road Map to recovery – 11^th 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:

Prolific North are publishing daily updates on their blog as to how Covid-19 is impacting on the marketing, media and technology industries

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.