Latest UK data:
Positive tests: 561,815 have tested positive (+ 17,540 new cases)
Loss of life: *42,592 across all settings (+ 77 in last 24 hours)
Cases in Cheshire East: 3,655 confirmed since start of the pandemic, + 495 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.-1.6 and the growth rate range is +5% to +9% per day as of 2 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
UK HEADLINES:
Coronavirus enforcement boosted with £60 million surge funding
Police to be more visible to ensure public is complying with restrictions, while councils will get funding and guidance to support compliance and enforcement. Police forces and local councils will receive an additional £60 million to step up their enforcement of coronavirus rules as part of the government’s plans to tackle the rise in infections. The surge funding, recently announced by the Prime Minister, will enable police to increase patrols in town centres and ensure that people are complying with the new restrictions, particularly in high-risk areas. Police will also provide more support to local authorities and NHS Test & Trace to enforce self-isolation requirements. Local councils will use the funding to increase their compliance work and enforcement checks on businesses. Local councils play a central role in ensuring compliance with COVID-19 guidance in their local communities. Enforcement officers such as Environmental Health Officers are responsible for explaining and encouraging businesses and communities to follow the latest guidelines, carrying out inspections, issuing fines and closing premises in the case of non-compliance.
Boost for regional economies as LEP Network pitches £30bn ‘Recovery and Rebuild Deal’ to government
A multi-billion pound strategy to support economic recovery across the country has been put forward to the government. The Local Enterprise Partnership Network (LEP Network) is proposing a £30bn ‘Recovery and Rebuild Deal’ with the government to support economic recovery across its regions. Outlined in the LEP Network’s submission to the Chancellor’s Comprehensive Spending Review, the deal is part of a business-led local recovery plan.
UK Airline records first loss in its history calls for Government to ‘step up its support’
easyJet reported this morning that it expects to report a group headline loss before tax of between £815m to £845m for 2020. An additional £440m loss is predicted for non-headline items, including the company’s restructuring programme – which sees it cut 30 per cent of its workforce. Johan Lundgren, CEO of easyJet, said: “Aviation continues to face the most severe threat in its history and the UK Government urgently needs to step up with a bespoke package of measures to ensure airlines are able to support economic recovery when it comes. easyJet came into this crisis in a very strong position thanks to its strong balance sheet and consistent profitability. This year will be the first time in its history that easyJet has ever made a full year loss.”
Tighter restrictions likely in parts of England next week
With coronavirus cases continuing to rise – the last daily count revealed more than 14,000 new positive tests across the UK – additional restrictions are likely to be imposed in the worst affected parts of England early next week. These could include a ban on overnight stays away from home and the closure of pubs and restaurants
BBC: Fear for Scottish hospitality industry as 16-day closure enforced
There are warnings the latest measures imposed in Scotland – including the closure of pubs and restaurants in central areas for 16 days from 18:00 BST on Friday could be catastrophic for the industry. The Scottish government says businesses will get an additional £40m in support.
Covid deaths three times higher than flu and pneumonia
Between January and August there were 48,168 deaths due to Covid-19 compared with 13,500 from pneumonia and only 394 due to flu – although numbers would be expected to be higher across the ‘flu season’ of the autumn / winter months into 2021. Deaths from flu have been particularly low this year.
The highest number of deaths from flu and pneumonia occurred in January, during winter, when there is usually lots of flu around.
Deaths due to COVID-19 compared with deaths from influenza and pneumonia
Analysis of the characteristics of people who died from the coronavirus (COVID-19), compared with people who died from influenza (flu) and pneumonia. Includes analysis of COVID-19, flu, and pneumonia deaths by date of death occurrence, and breakdowns by demographic characteristics such as sex and age.
Online businesses winners in the pandemic battle:
Tesco profits rocket by nearly 30 per cent as online deliveries double
National supermarket chain Tesco has announced that its profits for the first half of the year have risen by more than a quarter. The supermarket saw profit before tax in the period jump by 28.7 per cent compared to the same period last year, rising from £428m to £551m. It said that this could be partially attributed to its online delivery service, which has more than doubled since the beginning of the pandemic.
Online retail giant breaks £2billion turnover
Online retail giant The Very Group has smashed the £2bn turnover barrier, and returned to profit. The former Littlewoods brand, based in Speke, South Liverpool, revealed annual results to June 30, today showing a 10.5% increase in retail sales to £1.23bn, driving group revenue growth of 2.9% to £2.051bn. Pre-tax profits were £48m, compared with a pre-tax loss of £185.5m last year, and underlying EBITDA was £264m, each including COVID-19-related costs.
LOCAL / REGIONAL NEWS & UPDATES:
Manchester Airports Group take steps to cut nearly 900 jobs
In news that will affect hundreds of jobs in the North West and particularly in South Manchester and Cheshire, MAG has announced that 465 jobs at Manchester Airport are at risk, as well as 376 roles at the group’s London Stansted Airport and a further 51 at its East Midlands operations. It blamed a fall in passenger confidence in the travel industry due to a recent spike in coronavirus figures, “an absence of support for the sector” and a lack of testing for UK passengers.
First increase in job placements at Northern companies since February, KPMG and REC report shows
Placements rose for the first time in seven months, with recruitment firms saying companies were more prepared to hire following the reopening of the economy after the effects of the Covid pandemic.
Stockport Jobs Match launch campaign for Christmas & Seasonal Temp Work
Stockport Jobs Match, an online recruitment portal to match job seekers with vacancies set up by Stockport Council in response to Covid-19 job losses, is launching a campaign to fulfil a surge in demand to fill vacancies in the borough in the run-up to Christmas, with positions available in retail, distribution and hospitality, among others.
ARMED FORCES / MILITARY:
Number of COVID-19 tests in defence and positive cases in the UK Armed Forces 2020
A summary statistics on the number of defence personnel who have had a COVID-19 test; and for the UK Armed Forces, the number of positive cases of COVID-19.
BUSINESS & FINANCE:
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.
Check if you can claim a grant through the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme
If you’re self-employed or a member of a partnership and have been adversely affected by coronavirus (COVID-19) find out if you can use this scheme to claim a grant.
Coronavirus and the latest indicators for the UK economy and society: 8 October 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.
Coronavirus and the economic impacts on the UK: 8 October 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.
Coronavirus and the non-UK workforce
Estimates of the numbers and characteristics of those non-UK employees who could be considered as potential “key workers” in the response to the coronavirus (COVID-19).
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.
HMRC: Reminder and webinar updates to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
The scheme closes on 31?? October and you will need to make any final claims on or before 3?0 November. Make sure you have the latest information by joining the live webinar: Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme: Register here
Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme – Register here
Working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19)
Find out how to make your workplace COVID-secure.
COMMUNITY:
COVID-19: Guidance for small marriages and civil partnerships
Guidance for people planning to get married or form a civil partnership in England – updated guidance on wedding and civil partnership receptions and celebrations. Changes cover the rules on face coverings, distance between tables, singing in groups of more than 6, dancing, music volume and enforcement.
COVID-19: guidance for the safe use of places of worship and special religious services and gatherings during the pandemic
Guidance to enable the safe reopening of places of worship for a broader range of activities and includes a checklist for special religious services and gatherings – updated guidance to incorporate changes in regulations, as they affect places of worship, announced by the Prime Minister on 22 September 2020.
Coronavirus (COVID-19): Meeting with others safely (social distancing)
When seeing friends and family you do not live with you should meet in groups of 6 or less. In England, this limit of 6 includes children of any age.
CONSTRUCTION:
Tool and equipment hirer to close 134 of 240 branchesHirer HSS is closing 134 branches with the loss of 300 jobs as the Covid-19 pandemic has accelerated its strategic shift to more online trading.
The company is now in redundancy consultations with affected staff. Latest results announced today for the first half of 2020 show HSS made a pre-tax loss of £12.9m compared to a £7.9m loss in the same period last year. Turnover fell to £125.8m from £161.4m but revenues picked-up to 90% of 2019’s levels in September. HSS shut its branch network at the start of lockdown and will now permanently close 134 of its 240 sites.
EDUCATION:
Coronavirus (COVID-19): test kits for schools and FE providers
Guidance for schools and further education (FE) providers on the initial supply of coronavirus (COVID-19) home testing kits for pupils, teachers and staff – updated to provide further information on the distribution of test kits for symptomatic staff and how schools and FE providers can look up their unique organisation number (if they have not received it).
Early years foundation stage statutory framework (EYFS)
The standards that school and childcare providers must meet for the learning, development and care of children from birth to 5 – updated ‘early years foundation stage: coronavirus dis-applications’ to reflect that the original dis-applications ended on 25 September and the new regulations which came into force on the 26 September.
HEALTH, CARE & WELLBEING:
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 reflect the new breakdown on cases and contacts reached by phone or online.
NHS Test and Trace (England) and coronavirus testing (UK) statistics: 24 September to 30 September 2020
Experimental statistics for weeks 1 to 18 of NHS Test and Trace contact tracing in England and coronavirus testing (UK).
NHS Test and Trace: how it works
An overview of NHS Test and Trace, including what happens if you test positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) or have had close contact with someone who has tested positive – updated to reflect that the requirement to self-isolate if you test positive or are contacted by NHS Test and Trace and asked to self-isolate has changed from guidance to law.
COVID-19: how to work safely in domiciliary care in England
A resource for those working in domiciliary care providing information on the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) – added notification that the use of gloves is being reviewed and will be updated shortly.
COVID-19: reducing transmission – what you can do to help
Advice on how you can help reduce the transmission of coronavirus (COVID-19).
JUDICIARY:
HMCTS weekly management information during coronavirus outbreak
The management information used by HMCTS for understanding the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak on workload volumes and activity at a national level on a weekly basis. HMCTS weekly management information during coronavirus – March to September 2020 added.
LOCAL AUTHORITY:
COVID-19: Local authority compliance and enforcement grant
Information and guidance on the £30 million grant to local authorities for compliance and enforcement activities.
PROPERTY:
Buy-to-let market buoyant as bidders push auction bidders to new heights
Savills latest remote auction in 2020 saw£40m raised with 90 lots sold bringing the total value of property sold in 2020 to £195m. This is over 30 per cent higher than the same period in 2019, in contrast to a fall in the residential market as a whole. The latest sale saw strong success across all price ranges but the average sold price was almost £450,000 indicating a higher price-band than at most resi auctions.
House price inflation at four-year high amid concerns over virus
House prices in September were 7.3 per cent higher than a year earlier – the highest house price inflation since June 2016. The Halifax figures show that on a monthly basis, house prices in September were 1.6 per cent higher than in August. And over the third quarter of the year, house prices were 3.3 per cent higher than in the preceding three months. The Halifax says that it appears unlikely the housing market will continue to appear immune to the effects of the pandemic: “As employment support measures are gradually scaled back beyond the end of October, the spectre of increased unemployment over the winter will come into sharper relief”
Homebuyers looking to rural and coastal locations
A lockdown urge to look for property near the coast or in the country has turned into a trend, as more people look to escape more densely populated locations, according to property website Rightmove. Searches have doubled for homes in villages and towns with populations less than 11,000, it says, while seaside resorts have seen the biggest jump in sales.
TRANSPORT:
Changes to DfT statistics publications due to coronavirus (COVID-19)
Effects of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on Department for Transport statistics.
TRAVEL:
National Travel Attitudes Study: Wave 4 (provisional)
Public attitudes on travel and transport during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Government aiming to cut 14-day quarantine with testing
A new Global Travel Taskforce, spanning the Department for Transport (DfT and Department of Health (DoH), has been tasked with “working with industry on how to safely reduce self-isolation period with testing”. The taskforce will also consider other measures to support the travel sector, including development of a global framework to make travelling easier. In a joint statement, the DfT and DoH said both departments had been “working extensively with clinicians, health experts and the private testing sector” on the practicalities of testing international arrivals. “The next step is to develop an operationalised approach,” they said on Wednesday (7 October), pledging “to work at pace with industry on implementation” and “to identify options to reduce the self-isolation period while protecting public health”.
Taskforce for safe return to global travel launched
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.
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.
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 24th 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 – 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.