September 4th – Coronavirus News Updates

Latest UK data:

Positive tests: 340,411 have tested positive + daily 1,735 new cases

Loss of life: 41,527 across all settings + 13

Cases in Cheshire East: 2,417 confirmed since start of the pandemic, + 40 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 0.9-1.1 and the growth rate range is -3% to +1% per day as of 21 August 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 has been reviewed and updated using a measure based on a 28-day limit between the date of a positive lab-confirmed test and date of death.

NHS Test and Trace (England) and coronavirus testing (UK) statistics: 6 August to 12 August 2020
Experimental statistics for weeks 1 to 11 of NHS Test and Trace contact tracing in England and coronavirus testing (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.

UK HEADLINES:

A national bar and restaurant chain has reported that a government scheme has helped to increase its sales by nearly 20 per cent.
Revolution Bars Group, which operates Revolution and Revolucion de Cuba venues across the UK, saw a 17.5 per cent increase in sales during the four weeks that the government’s ‘Eat Out To Help Out’ (EOTHO) scheme was running. Since resuming trading in July, the group reached comparable venue sales that were 72.5 per cent of last year, with sales at 60 per cent throughout July, and 77.5 per cent in August.

Amazon to create additional 7,000 UK jobs
Amazon has said it is creating a further 7,000 new permanent roles across the UK in 2020. The online retailer, which has already added 3,000 new permanent roles to its workforce across its UK network this year, said the additional jobs would make its UK workforce 40,000 strong. The new roles will help Amazon meet growing customer demand and enable small and medium sized enterprises selling on the platform to scale their businesses. Amazon is also creating more than 20,000 seasonal positions across the UK ahead of the festive period at its sites across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and at three pop-up fulfilment centres.

Co-op to create 1,000 new jobs after rise in local shopping
Manchester-based Co-operative Group said it will create 1,000 jobs through new store openings and extending and refurbishing existing stores. The move follows an uptick in consumers shopping more locally during the coronavirus pandemic lockdown. In a £130m investment by the convenience stores division, 65 stores will be opened or extended 65 stores, while 100 sites will be refurbished. See below

Local high streets being ‘rediscovered’ after COVID-19 lockdown

A major new research study of 154 towns shows that district centres saw a smaller fall in visitors compared to cities, as high streets continue to evolve from retail focus to ‘multifunctional’ hubs. New research indicates that town centres in England are evolving, with retail no longer the dominant attraction for visitors to the high street, and that COVID-19 has led many people to rediscover their local neighbourhoods.
The rise of ‘multifunctional’ towns – The High Streets Task Force analysed footfall from 154 towns and found that 44% provide a wide range of different services to their communities and can be classified as ‘multifunctional’. This type of town has increased by 8% in the last year (Jul 19 – Jun 20) and compares to just 19% of town centres that focus predominantly on ‘comparison retail’ to attract visitors.

Experts at the Task Force, commissioned by Government in 2019 to support the transformation of England’s high streets, say multifunctional towns and districts that serve their local area have fared better during the COVID-19 crisis. From March 1 to June 30 2020, footfall in smaller district centres fell by 34.5%, compared to a drop of 75.9% in larger cities over the same period. Read the full report

22,000 jobs to be created as HS2 gets on track
Work has officially started on the HS2 rail project today (September 4) which is expected to create 22,000 jobs. The high-speed rail project, which will initially link London, Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds, has begun construction after government approval was granted in April. HS2 is expected to deliver around 22,000 jobs over the coming years, with opportunities confirmed in Warwickshire, Greater London, Birmingham and West Midlands through contractors or direct with HS2 Ltd.

BBC: Coronavirus testing rationed amid outbreaks
The government says areas with fewer coronavirus cases have had their testing capacity reduced in order to cope with outbreaks elsewhere. One testing specialist describes it as a “pragmatic move” to focus resources where they are most needed. However, others warn it could put people off getting tested, or may mean a spike in infections in an area with low rates is missed – a particular concern with people returning from holiday and children back at school.

£500 million funding for quick result COVID-19 test trials
A new £500 million funding package will be invested in next generation testing technology and increased testing capacity.

Coronavirus and the latest indicators for the UK economy and society: 3 September 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.

LOCAL / REGIONAL NEWS & UPDATES:

Safe online mental health support for children and young people
Children and young people in Cheshire now have access to free, safe online mental health and wellbeing support in response to Coronavirus (Covid-19). Online mental health and wellbeing service Kooth, delivered by XenZone, has been commissioned by NHS Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) in direct response to the coronavirus pandemic. Kooth is accessible to all 11 to 18-year-olds across the county, with no referrals, waiting lists or thresholds to meet.

Challenge ahead for North West as growth expected to contract
The continuing impact of the Covid-19 pandemic is expected to see economic growth across the North West contract further than previously thought, according to new data. Concerns have also been raised that the next six months could prove to be the ‘greatest challenge’. KPMG UK’s latest quarterly Economic Outlook has reassessed how the landscape could look at the end of the year, having previously predicted a 7.6 per cent dip in June. This has now been downgraded to a 9.4 per cent contraction. However, growth in the North West could pick up to 8.2 per cent next year if a vaccine is rolled out by April, with the economy reaching pre-Covid levels by early 2023.

North West transport: Early indications from September’s first rush hours are that trains, buses and city centres are getting busier
Transport and business organisations from across the North West have revealed whether Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s claim that people are returning in “huge numbers to the office” is starting to come true.

The Government made the claim amid its drive to stop people working from home – before saying it could not yet provide data to back up the assertion. However, be it through pupils returning to school this week or indeed commuters coming back to offices, North West transport leaders say they have noticed an increase in passenger numbers in the first few rush hours of September.

Sacha Lord: Three in five firms in the night-time economy face closure
Greater Manchester’s night time economy advisor is warning that without urgent further support, nearly three in five businesses in the sector could go out of business by the end of the year. He said the “eleventh hour” is approaching for the sector, with rent holidays, grant schemes and furlough coming to an end. According to the Night Time Industries Association, 57% of businesses in the sector will not survive “longer than two months” without further government support, and 73% of night-time operators will be making more than half their workforce redundant from September. “For some, August has been strong with the Eat Out To Help Out scheme, but my fear is for those in the wider night time economy who haven’t benefited. Not only the wet-led bars and pubs who weren’t included in the offer, but the night clubs, live music venues and theatres which are still closed.”

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 – updated with more detailed information on affected local areas and following decision that Bolton and Trafford will not have restrictions lifted from 2 September.

COMMUNITY:

Meeting people from outside your household
How you can see people that you do not live with while protecting yourself and others from coronavirus (COVID-19) – added information on fines for participating in or holding an illegal gathering of over 30 people.

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 – added guidance on face coverings

Supporting people outside of their home
For people who need support when outside their home and people who provide this support during coronavirus (COVID-19).

CONSTRUCTION:

Thousands of construction workers to take part in industry safety stand down
Companies including BAM Nuttall, Barhale, Dyer & Butler, Galliford Try, HS2 Ltd, Jones Bros, Skanska Infrastructure and Story Contracting will take part in the Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA) organised event.

Stop. Make a Change runs from 10 October until 23 October and will have a special focus on cancer and mental health this year as work is temporarily stopped to consider safety issues. CECA Chief Executive Alasdair Reisner said: “Last year, more than 200,000 people took part in Stop. Make a Change, and given the nation’s experience of the Covid-19 pandemic, there has never been a better time to re-engage with our personal health, safety, and wellbeing. “CECA is proud to support this important initiative, which will drive positive change, encourage conversation, and enable industry to work together to make sure we address the key health, safety and wellbeing risks our industry faces.” Register your interest HERE

DIGITAL & IT

Covid-19 accelerates digital transformation in business and education
The Times Newspaper and Digital Leaders have teamed up to publish a special report on Digital Transformation. The report explores the key trends for digital transformation in 2020, acknowledging that 97 per cent of business decision-makers say that the COVID-19 pandemic has sped up digital transformation at their company. It delves into how coronavirus has accelerated transformation in business but also in education, the growing importance of digital skills, and the key elements for a successful digital evolution.

EDUCATION:

Coronavirus (COVID-19): initial teacher training (ITT)
Information for providers about managing initial teacher training courses impacted by the coronavirus (COVID-19) – updated the C1.2 degree entry requirements and the 120 days in schools and early years ITT sections.

Education plans from September 2020
Guidance for education providers about Ofsted’s phased return to inspection – added links to guidance on interim activity for state-funded schools, independent schools and further education and skills providers.

Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance for boarding schools with international students
Guidance for residential educational settings with international students under the age of 18 entering and travelling to the UK.

Letter from PHE and NHS Test and Trace to school and college leaders
The Medical Director of Public Health England and Chief Medical Adviser of NHS Test and Trace have written to school and college leaders.

EMPLOYERS / BUSINESS / FINANCE:

Platform for Redesign 2020: opening address
Opening address by Alok Sharma, COP26 President and Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, at the Online Platform on Sustainable and Resilient Recovery from COVID-19, hosted by the Japanese Government.

Working safely during COVID-19: enforcement agents (bailiffs)
COVID-19 secure guidance for enforcement agents (also known as bailiffs) using the Taking Control of Goods process.

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. The YouTube video for Self-Employment Income Support Scheme – Universal Credit and Child Benefit has been updated.

HMRC Webinars:

Extension to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and flexible furloughing
HMRC provide an overview of the scheme, including flexible furloughing, examples of how to work out the amount you can claim and the changes for September and October. They also share information on the Job Retention Bonus, including how to check if you’re eligible. Choose a date and time

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme:
– more dates have now been added. Get the latest information on:

who can claim
who you can claim for
how to make a claim
what you may be entitled to, and more.

Choose a date and timeYou can ask questions during all our live webinars using the on-screen text box.
HMRC webinars are constantly updated to provide the latest government guidance on changes as they develop.

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.

Self-Employment Income Support Scheme statistics: August 2020
The number of individuals claiming the SEISS grant up to 31 July 2020 by age, gender, industry sector and geography.

The Kickstart Scheme:

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.

Check if you can apply for a grant as a representative of a group of employers through the Kickstart Scheme
If you are considering becoming a representative for a group of employers, check what information you need to provide to apply for a grant through the Kickstart Scheme.

Check if you can apply for a grant through the Kickstart Scheme
If you are an employer looking to create job placements for young people, check if you can apply for funding as part of the Kickstart Scheme.

Apply for a grant through the Kickstart Scheme
If you are an employer looking to create jobs placements for young people, apply for funding as part of the Kickstart Scheme.

Kickstart Scheme: promotional materials
Use these materials to promote the Kickstart Scheme to employers and potential job placement participants.

HEALTH CARE & WELLBEING:

East Cheshire NHS Trust secures £2.2 million investment boost
East Cheshire NHS Trust has received £2.2 million to allow the trust to improve patient flow at Macclesfield District General Hospital. The investment will be used to open a new same-day care emergency care unit, independent of the existing emergency department, for those referred by GPs or NHS 111 for urgent care.

Coronavirus (COVID-19): providing home care
Information for those providing personal care to people living in their own home during the coronavirus outbreak – added a new section on how home care providers can support the NHS Test and Trace service. Updated links to hospital discharge service guidance.

Coronavirus (COVID-19): admission and care of people in care homes
How to protect care home residents and staff during the coronavirus outbreak – added a new section on how care homes can support the NHS Test and Trace service.

COVID-19: background information
Information on COVID-19 including epidemiology, virology and clinical features – updated global case numbers.

PHE data series on deaths in people with COVID-19: technical summary
A summary of the PHE data series on deaths in people with COVID-19, outlining what the changes mean and how the data compare to other COVID-19 death data series.

Demographic data for coronavirus testing (England): 28 May to 26 August
Information on testing for coronavirus (COVID-19) by different demographic groups under NHS Test and Trace.

NHS Test and Trace (England) and coronavirus testing (UK) statistics: 20 August to 26 August 2020
Experimental statistics for weeks 1 to 13 of NHS Test and Trace contact tracing in England and coronavirus testing (UK).

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 detail about coronavirus (COVID-19) testing in the UK.

HOSPITALITY / LEISURE:

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.

COVID-19: guidance for food businesses
Advice for food businesses in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak in the UK.

Eat Out to Help Out Scheme – claims by parliamentary constituency
Management information that shows data on the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme broken down by country, region and parliamentary constituency.

HMRC coronavirus (COVID-19) statistics
HMRC data about the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme, and the VAT payments deferral scheme – published updated weekly data (up to end of Monday 31 August) for the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme, and added a link to the publication ‘Eat Out to Help Out Scheme – claims by parliamentary constituency’.

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.

LOCAL AUTHORITY:

OPSS coronavirus (COVID-19) guidance for business and local authorities
Guidance on how OPSS – Office for Product Safety and Standards – is supporting businesses and local authorities and protecting consumers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Version 4 of the guidance for businesses on the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Regulations, version 6 of the guidance for new high-volume manufacturers of PPE and version 3 of the guidance for businesses and individuals on the small-scale manufacture of PPE published, amended to take account of the new guidance on Recommendation 2020/403 issued by the European Commission. The main changes set out the role of the market surveillance authority in approving COVID-19 related PPE before it can be placed on the UK market, and clarify that non CE marked PPE cannot be placed on the EU market.

PROPERTY:

Leading agent: Record house prices likely to go higher still
Record house prices recorded this week by the Nationwide index are set to go higher still according to a leading agent. Nationwide says rose two per cent month-on-month in August after taking account of seasonal factors. This means the average UK house price rose to £224,123, up from £220,935 in July.
“The Nationwide data continues the trend noticed in July with the property market emerging strongly from lockdown. In fact, property prices accelerated in August – they began to take into account not only pent-up demand but the stamp duty holiday announced in July” explains former RICS residential chairman and London agency owner Jeremy Leaf.

How has Covid-19 hit the rental market?
ARLA Propertymark is holding a webinar later this month to discuss the impact of Coronavirus on the private rental sector. It will be led by Neil Cobbold – the high profile UK chief sales officer at PropTech company PayProp – who will look at data from the past six months to draw lessons on the pandemic’s effect on renters and the industry. In the event at 10am on September 17 he will also share advice on how his company is preparing clients for the ‘new normal’.

BBC: Mortgage deals plummet as lenders play safe
Just 24 hours after a report declaring house prices to be at an all-time high – see article above – analysis shows the number of low-deposit mortgages available to borrowers has plummeted. Financial information company Moneyfacts says just 60 deals are available to borrowers with a 10% deposit, compared with 779 in March, as lenders get stricter amid fears of defaults. Some are refusing to consider applications from people on furlough, or without a return-to-work date, while there is greater scrutiny on the finances of the self-employed.

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:

Coronavirus (COVID-19): jobs that qualify for travel exemptions
Jobs that qualify for exemptions from self-isolation or passenger locator form requirements – update to exemption for seafarers.

No changes to travel corridor list
In England, there are no changes to the Government’s travel corridor list but people should check latest government advice before travelling. Residents of Wales and Scotland have seen quarantines introduced for travellers returning from Greece, Portugal and French Polynesia, including on arrival via English airports.

Useful 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.