Wednesday 19th January – Coronavirus News Updates

UK STATISTICS

There have been more than 15 million confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK and more than 152,000 people have died, government figures show. Over 52 million people have now received a first dose of the vaccine, 91% of people in the UK aged 12 and over. 83% have had their second and nearly 64% have had a booster.

Total UK Cases: 15,399,300 positive tests
Latest UK daily figure: 94,432 new cases
Number in UK hospital: 19,450
New deaths across UK: 438
Total UK deaths: 152,513
England Cases per 100,000: 1,695
R number in UK: 1.1 – 1.5

Vaccine data:

Total 1^st doses given: 52,133,611 – 90.7% of UK aged 12+
Total 2^nd doses: 83%
Daily 1^st doses: 15,748
Daily 2nd doses: 26,502
Daily Booster doses: 73,267

The R value and growth rate
The latest reproduction number (R) and growth rate of coronavirus (COVID-19).
The R range for England is 1.1 to 1.5 the growth rate range for England is +3% to +6% per day as of 14 January 2022.

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.

Latest Cheshire East data:

Total Cheshire East cases: 88,887
New cases in past 7 days: 4,131 to 13 Jan
Total deaths: 952
Cases per 100,000: 1,068

UK NEWS UPDATES:

GDP exceeds pre-pandemic level
UK GDP figures showed a better than expected improvement in November, prior to the Omicron variant hitting the economy. The latest figures showed growth of 0.9%, which was better than the 0.4% expected. It means GDP exceeded its pre-pandemic level for the first time. But there are fears that the December figures could prove a dampener, due to a rise in pre-Christmas spending in November, and the impact of the new coronavirus variant on businesses.

Self-isolation for those with COVID-19 can end after five full days following two negative LFD tests
From today, 17 January, people with COVID-19 in England can end their self-isolation after five full days, as long as they test negative on day 5 and day 6. The first test must be taken no earlier than day 5 of the self-isolation period, and the second must be taken the following day. If an individual is positive on day 5, then a negative test is required on day 6 and day 7 to release from isolation. It is essential that 2 negative rapid lateral flow tests are taken on consecutive days and reported before individuals return to their job or education, if leaving self-isolation earlier than the full 10-day period. For instance, if an individual is positive on day 5, then a negative test is required on both day 6 and day 7 to release from self-isolation, or positive on day 6, then a negative test is required on days 7 and 8, and so on until the end of day 10.

Aldi gives £1.6bn boosts to British Suppliers since start of pandemic
Aldi has invested an extra £1.6bn with British suppliers since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. The figure includes £125m more spent with British meat, poultry and dairy farmers, as the supermarket sourced 100 per cent of its core range of fresh meat, eggs, butter, milk and cream from British suppliers. Aldi has also reaffirmed its commitment to prioritise home-grown suppliers as it works towards its target to spend an additional £3.5bn a year with British businesses by the end of 2025.

Morrisons cuts sick pay for unvaccinated
Supermarket Morrisons has confirmed it has cut sick pay for unvaccinated workers who are forced to isolate after being exposed to Covid.

It follows similar moves from big retailers including Ikea, Next and Ocado as staff absences rise. Unjabbed Morrisons workers who are told to isolate but test negative now get statutory sick pay of £96.35 a week. Covid-positive staff get full sick pay regardless of vaccination status. The firm pays staff at least £10 per hour.

REGIONAL & LOCAL NEWS:

Deepened North-South divide highlighted in State of the North report
Despite government promises of ‘levellling up’, report authors IPPR found regional divides had deepened and the UK has become more centralised.

Investor plans to build on successful 2021 of North-west deals
In 2021, BGF invested £70 million in businesses in the region, and successfully exited from a record number of organisations, including Alderley Park-based CurrentBody.

SECTOR SPECIFIC CORONAVIRUS-RELATED NEWS:

BUSINESS:

Coronavirus: how to stay safe and help prevent the spread
Find out how to stay safe and help prevent the spread of coronavirus.
‘Get tested and self-isolate if required’ updated to reflect new testing and isolation rules. Working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19)
Find out how to reduce the risk of COVID-19 spreading in your workplace.

NHS Test and Trace in the workplace
What to do if you or someone you employ is required to self-isolate. This includes being contacted by NHS Test and Trace, self-isolation rules and financial support.

CARE:

Coronavirus (COVID-19) testing for adult social care settings
Outlines the COVID-19 testing available for testing staff, residents and visitors for all adult social care settings – added information about giving feedback about your test kit or reporting harm.

COMMUNITY:

Finding and choosing a private coronavirus (COVID-19) test provider
Lists of and information about private test providers, to help you get the private COVID-19 tests you need – updated the general list of providers.

NHS Test and Trace: what to do if you are contacted
Updated to reflect changes to the self-isolation advice for people who have received a positive COVID-19 test result and information for contacts who are not required to self-isolate.

COVID-19 vaccination observation period
Information on the observation period following COVID-19 vaccination – added links to translated versions of leaflet.

COVID-19: estimated administrative vaccine uptake for people aged 18 and over
Daily percentage of the UK population aged 18 and over who have received a first dose, second dose, or third or booster dose to date.

Moving home during coronavirus (COVID-19)
Guidance for those working within the home buying and selling process and those moving home – updated rules on ending self isolation period.

DVLA Coronavirus (COVID-19) update
Find out the date of applications we are processing and how to access our online services.

DIGITAL:

Report reveals impact of efforts to tackle digital exclusion in Greater Manchester
A new report, published by GMCA and Virgin Media Business, has highlighted the positive effects of ongoing efforts and investment to tackle digital exclusion in Greater Manchester. The ‘Tackling digital inequality in Greater Manchester’ report highlighted the social value impact of Virgin Media Business’ investment after partnering with the city-region on the 2020 rollout of the UK’s largest Local Full Fibre Networks Programme (LFFN) across Greater Manchester. The programme, which supported the wider Digital Blueprint for the city-region, included commitments by Virgin to create apprenticeship positions locally to complete the work, as well as supporting digital and STEM skills initiatives more widely.

EDUCATION:

Coronavirus (COVID-19) 2021 qualifications fund for schools and colleges
How to submit a claim for eligible costs related to the qualifications fund for the period October 2021 to March 2022 – updated the VTQ and FSQ qualifications spreadsheet to the latest version.

HEALTHCARE & WELLBEING:

COVID-19 vaccination: booster dose resources
Information on the booster dose for eligible individuals – added COVID-19 vaccination: a guide to booster vaccination for individuals aged 16 years and over and those aged 12 years and over who are at risk.

COVID-19 vaccination programme
Documents relating to the new coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination programme – added COVID-19 vaccination: resources for children aged 5 to 11 years.

Deaths registered weekly in England and Wales, provisional: week ending 7 January 2022
Provisional counts of the number of deaths registered in England and Wales, in the latest weeks for which data are available.

COVID-19: migrant health guide
Advice and guidance for healthcare practitioners on the health needs of migrant patients.

COVID-19 vaccination: myocarditis and pericarditis information for healthcare professionals
Information for healthcare professionals on myocarditis and pericarditis following COVID-19 vaccination – updated the ‘Why are serum samples being requested if myocarditis is suspected after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine?’ section.

Monitoring reports of the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination
Data on the real-world efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccines.

JUDICIARY / LEGAL:

Coronavirus (COVID-19): courts and tribunals guidance
This page provides advice and guidance for all court and tribunal users during the COVID-19 pandemic and will be updated when new advice is available.

Preventing and controlling outbreaks of COVID-19 in prisons and places of detention
Information for prisons and other prescribed places of detention on coronavirus (COVID-19) – updated information on: ending self-isolation for prisoners/detainees and staff who test positive for COVID-19; testing information for staff and prisoners/detainees who are identified as a contact; return to work criteria for staff who test positive for COVID-19 or who are identified as a contact; visitors to prisons.

MANUFACTURING:

Producing hand sanitiser and gel for coronavirus (COVID-19)
Temporary changes to the use and supply of denatured alcohol and duty-free spirits, to help businesses who produce hand sanitiser and gel – From 1 April 2022, temporary measures to help businesses who produce hand sanitiser and gel will be changing.

PROPERTY:

House sales speed up despite conveyancing overload and buying frenzy
Agents finding it difficult to persuade potential vendors to come to the market this early in the year have new ammunition thanks to consumer group the HomeOwners Alliance. It says that data from the past seven years shows January remains one of the best months of the year to list a house for a speedy sale. The HOA’s estateagent4me database has shown properties listed in January take an average of 60 days to sell – over the past seven years the duration in January has fluctuated between 51 and 75 days. January 2021 was the fastest on record for the HOA, getting faster as the year went on. By December properties were selling in just 43 days. In 2021 sellers shaved two weeks off the average time to sell – making it 15 per cent faster to sell last year than in the last seven years

RETAIL:

British chocolate brand continues to expand internationally
A “premium” British chocolatier today announces a trading update for the 13-week period (“Q2”) and the 26-week period (“H1”) ended 26 December 2021.
Hotel Chocolat’s revenue for Q2 increased 37 per cent compared to the prior year, and by 63 per cent compared to the equivalent period in FY20. In the UK, the strong brand position and multichannel model enabled growth of 38 per cent. New customer acquisition campaigns resulted in 38 per cent more active customers. In the USA, the digital-led strategy delivered growth of 128 per cent, with active customer database growth of 119 per cent.

TRANSPORT:

Haulier advice site locations
Find sites where HGV and coach drivers can get free COVID-19 tests and check their documents to transport goods to the EU – the Holyhead haulier advice site remains temporarily closed.

Useful links:

Publishing information about your claimsIn January HMRC published the list of employers who claimed under the CJRS for periods from December onwards, on GOV.UK.

Repayment period for Bounce Back Loans extended to ten yearsBusinesses that took out government Bounce Back loans to help them through the Coronavirus crisis now have more time to repay. Companies will be contacted with options to extend the length of the loan from six to 10 years as part of a new ‘pay-as-you-grow’ initiative. The new proposals give businesses three new options:

1. Extending the length of the loan from six years to 10;

2. Making interest-only payments for six months, then repaying the principal on a phased basis with other interest-only periods;

3. Delaying repayments entirely for up to six months.

COVID-19 Winter Plan
The government’s plan for managing COVID-19 through the end of 2020 and into the start of 2021.

Government extends JRS furlough scheme at 80% for period of lockdown
The government has said the furlough scheme, due to have closed on 31^st October, would now be extended until December.

Check if your employer can use the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

Check which employees you can put on furlough to use the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

Calculate how much you can claim using the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

Steps to take before calculating your claim using the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

Check if you can claim for your employees’ wages through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

New National Restrictions from 5 November
Information on the new national restrictions, including what they mean for working from home and business closures, why they are being introduced and the financial support available.

Job Retention Bonus (JRB)
Employers are able to claim a one-off payment of £1,000 for every eligible employee furloughed and claimed for through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS), kept continuously employed until at least 31 January 2021 and who meets the other eligibility criteria. Claims can be made between 15 February and 31 March.

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 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