Wednesday February 2nd – Coronavirus News Updates

UK STATISTICS:

There have been over 17 million confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK and more than 156,000 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. 84% have had their second and nearly 65% have had a booster.

Total UK Cases: 17,428,345 positive tests
Latest UK daily figure: 112,148 new cases
Number in UK hospital: 15,669
New deaths across UK: 219
Total UK deaths: 156,875
England Cases per 100,000: 1,096
R number in UK: 0.8-1.1

Vaccine data:

Total 1^st doses given: 52,360,487 – 91% of UK aged 12+
Total 2^nd doses: 84%
Daily 1^st doses: 15,329
Daily 2nd doses: 24,275
Daily Booster doses: 39,062

The R value and growth rate
The latest reproduction number (R) and growth rate of coronavirus (COVID-19).
The R range for England is 0.8 to 1.1 the growth rate range for England is -6% to +1% per day as of 28 January 2022.

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.

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.

Change to metric from 31 January 2022
Cases definition now includes multiple infection episodes. Deaths definition in England updated to align with revised cases.

Latest Cheshire East data:

Total Cheshire East cases: 101,074
New cases in past 7 days: 4,192 to 27 Jan
Total deaths: 985
Cases per 100,000: 1,084

UK NEWS UPDATES:

Government reveals plans to deliver on levelling up agenda
Michael Gove, Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, has published the government’s Levelling Up White Paper, which shares its plans to rebalance inequalities between UK’s regions.

The White Paper sets outs in detail the action the government proposes to take to deliver on its Levelling Up ambitions and how it aims to deliver promised increases in prosperity in areas beyond London and the South East, and what it aims to have achieved by 2030.

House prices see fastest growth rate in January for 17 years
House prices have risen at the fastest annual pace for a January in 17 years, amid “robust” demand and low supply, according to lender Nationwide. The building society said prices rose by 11.2% year-on-year and by 0.8% between December and January.

Beijing reports spike in new virus cases
Beijing has reported its highest number of Covid-19 cases in 18 months, five days ahead of the start of the Winter Olympics in the Chinese capital. After 20 more cases were reported in the capital, officials announced that some local areas had been locked down with residents being tested. Separately, organisers of the Olympics reported 34 new infections within the event’s “closed-loop” bubble. Officials said it included 13 athletes or officials arriving at the airport.

Measles warning for children as jab rate falls in England
More than one in 10 school entry-age children in England are at risk of measles because they have not had their vaccine jabs, data reveals. Coverage for the two doses of MMR that helps protect five-year-olds against measles, mumps and rubella is currently at 85.5%. That is the lowest for a decade, and well below the 95% target recommended to stop a resurgence of measles. Measles is highly contagious, more than Covid, and can cause serious illness.

REGIONAL & LOCAL NEWS:

Manchester Airport Jobs Fair to highlight hundreds of live vacancies
Jobseekers will have the opportunity to learn about hundreds of live vacancies at Manchester Airport at a jobs fair taking place on 10th February.

Manchester Airports Group (MAG) is looking to recruit for over 500 staff in passenger security, in addition to further customer service, car parks and hospitality positions at the Northern hub. Further jobs are also available with over a dozen businesses operating out of Manchester Airport, including airlines, contractors and retailers.

Former Wilmslow Police Station comes to market for residential development
Legat Owen has been instructed by the Cheshire Police and Crime Commissioner to market the former Wilmslow Police Station site in the town centre for residential development.

BUSINESS:

After volatile January, world stocks start February on firm note
World stocks began the new month on firmer ground, after a volatile January, as reassuring comments from Federal Reserve officials helped to calm rate-hike jitters. A pan-European equity index rallied 1% (.STOXX) Japan’s blue-chip Nikkei (.N225) rose by 0.3%, buoyed by Wall Street’s overnight gains and MSCI’s world stock index rose to its highest in over a week.

BCC calls for improved trade with Europe on the second anniversary of Brexit
On the second anniversary of Brexit the British Chamber of Commerce (BCC) is calling for urgent action to improve trade with Europe.This follows reports of lorries stacked up on the A20, waiting to get into the port of Dover. With over half of UK exporters (60 per cent) surveyed by the BCC in November 2021 reporting difficulties in trading with the EU, an increase from 49 per cent in January 2021, the BCC states “clear urgent action is needed.”

Britannia and Mercure named UK’s worst hotel chains as Premier Inn tops poll
Britannia has been ranked as the worst hotel chain in the UK for a ninth consecutive year, according to an annual survey by consumer group Which?.Cheshire-headquartered Britannia, which has 61 hotels across the UK including Liverpool city centre’s Adelphi and Scarisbrick Hotel in Southport, has come bottom of the pile after receiving an average customer score of only 49%.

CREATIVE INDUSTRIES:

£50m investment in creative industries announced

Creative businesses will benefit from £50m government investment in an an effort to drive economic growth. The investment includes £21m to help build on the international success of the UK film industry through a three-year UK Global Screen Fund. This follows a successful one-year pilot of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport scheme that has boosted the global reach of UK independent productions, including The Miracle Club (starring Maggie Smith) and Good Luck to You, Leo Grande (starring Emma Thompson), administered by the British Film Institute (BFI).

Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries outlines strength of the UK’s creative industries
Transcript of the speech, as it was delivered is here

COMMUNITY:

Weekly peer support group available for people living with long covid

The online group is for Stockport residents who can meet and share their experiences and support each other. A short promotional video has been produced to help make the community aware.

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.

Access to Work: factsheet for customers
Factsheet about Access to Work and how it can help overcome barriers to starting or keeping a job if you have a disability or long-term health condition.

COVID-19: provision of night shelters
Operating principles for commissioners and providers of night shelters for people experiencing rough sleeping.

COVID-19 surveillance and immunity studies
An overview of national surveillance programmes to understand how COVID-19 is present and affecting the wider population.

Guidance for contacts of people with confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) infection who do not live with the person
For contacts of a person with a positive test result for COVID-19 who do not live with that person.

Driving test centre waiting rooms during coronavirus (COVID-19)
Check which driving test centre waiting rooms are open, and find out what the rules are for using them because of coronavirus

HEALTH & WELLBEING:

COVID-19 variants identified in the UK
Latest updates on SARS-CoV-2 variants detected in the UK.

Second ground-breaking antiviral to be deployed to country’s most vulnerable
Thousands of those most at-risk to COVID-19 will soon be able to access the UK’s second ground-breaking antiviral

HOSPITALITY & LEISURE:

Coronavirus (COVID-19): Safer public places – managing public outdoor settings
Guidance for local authorities, owners and operators to support the safe use and management of outdoor public places while the risk of COVID-19 transmission remains – updated to reflect the lifting of Plan B measures.

PROPERTY:

Supply up in every part of the country according to Rightmove
The supply of new properties coming to the market is up on this time last year in every single region of the country according to Rightmove. In the last week, the number of new properties for sale is up eight per cent in Great Britain compared to the same period last year. The East Midlands, South East, South West, Wales and Yorkshire & The Humber all recorded an increase upwards of 10 per cent in new homes for sale in the last week compared to the same period last year.
Rightmove sees this as an early sign of a better-balanced market to come in 2022. This new wave of sellers coming to market is set against a backdrop of continuing high buyer demand into 2022 – total buyer demand is up 35 per cent within the last

RETAIL:

Shoppers warned of £180 rise in annual food bills
Annual food bills are set to rise by £180 on average as the cost of living squeeze continues to hit household budgets, according to consultants Kantar. Annual grocery inflation was 3.8% over the past four weeks, up from 3.5% in December, Kantar found. Sales of savoury snacks, fresh beef and crisps rose last month, while beer, bacon and vitamins fell Dry January and Veganuary boosted sales of vegan and low alcohol products.

Whitepaper reveals the major challenges for retailers in 2022
Research by software provider Fourth, indicates competition against eCommerce is now seen as a key obstacle to navigate by 37 per cent of retailers in 2022. The new research also shows hiring issues are still intensifying, as sourcing staff post-Brexit and ensuring staff have the correct visas and work permits have become bigger challenges for the industry, rising from 25 per cent in 2021 to 37 per cent in 2022. Keeping the shopfloor Covid-safe for staff and customers has also increased to the third most pressing industry-wide challenge, rising from 26 per cent in 2021 to 35 per cent in 2022.

TRANSPORT:

Carry out international road haulage
What UK goods vehicle operators need to do to carry out international road haulage – added information about registering journeys within Europe from 2 February 2022.

TRAVEL:

Will travel return to normal this summer?

Airlines and tour operators are racing to boost staff numbers in the hope receding travel rules will trigger a summer holiday boom.

The UK will remove all travel testing requirements for fully-vaccinated people next Friday. However, travel agents say destinations’ Covid rules are still putting some Brits off, and many continue to book last minute. There are also warnings of recruitment struggles as the industry ramps up. On Monday, Ryanair’s Michael O’Leary was the latest travel boss to predict a strong bounce-back, as people return to going on holiday.

Useful links:

Publishing information about your claims
In 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