Latest data:
Testing: 2,007,146 tests have now taken place + 85,293 yesterday
Positive tests: 226,463 people have tested positive + 3,403 on previous day
Loss of life: 32,692 people have died across all settings, 627 more deaths since the previous day’s figures
In Stockport: There are 971 cases of Covid-19 + 8 cases on previous day
Government Daily Briefing
Tuesday 12th May:
- Reiterated the new 5 levels that dictate the time line for easing lockdown
- Published new guidance for going Back to Work safely including downloadable templates
- 4 month extension of the Job Retention Scheme with new guidelines
- New slides presented demonstrate data including compliance to social distancing rules, testing and new cases, number of Covid-19 deaths after testing positive, deaths where Covid-19 was suspected but not confirmed, hospital data showing estimated admissions into hospital / critical care beds occupied (currently 22%) and number of people in hospital with Covid-19 by region.
Business Secretary’s statement on coronavirus (COVID-19): 12 May 2020
Business Secretary Alok Sharma gave the 12 May 2020 daily press briefing on the government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Slides to accompany coronavirus press conference: 12 May 2020
Press conference slides and datasets used by The Rt Hon Alok Sharma MP and Professor Stephen Powis.
HEADLINE NEWS:
BBC: UK economy shrinks by 2% in Q1
The chancellor has said it is “very likely” the UK is in a “significant recession”, as figures show the economy contracting at the fastest pace since the financial crisis. Rishi Sunak told the BBC that just “a few days of impact from the virus” in March pushed the economy into decline.
Government announces £14m fund to HSE for safe working
£14m has been made available to the Health and Safety Executive, which is an increase of 10% of its budget and will be used as needed for extra call centre employees, inspectors and equipment.
- Self Employed Income Support Scheme grant applications open today
- Garden centres are allowed to open
- Sports such as golf, tennis and angling where social distancing can be maintained, are now permitted
- The housing market is being re-opened as estate agents are allowed to open, viewings can take place, house purchases can complete and removal companies can get back to work as lockdown affected 450,000 transactions
- Childminders are able to open to look after children from the same household
- People who are unable to work from home are encouraged to return to work
- Where possible, people are encouraged to avoid public transport
- Face coverings are recommended to be worn inside shared spaces and on public transport
- People in England are able to spend unlimited time outside their home exercising or resting
- Restrictions on how far people can travel have been relaxed
- One person can meet one other person from a different household outside, staying 2 metres apart
- Fines for breaking the rules start at £100 rising to £3,200 for repeat offenders
Latest news available at BBC and on Government website
Latest Government guidance on which businesses can be open HERE
Government expands expert team to rapidly roll out coronavirus test and trace programme
The government has announced the expansion of the expert team leading on the rapid nationwide roll-out of the coronavirus (COVID-19) test and trace programme.
LOCAL / REGIONAL NEWS & UPDATES:
ESF COMMUNITY GRANTS – GREATER MANCHESTER 2019-2021
Re-Connect Priority Grants Round
Small grants of up to £20,000 are available across Greater Manchester to eligible organisations in the VCSE sector. This programme covers the 10 Greater Manchester boroughs, and all eligible participants must live in Greater Manchester. Apply HERE applications close on Wednesday 3rd June 2020
Stockport – is your business open for business?
Is your business in Stockport? Are you ‘open for business’?
Many businesses have been affected by the coronavirus outbreak and are currently unable to trade due to Government restrictions but Stockport is still open for business. Are you still providing legal / financial services? Perhaps you have an online business? Or you have a food store. Are you offering a delivery service? Or perhaps you have a restaurant and are now offering take-aways? Whatever your business, we want to support you. And it’s free!
Follow the link, fill in the form and we will add you to our directory:
Help us to help you and your business
Totally Stockport and Stockport Council want to understand the challenges facing your organisation once you consider resuming your business so that we can provide the right help, support and advice for our businesses and local economy to recover.
Please complete this short survey (7-8 questions) to help us to understand what help is needed – by taking part you will be supporting us all to rebuild our economy together. Please encourage all of your contacts and networks to take part in the survey so that we can get as much information as possible.
Visit www.bidsurvey.com and help them to help you.
COMMUNITY:
New guidance on spending time outdoors
Details on a range of outdoor activities which will be allowed in England from 13 May 2020 subject to social distancing rules.
CONSTRUCTION:
House building sites allowed to work longer hours
The Government has given the all clear for sites to stay open longer to cater for staggered arrivals and departures from the site. One of a raft of measures to get the housing market back up to speed including re-opening show homes, estate agents and removal firms.
JCB resumes production at 5 factories
JCB is resuming low-level production at five of its UK factories as a comprehensive package of safety measures is rolled out to protect factory workers in the wake of the coronavirus crisis.
EDUCATION:
Coronavirus (COVID-19): attendance in education and early years settings
A summary of how many children and teachers attended education and childcare settings since Monday 23 March – updated COVID-19 attendance in education settings data and added Coronavirus (COVID-19) attendance in education settings: 8 May 2020 summary
Actions for educational and childcare settings to prepare for wider opening from 1 June 2020
Added an initial planning framework for schools in England to next steps for the phased wider opening of educational and childcare settings.
National Foundation for Educational Research launches Covid-19 Teacher survey
The National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) is undertaking national research to understand and address the impact of the current Covid-19 pandemic on education and on learners. The work is funded by the Nuffield Foundation and NFER. It will consist of two online surveys taking place in May and June 2020. All primary and secondary schools in England will be invited to take part, as well as teachers and senior leaders on its Teacher Voice panel.
EMPLOYERS / BUSINESS FINANCE:
Closing certain businesses and venues in England
This document provides guidance on the closure of certain businesses and venues as part of further social distancing measures.
Chancellor extends furlough scheme until October
The government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme will remain open until the end of October, the Chancellor announced
Tuesday 12 May 2020
Government Covid-19 loan schemes reach £15 billion
The three major government-backed lending schemes have provided almost £15bn to more than 304,000 businesses so far, according to new figures.
A total of £8.38bn has been approved to 268,173 businesses through the Bounce Back Loan Scheme (BBLS) in the week since it launched. This represents an average of more than 38,000 loans being approved each day.
Elsewhere, lenders have provided £6.1bn to 35,919 companies through the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS).
Finally, figures for the Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CLBILS) show £359m was approved to 59 mid-sized and larger UK businesses. The number of applications is lower than for CBILS and BBLS but the average value of each loan is higher at more than £6m.
Government to support businesses through Trade Credit Insurance guarantee
Businesses with supply chains which rely on Trade Credit Insurance and who are experiencing difficulties maintaining cover due to Coronavirus will get support from the government, the Economic Secretary to the Treasury, John Glen has announced.
Coronavirus (COVID-19): safer public places – urban centres and green spaces
Guidance for the owners and operators of urban centres and green spaces to help social distancing.
Government announces roadmap taskforces
New ministerial-led taskforces have been set up to plan how closed sectors can reopen safely.
Centre for Assessment: Back to work Risk Assessment Support
As you consider how to manage the risks associated with people going back to work following the lifting of lockdown restrictions, we are here to support you.
Stockport businesses grant funding payments:
Stockport Council have administered a further 41 grants in the past 24 hours bringing the total amount paid to £53,765,000 across 4,664 qualifying businesses and 85.2% of those identified as eligible as at 11/03/2020. If your business qualifies for a grant, please complete the online application form. total grant allocation is £66.574m. SMBC have now awarded 80.8% of the overall funding to date.
If you have any queries please email business.rates@stockport.gov.uk
HEALTH & WELLBEING:
MHRA guidance on coronavirus (COVID-19)
Added a new section to guidance and information for industry, healthcare professionals and patients covering the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, linking to general government guidance for different workplaces.
New partnership to sequence human genomes in fight against coronavirus
Thousands of patients severely ill with coronavirus will have their genetic code studied to help scientists understand whether a person’s genetics may influence their susceptibility to the virus.
COVID-19: guidance for care of the deceased
Updated guidance on sharing information with others, residual risk of infection from the deceased and the use of body bags, and the use of PPE for those who are responsible for care of the deceased added to advice to assist people required to manage bodies of deceased persons infected with coronavirus (COVID-19).
Government expands expert team to rapidly roll out coronavirus test and trace programme
The government has announced the expansion of the expert team leading on the rapid nationwide roll-out of the coronavirus (COVID-19) test and trace programme.
MARKETING / COMMS:
How the Covid-19 outbreak is impacting on marketing, media and technology sectors
The harsh realities of the pandemic and new ways companies are finding of thriving:
Visit Blackpool has rebranded as Do Not Visit Blackpool; 40 agencies team up for fundraising event and the extension to the furlough scheme has been welcomed by the Advertising Association
PROPERTY:
What does Covid-19 look like for property investors in the North?
TheBusinessDesk.com in partnership with Bevan Brittan seeks to explore the impacts of the current crisis on property investment across the Northern Powerhouse in its latest exclusive webinar on Tuesday 19th May at 10am
Conveyancers and removers join agents on ‘Back To Work Day’
“Our clear plan will enable people to move home safely, covering each aspect of the sales and letting process from viewings to removals. Our step-by-step plan is based on the latest guidance to ensure the safety and protection of everyone involved. This critical industry can now safely move forward, and those waiting patiently to move can now do so” Jenrick says.
TRAVEL:
Coronavirus (COVID-19): new transport guidance for passengers and operators
Announcing new safer travel guidance for members of the public and safer transport guidance for operators.
Covid-19 Webinars:
14th May: ACAS: HMRC Job Retention Scheme Book here
15th May: Stakeholder Mapping in a Covid-19 lockdown More info / book here
26th May: Is more devolution key to recovery? More info / book here
2nd June: Digital Futures – join tech experts More info / book here
HMRC:
Coronavirus COVID-19 Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme:
Providing an overview of the scheme, this webinar looks at who can claim, when to start paying SSP, employees you can claim for, making a claim, keeping records, and more. Choose a date and time
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme – How to make a claim:
This guides you through making a claim, including the essential information you need, what to do before you make your claim, calculating and processing your claim.
Choose a date and time
If you’ve missed any of HMRC’s live webinars, you can catch up series of recorded webinars on HMRC’s YouTube channel – available at a time to suit you.
Twice weekly: EnterprisingYou Finance support for the self-employed webinars For info about latest webinar date announcements please visit the website https://enterprising-you.co.uk/latest-news/
Useful links:
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.
Stockport Council has launched a FREE job matching website to help support employers with vacancies and individuals across the Stockport borough who are looking for work. The service, Stockport Jobs Match, will help to connect employers who have urgent temporary or permanent vacancies with applicants who are immediately available and in need of employment. The website also helps signpost individuals to available support services and information.
www.stockport-jobsmatch.co.uk
Employment – Useful information for the Self-Employed:
News and Guidance for the self-employed:
Concerned how Coronavirus might impact you and your business?
Please get in touch with Enterprising You and you will be connected to someone who can help. You can also access information and guidance including the latest Government updates via www.businessgrowthhub.com/coronavirus
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
Stockport Council – Health & Mental Well-being https://www.stockport.gov.uk/showcase/coronavirus
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 – IT safety support:
Government Warnings Over Coronavirus Scams – Here’s How to Protect Yourself
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
Stockport Council Grant scheme:
https://www.stockport.gov.uk/business-rates-support-measures
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
Business Growth Hub:
www.businessgrowthhub.com/coronavirus
Food & Drink – advice and guidance:
Health – updates from NHS
https://www.england.nhs.uk/news/
Health – Shielding the most vulnerable
Health – Dedicated helpline to support vulnerable residents in Stockport:
Support can be accessed by calling 0161 217 6046 Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm and Saturdays from 10am to 4pm.
Health – Dedicated health & wellbeing services:
24/7 mental health helpline & safe haven for anyone over the age of 18 in Stockport (0800 138 7276).
Health – An Emotional Wellbeing Hub which provides information, advice, and guidance for anyone up to the age of 25 for emotional wellbeing and mental health concerns. 0161 217 6028 – 8.30am-5pm Mon – Thurs 8.30am-4.30pm on Friday.
Health – the big white wall
The Big White Wall offers 24/7 anonymous support via a digital emotional wellbeing and mental health service, offering peer support for anyone over the age of 16, support from trained clinicians alongside a range of helpful tools and resources.
Media and Marketing:
Travel:
https://media.northernrailway.co.uk/news/coronavirus-travel-information
Recruitment: – DWP and Universal Credit
Retail: An update form British Retail Consortium
https://brc.org.uk/news/corporate-affairs/coronavirus-latest-retailer-activity/
Employment: – Stockport Jobs Match
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