Main points from today Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps, led the briefing today. He confirmed that from Monday it is mandatory to wear face coverings (not surgical masks) on public transport. Department of Health data shows the UK R rate is between 0.7 and 0.9.  The R rate in England is between 0.8 and 1 and in the South West of England between 0.8 and 1.1. 292,950 positive tests as of yesterday, an increase of 1,541.  41,181 deaths, an increase of 202 from yesterday. Latest Guidance (employment and business) New guidance expected today (12th June) has not yet been published. CJRS guidance can now be found here:- Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme The Self-Employment Income Support Scheme guidance is here:- Check if you can claim a grant through the Self-Employment Income Support – Read More…

Main points from today Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, led the briefing today. He confirmed that figures from the first week of test and trace (28th May to 3rd June) showed as follows:- 8,117 people who tested positive were referred to test and trace. Of those 5,407 (67%) were contacted and provided details of people they had been in contact with. From those details 31,794 people were identified and 26,985 were contacted and agreed to self-isolate. He said the data shows ‘the virus in in retreat.’ 291,409 positive tests as of yesterday, an increase of 1,266.  41,279 deaths, an increase of 151 from yesterday. Latest Guidance (employment and business) New guidance expected on 12th June. Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme statistics: June 2020 First published.  9:30am, 11 June 2020 The total number – Read More…

Main points from today The PM led the briefing today. He stated that the Government’s 5 tests were still being met. Therefore, from the weekend single adult households will be able to form a support bubble with one other household, which could include overnight stays if necessary. Retail shops can open from Monday 15th June 2020, provided they comply with guidelines. Outdoor attractions, namely zoos, safari parks and drive-in cinemas. All schools will open fully from September, if it is safe to do so. The PM also said that tomorrow, Education Secretary, Gavin Williamson, would announce a catch-up programme for schools over the summer. 290,143 positive tests as of yesterday, an increase of 1,003.  41,128 deaths, an increase of 245 from yesterday. Latest Guidance (employment and business) New guidance expected – Read More…

Main points from today Business Secretary, Alok Sharma, led the briefing today. He stated that retail outlets that had previously been required to close, can open from Monday 15th June 2020, provided they comply with guidelines. Education Secretary, Gavin Williamson, told MP’s the Government was prepared to shut ‘clusters’ of schools if Covid-19 cases emerge but that current public health advice recommends that “all schools can open.” Plans for all primary school children to be back in class for four weeks before the summer holidays have been dropped, but ministers hope that some schools will try.  Gavin Williamson said, “We’d like to see schools who have the capacity to bring back more children, in those smaller class sizes, to do so if they are able,” and, “We will be working – Read More…

Today (Wednesday 10th June 2020), is the last day in which employers can place employees on furlough for the first time and be eligible to claim the relevant grant payment. The Scheme will be closed to new entrants from 1 July 2020 and, from that point onwards, employers will only be able to furlough employees who have been furloughed for a full three-week period prior to 30 June 2020. This means that the final date by which an employer can furlough an employee for the first time is 10 June 2020, in order for the required minimum three-week furlough period to be completed by 30 June 2020. From 1 July 2020, businesses will be given the flexibility to bring furloughed employees back part time. This is a month earlier than – Read More…

Main points from today Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, led the briefing today. He stated that the latest guidance from SAGE was that the R rate was ‘below 1 in all regions.’ No deaths in hospitals in London or Scotland. He said ‘we are winning the battle but there is further to go.’ 287,399 positive tests as of yesterday, an increase of 1,205 (lowest since end of March).  40,597 deaths, an increase of 55 from yesterday. Latest Guidance (employment and business) No new guidance today or over the weekend. CJRS guidance can now be found here:- Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme The Self-Employment Income Support Scheme guidance is here:- Check if you can claim a grant through the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme Latest Guidance (health) No new guidance today or over the – Read More…

Main points from today Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, led the briefing today. He announced that from 15th June all staff in hospitals will be required to wear surgical face masks. All hospital visitors and outpatients must wear face coverings. The R rate is between 0.7 and 0.9 as of 5th June. The R rate may be higher (but not above 1) in the North West and South West of England. 40,261 deaths, an increase of 357 from yesterday. Latest Guidance (employment and business) No new guidance today. CJRS guidance can now be found here:- Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme The Self-Employment Income Support Scheme guidance is here:- Check if you can claim a grant through the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme Latest Guidance (health) 40 (forty) updates were issued at 2.00pm today – Read More…

Main points from today Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps, led the briefing today. He announced that from 15th June it will be mandatory for passengers to wear face coverings (not necessarily surgical masks) on public transport. 281,661 confirmed cases as of yesterday, an increase of 1,805.  39,904 deaths, an increase of 176 from yesterday (lowest weekday figure). Latest Guidance (employment and business) No new guidance today. CJRS guidance can now be found here:- Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme The Self-Employment Income Support Scheme guidance is here:- Check if you can claim a grant through the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme Latest Guidance (health) No new guidance today. Schools Preparing for the wider opening of schools from 1 June Updated the planning guide for primary schools to reflect the announcement by the Prime Minister – Read More…

Main points from today The PM led the briefing today. He said that as the NHS Test and Trace becomes established ‘we will be able to replace national lockdown with individual isolation and, if necessary, local action where there are outbreaks.’ 279,856 confirmed cases as of yesterday, an increase of 1,871.  39,728 deaths, an increase of 359 from yesterday. Latest Guidance (employment and business) Nothing new today but worth repeating this:- Claim for wages through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme is changing: From 1 July, employers can bring back to work employees that have previously been furloughed for any amount of time and any shift pattern, while still being able to claim CJRS grant for their normal hours not worked. When claiming the CJRS grant – Read More…

Main points from today Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, led the briefing. He said that there is plenty of testing capacity available and anyone with symptoms should obtain a test. 277,985 confirmed cases as of yesterday, an increase of 1,61.  39,369 deaths, an increase of 324 from yesterday. 436 new hospital admissions, the lowest since 20th March. Latest Guidance (employment and business) One very important point to highlight regarding the new Flexible Furlough Scheme (I’m not going to use the acronym!) Claim for wages through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme is changing: From 1 July, employers can bring back to work employees that have previously been furloughed for any amount of time and any shift pattern, while still being able to claim CJRS grant for their – Read More…