Main points from today Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps, led the briefing. Downing St spokesperson has said today that those with Covid-19 antibodies could obtain a Health Certificate but more needs to be understood about immunology. 126.064 test yesterday. 233,151 positive tests, an increase of 3,446 from yesterday.  33,614 deaths, an increase of 428 from yesterday. Latest Guidance (employment and business) www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-for-wages-through-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme Added in that records must be kept for at least 6 years. Clarification around where employers can search for employee’s National Insurance Numbers. Added wording to the ‘After you’ve claimed’ section which was removed from the ‘Work out 80% of your employees’ wages to claim through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme’. Time updated 5:05pm, 14 May 2020 Work out 80% of your employees’ wages to claim through the Coronavirus – Read More…

Main points from today Housing and Communities Secretary, Robert Jenrick, led the briefing. From today anyone in England can move house, subject to new guidance published by the Government. Estate Agents’ offices can open; viewings – both virtual and in person – are permitted. 229.705 positive tests, an increase of 3,242 from yesterday.  33,186 deaths, an increase of 494 from yesterday. Latest Guidance (employment and business) No new guidance today. General guidance on the CJRS is here:- www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-for-wages-through-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme Work out 80% of your employees’ wages to claim through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme Check if you can claim for your employees’ wages through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme Check if you can claim a grant through the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme Latest Guidance (health) The latest health guidance is as – Read More…

Main points from today Apologies, there was a news conference yesterday that took place at 7pm that focused on the 60 page guidance. Our plan to rebuild: The UK Government’s COVID-19 recovery strategy Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, announced in the House of Commons that the furlough scheme would be extended until the end of October. From August employees will be allowed to return part time and have some wages paid by their employer and some by the Government, to maintain the 80% or £2,500 currently available.  Further details will be published later this month. Business Secretary, Alok Sharma, led the briefing today. 226,463 positive tests, an increase of 3,401 from yesterday.  32,692 deaths, an increase of 627 from yesterday. Latest Guidance (employment and business) Chancellor extends furlough scheme until October – – Read More…

Main points from today There was no daily news conference. Today the Government published a 60 page recovery strategy.  Our plan to rebuild: The UK Government’s COVID-19 recovery strategy Latest Guidance (employment and business) Following the PM’s announcement yesterday. The full speech is here – PM address to the nation on coronavirus: 10 May 2020 Today the Government published a 60 page recovery strategy. Our plan to rebuild: The UK Government’s COVID-19 recovery strategy – The UK Government’s COVID-19 recovery strategy.  First published.  2:02pm, 11 May 2020.  Provisions relating to work are on page 26:- Step One The changes to policy in this step will apply from Wednesday 13 May in England. Work For the foreseeable future, workers should continue to work from home rather than their normal physical workplace, – Read More…

Main points from today Foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab, led the briefing. Confirmed again that PM will set out second phase on Sunday. Downing Street says any easing of the lockdown next week will be ‘very limited’ and be a four nation approach so all nations exit at the same time. 206,715 positive tests, an increase of 5,614 from yesterday.  30,615 deaths in all settings an increase of 539. Latest Guidance (employment and business) No new guidance today. www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-for-wages-through-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme Work out 80% of your employees’ wages to claim through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme Check if you can claim for your employees’ wages through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme Check if you can claim a grant through the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme Latest Guidance (health) No new guidance today. Schools No – Read More…

Main points from today Housing and Communities Secretary, Robert Jenrick, led the briefing. PM will set out second phase on Sunday.  It will be based on the five principles:- NHS has sufficient capacity. A sustained and consistent fall in death rates. Rate of infection falls to manageable levels. Testing capacity and PPE able to cope with demand. No risk of a second peak. Testing to increase to 200,000+ by end of May. 201,111 positive tests, an increase of 6,111 from yesterday.  30,076 deaths in all settings an increase of 649. Latest Guidance (employment and business) No new guidance today. www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-for-wages-through-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme Work out 80% of your employees’ wages to claim through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme Check if you can claim for your employees’ wages through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme – Read More…

Main points from today Foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab, led the briefing. US and UK publish joint guidance regarding cyber crime during the pandemic. The contact tracing app will focus on UK rather than global. 194,990 positive tests, an increase of 4,406 from yesterday.  29,427 deaths in all settings an increase of 689. Latest Guidance (employment and business) www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-for-wages-through-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme Work out 80% of your employees’ wages to claim through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme Check if you can claim for your employees’ wages through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme Check if you can claim a grant through the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme The formal rules for the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme have been published. Treasury Direction made by the Chancellor under Sections 71 and 76 of the Coronavirus Act 2020 First – Read More…

Main points from today Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, led the briefing. The contact tracing app will be trialled on the Isle of Wight this week. The app will log locations via bluetooth and send an anonymous alert to other users if they have been in contact with someone suspected to have the virus.  There will be a recommendation that they self-isolate or get tested if needed. The aim is to have the app and human contact tracing up and running across the country by the middle of May. 190,584 positive tests, an increase of 3,985 from yesterday.  28,734 deaths in all settings an increase of 288.  The lowest daily increase since 20th March. Latest Guidance (employment and business) www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-for-wages-through-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme Work out 80% of your employees’ wages to claim through the – Read More…

Main points from today Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, led the briefing. The target of 100,00 tests per day was achieved.  122,347 tests were completed in the 24 hours up to 9am on 1st May. The Health Secretary said ‘testing was crucial to suppress the virus and unlock the lockdown.’ By mid May 18,000 people would be involved in contact tracing with more if necessary. 177,454 positive tests, an increase of 6,201 from yesterday.  27,510 deaths, an increase of 739 from yesterday. Latest Guidance (employment and business) www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-for-wages-through-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme Work out 80% of your employees’ wages to claim through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme Check if you can claim for your employees’ wages through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme 1 May 2020 Added links to apprenticeship learning arrangements for England, Scotland, Wales – Read More…

Main points from today The PM returned to lead the briefing. He announced that for the first time we are past the peak of the virus and now on the downward slope. Comprehensive plan to be announced next week regarding lockdown.  A ‘roadmap’ and ‘menu of options’ to be implemented to reduce the lockdown depending on the 5 point plan previously announced. The plan would include getting the economy moving and children back to school. Total deaths 26,711 in all settings, an increase of 674 from yesterday. Latest Guidance (employment and business) www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-for-wages-through-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme 30 April 2020 Page updated with information on what to do if one or more of your employees does not have a National Insurance number. Work out 80% of your employees’ wages to claim through the Coronavirus – Read More…