Useful Information for Businesses – Update 25th January 2021

25th January 2021
Uncategorised

Croydon Council Update

A message from Councillor Hamida Ali, leader of the council

It is fantastic news that our over-70s are beginning to be offered the Covid-19 vaccination, with GP sites now adding them to their list of patients to contact. The over-80s continue to be the first priority and because not all vaccination sites went live at the same time, some of them have yet to be contacted. So please, don’t worry if you are in either of these priority groups and have not yet heard – our local NHS are working flat out to deliver the vaccine as quickly and as safely as possible and they will get to you. They expect the majority of over-80s to have been offered the vaccine by the end of January and those over 70 to have been offered the vaccine by 15 February 2021. These priority groups will be able to come forward and receive the vaccine throughout the Covid-19 vaccination programme, so you will not miss your turn.

The NHS will continue to contact people directly to invite them to receive the vaccine when it is their time. This may be via the phone, text message or letter from a Croydon GP practice. You do need an appointment, so please don’t arrive at a vaccination site without one. You can find information about the Croydon Covid-19 vaccination programme on our local NHS website, including a full list of the practices which are covered by each GP-led vaccination site. Thank you to everyone who is being so patient and, once again, my heartfelt thanks go to our partners the NHS who are doing such a wonderful job in delivering this programme.

While this is really encouraging news and gives us all hope that there may be an end in sight, I must continue to urge caution. Our infection numbers remain incredibly high in Croydon – you can find the latest data here – and the situation in our hospital is critical, as it remains extremely busy. We are many months away from everyone in our community being vaccinated and while priority groups are beginning to have their first dose, this only adds a degree of immunity until they have received the second. So for now, it is vital that we all continue to stay at home and follow the national restrictions. If you must go out, then always keep your distance from others and follow hands, face, space because the virus is widespread throughout our community. Remember one in three people could have the virus but show no symptoms, so act like you’ve got it – this is the only way to protect yourself and others.

Daily update from GOV.UK.

Department for Education

British schools overseas inspection scheme

Page summary:
What British schools overseas need to know about the voluntary inspection scheme and available support.

Change made:
Updated ‘Approved inspectorates’ section.

Guidance for full opening: special schools and other specialist settings

Page summary:
What all special schools and other specialist settings will need to do during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

Change made:
‘Guidance for special schools, specialist post-16 providers and alternative provision during the national lockdown’ updated with information about attendance, recording and remote education expectations.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) asymptomatic testing for staff in primary schools and nurseries

Page summary:
Information on rapid asymptomatic coronavirus (COVID-19) testing for staff in primary schools, school-based nurseries and maintained nursery schools.

First published.

Keeping children safe in education

Page summary:
Statutory guidance for schools and colleges on safeguarding children and safer recruitment.

Change made:
Updated ‘Keeping children safe in education – for schools and colleges’ to reflect legal changes following EU exit, including guidance on checking the past conduct of individuals who have lived or worked overseas.

National free school meals voucher scheme opens to orders

Page summary:
Edenred site opens for schools to purchase eGift cards for eligible families to use at their choice of supermarkets

First published.

Attendance in education and early years settings during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak – 23 March 2020 to 14 January 2021

Page summary:
A summary of attendance in education and early years settings up to 14 January 2021.

First published.

Attendance in education and early years settings during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak

Page summary:
Attendance in education settings since Monday 23 March and early years settings since Thursday 16 April.

Change made:
Added ‘Attendance in education and early years settings during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak – 23 March 2020 to 14 January 2021’

Coronavirus (COVID-19): reducing burdens on educational and care settings

Page summary:
List of data collections, services or requests which will be cancelled, paused or will continue.

Change made:
Updated list of data collections, services or requests that are available, closed or paused.

Coronavirus (COVID-19): financial support for education, early years and children’s social care

Page summary:
Funding and financial support available for education, childcare and children’s social care organisations.

Actions for FE colleges and providers during the coronavirus outbreak

Page summary:
Find out what you’ll need to do during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak to maintain provision.

Change made:
Guidance updated following the Public Health England statement on daily contact testing and to add information on supporting students with special educational needs in special post-16 institutions.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) asymptomatic testing in schools and colleges

Page summary:
Information for schools and colleges about testing from January.

Change made:
Guidance updated following the PHE position statement on daily contact testing.

Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy

Act now to keep your business moving in 2021, Business Minister urges

Page summary:
Business Minister Paul Scully is urging businesses who have not yet taken steps to prepare for the UK’s new start to act now.

First published.

Coronavirus (COVID-19): letter to all postmasters, January 2021

Page summary:
Letter from the Minister for Small Business, Consumers and Corporate Responsibility, Paul Scully, to all postmasters, their staff and Post Office employees.

First published.

Competition law exclusion orders relating to coronavirus (COVID-19)

Page summary:
A register of agreements relating to exclusion orders made by powers under paragraph 7 of Schedule 3 to The Competition Act 1998.

Change made:
Added agreement: Independent Healthcare Providers Network (HE04): notification – 16 December 2020.

Government tackles late payments to small firms to protect jobs

Page summary:
Reforms to the Prompt Payment Code announced today, encouraging companies to stand by smaller suppliersFirst published.

COVID-19: Guidance for small marriages and civil partnerships

Page summary:
Guidance for people planning to get married or form a civil partnership in England.

Change made:
Guidance for small marriages and civil partnerships updated to reflect the revised national lockdown regulations which came into force on 6 January 2021.

Check if your business is eligible for a coronavirus grant due to national restrictions (for closed businesses)

Page summary:
The Local Restrictions Support Grants (LRSG (Closed) Addendum) support businesses that have been required to close due to the national restrictions.

Change made:
Updated with details of grants available during the national restriction period from 5 January 2021 onwards. The subsidy control / state aid conditions for this scheme have not changed following the end of the transition period on 31 December 2020: more information will be available shortly.

Check if your business is eligible for the coronavirus Closed Businesses Lockdown Payment

Page summary:
The Closed Businesses Lockdown Payment (CBLP) supports businesses that have been required to close due to the national restrictions beginning 5 January 2021.

First published.

Check if you’re eligible for the coronavirus Additional Restrictions Grant

Page summary:
The Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) supports businesses that are not covered by other grant schemes or where additional funding is needed.