Coronavirus (Non-Politics)

[RHB]

What the budget means for Covid

Coronavirus support

• Furlough to be extended until the end of September
• Government to continue paying 80% of employees' wages for hours they cannot work
• Employers to be asked to contribute 10% in July and 20% in August and September
• Support for the self-employed also to be extended until September
• 600,000 more self-employed people will be eligible for help as access to grants is widened
• £20 uplift in Universal Credit worth £1,000 a year to be extended for another six months
• Working Tax Credit claimants will get £500 one-off payment
• Minimum wage to increase to £8.91 an hour from April

 

[blueblueblue]

What the budget means for Covid

Coronavirus support

• Furlough to be extended until the end of September
• Government to continue paying 80% of employees' wages for hours they cannot work
• Employers to be asked to contribute 10% in July and 20% in August and September
• Support for the self-employed also to be extended until September
• 600,000 more self-employed people will be eligible for help as access to grants is widened
• £20 uplift in Universal Credit worth £1,000 a year to be extended for another six months
• Working Tax Credit claimants will get £500 one-off payment
• Minimum wage to increase to £8.91 an hour from April

None of this lockdown is ideal for anyone, I'm just not sure what else the Gov can do to help almost everyone.

I heard yesterday that Businesses are to be given financial support from this weeks budget which will be announced today?

A few things I've noticed over this last year, the dustmen work so hard even through the first lockdown when we knew nothing about what was going on, they were still out doing a good job.

As for the streets, they really are a mess, has anyone else noticed this? I get why, with the whole Covid thing, it's just an obseration how dirty they are with rubbish (especially food waste) and dead leaves blocking drains eg. With people not out at night, the foxes are having a field day and must think it's Christmas

 

[Cockle43]

I think a 'work from where you want' type model is going to come into effect for many jobs. I hope my particular company goes this way (I'm already a remote worker who travelled quite a lot for business and spent 3 days a month down in London at HQ). I think people want the flexibility to work from home more often, but without completely losing out on the benefits of the office. Also it's so much better and easier to onboard in person and entry-level jobs really do benefit from being office based, at least initially. I think we'll see offices becoming a bit more like hotel facilities, where you have large meeting spaces, hot desk areas, client hosting facilities, and then a much smaller back office team. my team could meet for 2-3 days each month face to face and then be remote for the rest of the time.

It's important to remember that a lot of the changes that we've seen during the pandemic have widened many forms of inequality. The poorer paid and younger typically don't have the space to work from home comfortably, and by working from home you're making more people work in unpleasant situations, e.g. zero-hour delivery drivers, grey-economy takeaway services etc.

I hope a general change is that there's an increased focus on community and events/activities, and less focus on pure materialism. Hopefully people will have a new found respect for the outdoors, green spaces, and the environment. Local pubs and community run places will hopefully be more supported. I really hope towns and suburbs develop community centres for home workers which will have economic benefits.

I used to fly a lot with work but expect that will change and reduce, which is a bit of a shame because I generally enjoyed it, but it's definitely good for the environment if we reduce the amount of unnecessary air travel.

I think that's a pretty fair appraisal of what the determining factors will be.

I am someone who has spent years working either as a singleton or in a pair in some remote-ish locations so personal loneliness is something I'm used to and had quite a spell of home based working in the past so I was used to it and have really seen little difference in that side of things. Conversely, my wife can't wait to get back into her office as she is missing the day to day contact with her colleagues outside of her work contact, she can function perfectly well with her work but misses that social interaction that makes her work seem so rewarding. For her it is more than just being in the office, there is a social side to it as well, even it's just being able to pop out for a lunchtime coffee with a different face each day.

Some, obviously, have seen the financial benefit of not having to commute into London, several thousands of pounds a year in their bank account rather than in C2C or Greater Anglia's. Add to that if that income is being disposed along with their normal spending in their day to day needs, coffees, sandwiches, etc, is being spent in the local economy then that goes to making localities more buoyant.

One thing that probably hasn't been touched on so much is the financial bottom line for the employers. My son works for a major multi-national financial player in London, they have several large buildings in the city. One is in a very desirable location not too far from Trafalgar Square, it must be worth an absolute fortune in real estate terms, musings are already being made along the lines of do they 'really need' so many high value points of presence in areas of very expensive real estate and can that value be realised and put back into the company. I can see that bottom line being very much a player in how they shape the future of work for their employees. An additional factor may be that his team has had their best year for performance results wise and best productivity in a long while; that coupled with a reduction in estates costs will make those decisions for themselves.
I know of many other major companies who are looking at exactly the same financials and coming to some very similar conclusions about what they need to seriously consider. Even the rail companies are looking to plan for reduced demand going forward, I've heard figures of demand likely to be 80% of the previous demand.

Whatever happens some of the changes we've seen over the last year were probably going to come over a longer term, it's just glaring because it has happened so quickly. The remodelling and repurposing of High Streets across the country will be a case in point; the model of large multiples will be largely gone or going. Smaller retail with residential above will become far more common almost going back to the old days of the shopkeeper and their family living 'over the shop'; it'll just be that it may not be the shopkeeper living 'over the shop' but someone will be. Housing is needed and space over shops is sitting empty... for the freeholders leasehold/rental income is income, doesn't really matter whether it is retail or residential.

One thing is sure, society will be different, possibly very different.

 

[blueblueblue]

I think that's a pretty fair appraisal of what the determining factors will be.

I am someone who has spent years working either as a singleton or in a pair in some remote-ish locations so personal loneliness is something I'm used to and had quite a spell of home based working in the past so I was used to it and have really seen little difference in that side of things. Conversely, my wife can't wait to get back into her office as she is missing the day to day contact with her colleagues outside of her work contact, she can function perfectly well with her work but misses that social interaction that makes her work seem so rewarding. For her it is more than just being in the office, there is a social side to it as well, even it's just being able to pop out for a lunchtime coffee with a different face each day.

Some, obviously, have seen the financial benefit of not having to commute into London, several thousands of pounds a year in their bank account rather than in C2C or Greater Anglia's. Add to that if that income is being disposed along with their normal spending in their day to day needs, coffees, sandwiches, etc, is being spent in the local economy then that goes to making localities more buoyant.

One thing that probably hasn't been touched on so much is the financial bottom line for the employers. My son works for a major multi-national financial player in London, they have several large buildings in the city. One is in a very desirable location not too far from Trafalgar Square, it must be worth an absolute fortune in real estate terms, musings are already being made along the lines of do they 'really need' so many high value points of presence in areas of very expensive real estate and can that value be realised and put back into the company. I can see that bottom line being very much a player in how they shape the future of work for their employees. An additional factor may be that his team has had their best year for performance results wise and best productivity in a long while; that coupled with a reduction in estates costs will make those decisions for themselves.
I know of many other major companies who are looking at exactly the same financials and coming to some very similar conclusions about what they need to seriously consider. Even the rail companies are looking to plan for reduced demand going forward, I've heard figures of demand likely to be 80% of the previous demand.

Whatever happens some of the changes we've seen over the last year were probably going to come over a longer term, it's just glaring because it has happened so quickly. The remodelling and repurposing of High Streets across the country will be a case in point; the model of large multiples will be largely gone or going. Smaller retail with residential above will become far more common almost going back to the old days of the shopkeeper and their family living 'over the shop'; it'll just be that it may not be the shopkeeper living 'over the shop' but someone will be. Housing is needed and space over shops is sitting empty... for the freeholders leasehold/rental income is income, doesn't really matter whether it is retail or residential.

One thing is sure, society will be different, possibly very different.

This is a well thought out post, I couldn't agree more, we're going to have to get use to living in a different world.

 

[Cockle43]

Don't we still have the mystery Brazilian carrier on the lose?.......All sounds very exciting and should keep us all focused on the danger.

Yes, that's an interesting one.

Person comes into the country and fails to fill out contact details on the form and then disappears off the face of the earth...

In the UK? In the 21st century? Really?

He/she must have filled in all their details to fly, anyone tried flying without giving your API info in advance?
They must have had a passport so their name must be known.
They must have an address on their passport, at least when it was issued.
They must have used a bank or credit card to book the flight, the bank must have an address and probably a mobile number.
If they have got that mobile, unless it has been turned off since they disappeared, then it is pinging cell sites all over the place.
If they have a car then it is pinging ANPR sites all over. If they've dumped that car and grabbed a hire car then DVLA will have a record of the hire company getting a licence verification.
If they're not using their bank or credit card for purchases then they must have drawn cash from somewhere, ATM or cashback, the bank will have details.

So this individual has managed to circumvent every way that we are all traceable by in every day life. If they've done all that then they have much more to hide than just not having filled a form in...

 

[Massimo Giovanni]

@Cockle43 my guess would be person has been or is about to be "captured" and hit with as big fine as possible. The person will know it was him/her and is avoiding the catch up. Also there will be mass testing plans for contact areas from that persons area and plan to contain it and any panic when revealed re person and location.
Also some arrrrrsecovering for the arrival forms and quarantine mishaps.
And if it is going to court few details will be in public domain so as not to prejudice proceedings.

 

[jackj13]

Lowest number of cases reported on a Wednesday since 23rd September today. Going down at a very quick rate now. Good news.

 

[rigsby]

@****le43 my guess would be person has been or is about to be "captured" and hit with as big fine as possible. The person will know it was him/her and is avoiding the catch up. Also there will be mass testing plans for contact areas from that persons area and plan to contain it and any panic when revealed re person and location.
Also some arrrrrsecovering for the arrival forms and quarantine mishaps.
And if it is going to court few details will be in public domain so as not to prejudice proceedings.

How would anyone know they are "wanted" until they were contacted. As Cockle says you would leave huge footprints before the Brazillian was even announce on the MSM.

I can smell it from here.

 

[kaymac]

Excuse me? I must admit I don’t know about the Isle of Man vaccine rollout. But this is a public forum and I’m entitled to my opinion.

Tell you what, I’ll send a letter to Bojo to ask if he’ll let you out of lockdown earlier than everyone else since apparently (as per your often repeated opinions on ‘the vulnerable‘) we are all totally safe now that one third of the total UK population has been vaccinated and no-one else is at any risk whatsoever. Just give me the nod......happy to help you out....

 

[Massimo Giovanni]

How would anyone know they are "wanted" until they were contacted. As ****le says you would leave huge footprints before the Brazillian was even announce on the MSM.

I can smell it from here.

They read the news paper?
They know they have flown in from South America?
They did a test and hadn't had a result?
They filled the form in badly because they didn't want to isolate?
They have friends/relatives/employers who know their movements and read papers?
They are unwell?
@rigsby; if they are ducking the rules for entering UK from proscribed country they, he or she, is probably very aware of it. it is quite a thing to notice? more than missing your station or stop on a bus.

 

[jackj13]

Tell you what, I’ll send a letter to Bojo to ask if he’ll let you out of lockdown earlier than everyone else since apparently (as per your often repeated opinions on ‘the vulnerable‘) we are all totally safe now that one third of the total UK population has been vaccinated and no-one else is at any risk whatsoever. Just give me the nod......happy to help you out....

Please do. As it’s not just me. It’s thousands of others who have businesses on the brink and mental health issues brought on by lockdown. With the figures we have no reason why we can’t start releasing it with restrictions we had before. We have figures now similar to September last year and over 20 million vaccinated.

 

[jackj13]

Oh and this. The most likely to be admitted to hospital are being prevented from being admitted to hospital.

Pfizer and Oxford Covid vaccines 'working better than we could have hoped'

Recent study of over-80s in Bristol found jabs radically cut chance of most vulnerable being admitted to hospital

www.telegraph.co.uk

 

[Massimo Giovanni]

@jackj13, I do understand your points, and if, IF, more people followed the rules, considered the guidelines and intentions, didn't, for example, drive 50 miles to have a walk or camp on cliffs, then relaxing rules on the basis that people would apply good reasoned sense would be on the way BUT unfortunately, and in too big numbers, there are folks who think no further than their next buzz and feck any consequence.
I sorely miss my pints and long days out with pub lunches and tea stops etc. And hope those businesses survive these difficult times.

 

[rigsby]

They read the news paper?
They know they have flown in from South America?
They did a test and hadn't had a result?
They filled the form in badly because they didn't want to isolate?
They have friends/relatives/employers who know their movements and read papers?
They are unwell?
@rigsby; if they are ducking the rules for entering UK from proscribed country they, he or she, is probably very aware of it. it is quite a thing to notice? more than missing your station or stop on a bus.

The phantom on the run is a much better story. You can tell the public anything.

 

[jackj13]

@jackj13, I do understand your points, and if, IF, more people followed the rules, considered the guidelines and intentions, didn't, for example, drive 50 miles to have a walk or camp on cliffs, then relaxing rules on the basis that people would apply good reasoned sense would be on the way BUT unfortunately, and in too big numbers, there are folks who think no further than their next buzz and feck any consequence.
I sorely miss my pints and long days out with pub lunches and tea stops etc. And hope those businesses survive these difficult times.

I would agree with you if the cases and deaths figures weren’t currently falling off the edge of a cliff and through the floor.

 

[Leigh_Seasider]

I would agree with you if the cases and deaths figures weren’t currently falling off the edge of a cliff and through the floor.

Let’s hope that remains the case when schools go back.

 

[General]

Please do. As it’s not just me. It’s thousands of others who have businesses on the brink and mental health issues brought on by lockdown. With the figures we have no reason why we can’t start releasing it with restrictions we had before. We have figures now similar to September last year and over 20 million vaccinated.

Don’t worry, kaymac just comes along with an odd comment and then will dissapear again!

I think the problem many have is that we are allowing schools to re-open in one foul swoop (and look how badly that went in Sept!) but I can’t go out and play a round of golf with my mate/s or my 3yo can’t go and see his grandparents at the park! It’s totally contradictory and it’s my biggest bug bear. Fair enough if they gov want to push opening schools but do it in a controlled and sensible manner, like they are doing with everything else.

Numbers are dropping away and it’ll go on like that for another 2 Weeks. Be interesting to keep an eye on the Welsh numbers from this time next week after they re-opened schools this week..

 

[jackj13]

Don’t worry, kaymac just comes along with an odd comment and then will dissapear again!

I think the problem many have is that we are allowing schools to re-open in one foul swoop (and look how badly that went in Sept!) but I can’t go out and play a round of golf with my mate/s or my 3yo can’t go and see his grandparents at the park! It’s totally contradictory and it’s my biggest bug bear. Fair enough if they gov want to push opening schools but do it in a controlled and sensible manner, like they are doing with everything else.

Numbers are dropping away and it’ll go on like that for another 2 Weeks. Be interesting to keep an eye on the Welsh numbers from this time next week after they re-opened schools this week..

Haha ok. I do agree with what you say completely. Tbh none of it have has made much sense the whole way through, although these are unprecedented times.

I can understand the cautiousness it’s just when you look at the data when we had these levels before we had less restrictions and we have the vaccine now. For example I saw earlier that every region in the country is now under what the threshold was for the old tiers 1&2.

But I agree the next few weeks will be very telling. If the numbers continue to fall at the rate they are will be very interesting to see what happens.

 

[Member]

Haha ok. I do agree with what you say completely. Tbh none of it have has made much sense the whole way through, although these are unprecedented times.

I can understand the cautiousness it’s just when you look at the data when we had these levels before we had less restrictions and we have the vaccine now. For example I saw earlier that every region in the country is now under what the threshold was for the old tiers 1&2.

But I agree the next few weeks will be very telling. If the numbers continue to fall at the rate they are will be very interesting to see what happens.

It’s the concern about variants which makes things different this time, compared to last year. If a variant emerges and takes hold that is more transmissible, more deadly, and resistant to vaccines, then we’re in real trouble.

 

[GNH]

It’s the concern about variants which makes things different this time, compared to last year. If a variant emerges and takes hold that is more transmissible, more deadly, and resistant to vaccines, then we’re in real trouble.

That will be the case forever more unless it's eradicated, which i believe is unlikely. You cannot be suggesting that we remain under restrictions until it's gone completely?

If a VOC emerges that looks to evade the vaccine another can be modified quickly to combat that. A new VOC is not going to be compleley able to evade the vaccine so the modification will enable a vaccine to be delivered while we carry on fully open.

This must be the way we deal with this virus. what we are currently doing is madness for any longer