Covid-19 - New Guidance Etc from the Government of Relevance to Local Authorities

List of new Government publications updated regularly

The virus has led to the Government producing a great deal of information and guidance, of varying degrees of formality. It is not easy to keep track of it all.

The following is a list of some useful websites covering this (and related) material, and then a list of material by publication date, followed by a weblink. Please note that the list by date order will not be complete. I will try to update it regularly. Other documents of particular relevance may be included in the list (e.g. the European Commission’s Temporary State Aid Framework of 19^th March). Proposals for inclusion are very welcome – please contact peter.oldham@11kbw.com. The earlier versions of documents amended after 25^th March are not shown.

Useful Websites

For guidance aimed at local government

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-for-local-government

For guidance for schools and educational settings

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-for-schools-and-other-educational-settings

For procurement

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/procurement-policy-notes#2020

For Department of Health and Social Care

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-of-health-and-social-care

For Public Health England

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance and

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/public-health-england

For information about Universal Credit

Coronavirus and claiming benefits

For more general documentation from the Government about the crisis

https://www.gov.uk/government/latest?topical_events%5B%5D=coronavirus-covid-19-uk-government-response

For Parliamentary material on the Coronavirus Act 2020

https://services.parliament.uk/Bills/2019-21/coronavirus/documents.html

The Local Government Association has an extremely informative, broad and helpful collection of material at https://www.local.gov.uk/our-support/coronavirus-information-councils. This includes a section at https://www.local.gov.uk/our-support/coronavirus-information-councils/covid-19-statutory-council-duties dealing with particular functions by alphabetical order.

Publication of Material by Date Order

9^th March

News story – Taskforce to bolster local response to coronavirus

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/taskforce-to-bolster-local-response-to-coronavirus

16^th March

Press release – Robert Jenrick reaffirms support for councils in their coronavirus response

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/robert-jenrick-reaffirms-support-for-councils-in-their-coronavirus-response

17^th March

Press release – £3.2 million emergency support for rough sleepers during coronavirus outbreak

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/3-2-million-emergency-support-for-rough-sleepers-during-coronavirus-outbreak

Press release – Government to grant permission for pubs and restaurants to operate as takeaways as part of coronavirus response

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-to-grant-permission-for-pubs-and-restaurants-to-operate-as-takeaways-as-part-of-coronavirus-response

18^th March

Press release – Complete ban on evictions and additional protection for renters

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/complete-ban-on-evictions-and-additional-protection-for-renters

Procurement Policy Note 01/20: Responding to COVID-19

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/procurement-policy-note-0120-responding-to-covid-19

19^th March

EU Commission Temporary State Aid Framework

https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/IP_20_496

Guidance – Responding to COVID-19: the ethical framework for adult social care

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-ethical-framework-for-adult-social-care/responding-to-covid-19-the-ethical-framework-for-adult-social-care

News story – £2.9 billion funding to strengthen care for the vulnerable

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/2-9-billion-funding-to-strengthen-care-for-the-vulnerable

Guidance – COVID-19: guidance on residential care provision

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-residential-care-supported-living-and-home-care-guidance/covid-19-guidance-on-residential-care-provision

Guidance – COVID-19: guidance for supported living provision

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-residential-care-supported-living-and-home-care-guidance/covid-19-guidance-for-supported-living-provision

Guidance – COVID-19: guidance on home care provision

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-residential-care-supported-living-and-home-care-guidance/covid-19-guidance-on-home-care-provision

Guidance – Coronavirus (COVID-19): maintaining educational provision

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-educational-provision

Guidance – COVID-19: free school meals guidance

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-free-school-meals-guidance

20^th March

Business Rates Nursery Discount 2020/21: Coronavirus Response – Local Authority Guidance

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/874284/Nursery_discount_guidance.pdf

Guidance – Closure of educational settings: information for parents and carers

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/closure-of-educational-settings-information-for-parents-and-carers

Guidance – Coronavirus (COVID-19): cancellation of GCSEs, AS and A levels in 2020

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-cancellation-of-gcses-as-and-a-levels-in-2020

Guidance – Procurement Policy Note 02/20: Supplier relief due to COVID-19

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/procurement-policy-note-0220-supplier-relief-due-to-covid-19

21^st March

Press release – Major new measures to protect people at highest risk from coronavirus

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/major-new-measures-to-protect-people-at-highest-risk-from-coronavirus

Guidance – Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance on isolation for residential educational settings

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-on-isolation-for-residential-educational-settings

22^nd March

Guidance – COVID-19: school closures

23^rd March

COVID-19: guidance on isolation for domestic abuse safe-accommodation settings

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/874568/COVID-19_-_guidance_on_isolation_for_domestic_abuse_safe-accommodation_settings.pdf

Press release – Extra protection for businesses with ban on evictions for commercial tenants who miss rent payments

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/extra-protection-for-businesses-with-ban-on-evictions-for-commercial-tenants-who-miss-rent-payments

Guidance – Coronavirus (COVID-19): maintaining further education provision

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-further-education-provision

Guidance – Coronavirus (COVID-19): apprenticeship programme response

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-apprenticeship-programme-response

Correspondence – Coronavirus (COVID-19): letter from the Minister of State for Care to recruitment agencies

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-letter-from-the-minister-of-state-for-care-to-recruitment-agencies

24th March

COVID-19 outbreak – councillor guidance

https://www.local.gov.uk/covid-19-outbreak-councillor-guidance

Council Tax COVID-19 hardship fund 2020-21 – Local Authority Guidance

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/874867/COVID-19_Council_Tax_Hardship_Fund_Guidance.pdf

COVID-19 advice for accommodation providers

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/covid-19-advice-for-accommodation-providers

Guidance – Coronavirus (COVID-19): implementing social distancing in education and childcare settings

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-implementing-social-distancing-in-education-and-childcare-settings

Guidance

Guidance on shielding and protecting people defined on medical grounds as extremely vulnerable from COVID-19

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19

Guidance – COVID-19: support for businesses

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19/covid-19-support-for-businesses

25^th March

Grant Funding Schemes Small Business Grant Fund and Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund Guidance Version 2 (new para 17)

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/875348/small-business-grant-fund-and-retail-guidance-v2.pdf

Business Rates Expanded Retail Discount 2020/21: Coronavirus Response – Local Authority Guidance (updated to include formerly excluded, but forced to close)

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/875613/Expanded_Retail_Discount_Guidance_25.03.20.doc.pdf

COVID-19: guidance for hostel or day centre providers of services for people experiencing rough sleeping

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/3-2-million-emergency-support-for-rough-sleepers-during-coronavirus-outbreak

Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Planning Inspectorate guidance – updated 25th March 2020 (cancellation of Planning Inspectorate’s site visits)

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-planning-inspectorate-guidance

Note the helpful collection of planning material on the same page

Guidance – Further businesses and premises to close: guidance and designation letter under the Health Protection etc Regs 2020

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/further-businesses-and-premises-to-close/further-businesses-and-premises-to-close-guidance

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/875104/DH_SOS_Designation_Letter.pdf

Guidance – Coronavirus (COVID-19): early years and childcare closures

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-early-years-and-childcare-closures/coronavirus-covid-19-early-years-and-childcare-closures

Guidance – COVID-19: guidance for educational settings