CITB to suspend industry levy collection

Sarah Beale, chief executive, CITB

THE Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) has announced it will suspend the issue of its levy bills, due for payment in 2020, for at least three months to help firms deal with the impact of the coronavirus outbreak.

CITB said the bills will subsequently be issued for the full year, but that the delay will provide ‘immediate financial relief’ to construction employers.

Ordinarily, CITB assesses and sends out levy bills each April in accordance with legal requirements. The bills are usually due for payment in May, but CITB will not seek collection until August, or later if possible.

Sarah Beale, CITB chief executive said, “Everyone in construction is facing extreme pressure at the moment and it’s right that we provide the financial relief we can to protect employers and ensure that the industry is as prepared as possible for the economic recovery that will come when the crisis lifts.

“CITB is reviewing all of its work to respond to the rapidly changing skills needs of industry. We are continuing to re-evaluate our services, funding and grants to adapt them to meet industry’s changing priority needs.”