The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) has initiated its Consensus process to gather industry support for its Levy Proposals for the period 2026-29.

This process, conducted every three years, seeks feedback from Levy-paying employers on CITB's plans for generating the Levy and delivering skills and training to the construction sector.

The core focus of the 2026-29 Levy Proposals is to ensure that Levy exemption and reduction thresholds remain current and appropriate. The Consensus process will run from Monday 17 March to Friday 9 May 2025.

CITB's Levy Proposals include:

• PAYE: 0.35%

• Net paid (Taxable) CIS Sub-contractors: 1.25%

• Increasing the Levy Exemption threshold to £150,000, exempting companies with an employee payroll and net paid (taxable) CIS contractors below this amount.

-- Advertisement --

• Reducing the Levy Reduction threshold to £150,000 - £499,999, providing a 50% reduction for companies within this range.

The Consensus process involves a sample-based survey. Prescribed Organisations will gather views from their members, and an independent market research company, IFF, will survey a representative sample of 4,000 employers not part of a Prescribed Organisation. The results will be measured by the number of supportive employers and the amount of Levy paid by supportive employers.

In a move to address the issue of Levy-registered employers passing on the Levy to subcontractors, CITB has introduced a new anonymous online reporting system. This platform allows subcontractors to report instances of these deductions confidentially. CITB can then contact the contractors involved to request they cease these practices.

Tim Balcon, CEO at CITB, stated: "The Levy is designed to ensure that construction employers of all sizes feel supported with their skills and training needs. It plays a vital role in investing in the British construction industry, ensuring the development of a skilled workforce to meet the sector's current and future demands." He also noted that the publication of the Strategic Plan 2025-29 provides employers with a comprehensive overview of CITB's support for the industry.