The training board for the construction industry, CITB, has announced it will suspend its levy payments for an initial period of three months.
CITB's board met this week and gave final approval to suspend levy contributions in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. The bills will subsequently be issued for the full year.
In normal times, CITB sends out levy bills to companies each April in accordance with legal requirements. CITB levy bills are usually due for payment in May, but CITB will not seek collection on the suspended bills until August, or later if possible.
Industry asked for this suspension to provide much-needed relief to construction companies of all sizes during this public health emergency.
Chief executive of the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) Brian Berry said: 'I welcome this important step from the CITB to give another boost of support to our construction workforce, especially the SMEs that make up 99% of the industry. While firms will have to pay these levy contributions eventually, builders are facing urgent cashflow issues today and this decision by CITB will ease the immediate pressure.'
Alasdair Reisner, chief executive of the Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA) said: 'We want CITB to keep this situation under review and continue to act to support industry.
'The shape of future support will vary depending on how this pandemic develops and will go a long way to ensuring the construction industry is able to play its full part in returning the economy to growth once we've won the war against Covid-19.'
