CITB Levy
CITB has announced important changes to the construction levy, first shared in June alongside the Skills Stability Plan, when CITB delayed Levy payments from May 2020 until September 2020. They also proposed a reduction on the 2021 to 2022 Levy rate, providing an overall saving of 25% across two years, to help businesses with cash flow. You can also use the Levy Calculator to see what your Levy may look like in relation to the 2020 Levy Return (for payment in 2021/22), to help you plan.
Online CITB Levy Calculator
CITB is providing an easy-to-use online Levy Calculator. The Calculator can provide a guide to organisations 2020 to 2021 Levy Assessment Notice based on the 2019 Levy Return (for the 2018/19 tax year). The Calculator can be accessed in English and Welsh on the CITB website. Please note, the actual amount payable will be based upon the 2019 Levy Assessment Notice that organisations will receive in the post this month.
To benefit from the extended period of interest-free direct debits, organisations will need to complete and return the direct debit mandate that will accompany the 2019 CITB Levy Assessment Notice. The first direct debit instalment is due by 28 September 2020. Existing Construction Levy direct debits will automatically switch to the new instalment plan.
More information can be found here. If you have an estimated Levy payment or need guidance on what to do, please click here.
New CITB short duration Pandemic Standard and supporting eCourse
CITB has developed a full Pandemic Standard with a FREE eCourse to follow in October. The nationally recognised certification will provide information on how to keep staff and customers safe, how to control the spread of a virus and an understanding of the requirements placed on businesses during a pandemic.
The ‘Setting up and operating a safe construction site during an epidemic or pandemic’ Standard has been rated as Grant Tier Zero, meaning it is not grant supported. Designed for managers and supervisors, but available to anyone wanting this certification, the free eCourse will be hosted on the CITB eCourses platform when it launches in October.
You can find more information about the Standard here.
CITB Grant changes and support for apprenticeships
With a significant reduction in CITB Levy income, it is important that they continue to scrutinise the grants provided so they deliver the greatest value to the construction industry.
One year on from the launch of the New CITB Apprentice Support Grant (NASG) pilot, research indicates that the £500 aid was not a key decision maker for those looking to take on an apprentice. With this in mind, and with considerable support now in place from other sources, CITB will be removing the New Apprentice Support Grant (NASG) from 1 September 2020.
The UK Government recently announced additional support, which will be extremely beneficial for both apprentices and employers in England. Employers who hire a new apprentice between 1 August 2020 and 31 January 2021 can apply for the following funding from 1 September 2020:
- £2,000 for each new apprentice aged 16 to 24
- £1,500 for each new apprentice aged 25 and over
CITB are in discussions with the Welsh and Scottish government about any further support they will be providing for apprentices, and we will continue to provide attendance and achievement grants for apprenticeships in England, Scotland and Wales.
Update to Covid-19 site safety checklist and forms
We continue to share guidance and signpost to the many sources of information available to help returning to work safely. As part of this, version 5.1 of the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) guidance and CITB’s Covid-19 checklist and forms are now available on the Urgent Messages page of our website. This includes updates for mandatory face masks in public places
