The move reflects the CITB, Levy Strategy Committee, three Nation Councils and the 14 Prescribed Organisations’ ongoing commitment to ensuring that the Levy system operates fairly and equitably across the construction industry.

A new anonymous online reporting system has been introduced as part of CITB’s commitment to addressing the issue of Levy-registered employers passing on the Levy to subcontractors.

This platform is designed to help end the practice by better understanding its scale and gathering valuable insights.

Subcontractors affected by these deductions can use the platform to publicly and anonymously report instances.

For those who wish for further action, CITB can contact the contractors involved and formally request that they cease making deductions.

This initiative is part of a broad effort to ensure fairness across the construction industry and uphold the integrity of the Levy system.

CITB is committed to supporting subcontractors and ensuring all industry participants are treated equitably.

The Levy is imposed on Levy-registered construction employers who meet the criteria and is used to fund training and skills development within the industry.

Contractors are not authorised to deduct money from workers’ wages (PAYE and Net CIS) on CITB’s behalf.

However, there have been instances of construction businesses or principal contractors ‘passing on the Levy’ to their subcontractors to raise funds to pay their own Levy.

Now more than ever, a fair Levy system is needed to ensure that CITB can play its vital role in upskilling and training the construction workforce, providing access to funding for every registered employer and helping the industry deliver to the highest standards with the necessary knowledge and experience.

CITB is focused on maintaining a level playing field in which all Levy-registered employers contribute appropriately to industry training and development without shifting undue financial burdens onto often smaller businesses.

In highlighting the negative impact of passing on the Levy, CITB is encouraging industry-wide self-regulation with a cooperative effort to ensure fair practice.