FOUR out of five of Scotland’s construction employers have backed the Construction industry Training Board’s proposed levy rate – alongside calls for reform.
The vote showed strong support for the CITB’s continued levy-raising powers, across employers of all sizes in Scotland, England and Wales.
Fourteen construction federations and 4000 non-federation represented employers were asked whether they support the proposed levy rate, as part of the board’s three-yearly consensus process.
The proposed levy rate for this year was set at 0.35 per cent for all PAYE employers, down from 0.5 per cent in previous years.
The subcontractor NET CIS rate remains at 1.25 per cent.
Final results from the independent employer survey show that in Scotland, 79.1 per cent of employers surveyed supported the levy, compared to 71.2 per cent in England. Across the three nations, 10 out of the 14 federations voted
in favour of the levy. Meanwhile, 72.4 per cent of employers supported the levy and 66.1 per cent supported the revised levy rates.
Ian Hughes, CITB partnerships director for Scotland, said: “The consensus process this year has been rigorous, robust and inclusive.
“The results are clear – construction firms across Scotland see the need for a modern training organisation and it’s very encouraging to see we have the continued support of the industry for the next three years.”
CITB chief executive Sarah Beale said: “While we have been broadly supported by our industry, we recognise its calls for radical change.”
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