“Two Years is Too Long” – NFB issues verdict on CITB Consensus Delay

The National Federation of Builders (NFB) has expressed significant concern at the proposals issued today by CITB for supporting the industry’s training and skills delivery. The proposals suggest that the construction sector, which is taxed by CITB to support the delivery of training, will not hold its key consultation programme this year or next, despite major changes to its approach that the NFB is concerned to do sufficiently support the industry at arguably the most crucial time in its history.

In CITB’s plan, it will in effect collect 18 months of Levy over two years, representing a 25% reduction per year. The NFB welcomes the part-reduction in Levy, which it has been calling for since the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis, as it will undoubtedly help businesses with cash-flow during the fragile recovery period. However, the plan also raises significant governance and oversight questions as the CITB is set to spend almost £60m in reserves by the end of the financial year, leaving them perilously low at £8m despite cutting numerous funded programmes and projects.

The CITB has agreed with the Department for Education, counter to the NFB members’ wishes, to seek a new one year Levy Order without the consent of the industry, which it was due to do later this year. The CITB confirmed that it will seek another one year Levy Order in 2021, for the 2022-2023 financial year, again without the consent of industry.

The NFB recognises that CITB has listened in part to concerns that NFB members raised with the organisation, by allocating a greater amount of Skills and Training Fund resources to micro, smaller and medium sized businesses. The NFB maintains that this should be reflected in the approach the CITB takes to all skills and training delivery, in recognition of the fact that SMEs train 7 in 10 construction apprentices and constitute 90% of the trainers.

Commenting, Nick Sangwin, National Chair of the Federation of Builders said:

“The CITB has announced a major shake-up in its approach to delivering skills and training, cutting swathes of projects and programmes without giving industry any say in its approach, either this year or next. While the temporary cut in Levy is warmly welcomed and will be helpful, CITB’s plans for its future support of industry will be critical and must be put to industry. We cannot have a situation whereby the CITB avoids accountability at the most crucial time in our industry’s fragile recovery. Two years is too long to wait and we will be making that representation to the Government”.

#TwoYearsIsTooLong

National Federation of Builders

The National Federation of Builders is a United Kingdom trade association representing the interests of small and medium-sized building contractors in England and Wales.

You May Also Enjoy

Breaking News

Popping the Asking Price Bubble

Where in the Uk Can Buyers Snap Up Property Bargains and Where Properties Go for a Premium Above Asking Price   New research from fast selling property company, Upstix has uncovered the UK’s most surprising postcodes for snapping up a property at bargain prices this year, highlighting a widening gap between sellers’ expectations and the…
Read More
Rightmove logo
Breaking News

Highest demand to lease office space since pre-pandemic

The latest insights from the UK’s number one commercial property website Rightmove, reveals that the number of unique enquiries to lease office space is at its highest point since pre-pandemic, as businesses look for spaces that meet modern requirements. Demand to lease office space is 19% higher than the same period a year ago and…
Read More
Planning disputes on new build land
Estate Agent Talk

Planning consultations for major infrastructure to be streamlined

Robert Bruce, a planning and infrastructure partner at law firm Freeths LLP, said he: “Welcomed the change as a significant step to speeding up the DCO process and the focus on the quality and effectiveness of the consultation, rather than box ticking and a risk averse approach to pre-application consultation due to the current legal…
Read More
Breaking News

‘The property ladder pulls further away’ warns Open Property Group

For many first-time buyers across England, the dream of homeownership continues to slip further out of reach. Despite rising wages, soaring house prices are making it harder than ever to get on the property ladder. A leading UK professional house buying company ‘Open Property Group’ based in Buckinghamshire UK, has raised concerns over the ongoing…
Read More
Estate Agent Talk

How Long It Takes to Buy a House in the UK: 5 Common Delays That Can Slow Down Your Home Purchase

Wondering how long it takes to buy a house in the UK? The average timeline ranges from 8 to 22 weeks, but even that can stretch significantly due to unexpected delays, especially if you’re a first-time buyer or caught in a chain. That’s why working with experienced professionals like Belvoir — one of the UK’s…
Read More
Love or Hate Rightmove
Breaking News

Rightmove to host Renters’ Rights Bill webinar with Guild of Lettings

Rightmove is hosting a live and interactive webinar session with the Guild of Lettings to help agents get Renters’ Rights Ready. The webinar will take place from 10:00am – 11:00am on Wednesday 23rd April. Susie Crolla, Managing Director for the Guild of Lettings, will be joining Rightmove to help agents with questions they may have about…
Read More