CITB CONSENSUS 2025
In March 2025, the National Association of Shopfitters and Interior Contractors (NAS) asked their membership to take part in the triennial survey on the CITB Levy Proposals for the 2026 Levy Order, to gauge our sectors views on whether they support proposals for the next Levy Order.
The project was managed by Amanda Scott, the NAS UK Skills Lead, and here are some of her key campaign headlines.
“The NAS Consensus Team has ensured the CITB Consensus 2025 survey of our prescribed organisations membership vote on the New Levy Order, was conducted in a transparent and thorough process, culminating in a formal response to the CITB that reflects the collective voice of our members. We developed an approved consensus survey plan and extensive communications project plan, utilised modern voting collation systems while all in line with the Reasonable Steps Regulations 2008.
Receiving a fantastic response from levy paying NAS member companies based in Scotland, Wales, and England, our official response rate was 52.3%.
In response to the question ‘Do you agree that the Levy Proposals are necessary to encourage adequate training in the construction industry?’ the NAS Levy Paying Company Membership issued the following result: YES 57.5% and NO 42.5%. Meaning the membership approves the CITB New Levy Order with a YES Return to the Consensus 2025 Question.”
The NAS is just one of 14 Prescribed Organisations (POs) and the CITB also surveys 4000 of its non-Prescribed Organisation levy paying employers during the consensus process.
A total of 67.2% of Levy payers backed the proposals, meeting the requirement for Consensus, which also mandates that supportive employers represent over 50% of the Levy payable – this figure stood at 72.0%. The results summary means: 12 out of 14 P0’S (89%) supported the proposals and among non-PO) employers, the agreement was highest among medium-sized business (78.5%) and strongest in Scotland (70.2%)
The New Levy Order for 20026-2029 means the levy rates remain unchanged at PAYE: 0.35% and Net Paid (taxable) CIS subcontractors: 1.25%. The Threshold will increase, meaning employers with a combined payroll and CIS payments under £50,000 will be exempt. Those between £150,000 and £499,999 will receive a 50% automatic discount.
These changes are aimed at continuing support for smaller employers while maintaining industry-wide investment in skills and training.
Amanda concludes, looking back from the last consensus return, there is a noticeable shift in the margins, 72% is a big mandate from the construction industry which perhaps can be attributed to a couple of key factors, the new CITB CEO and senior leadership team at the helm, increase engagement with PO leaders and the promise of the New Scope Order. For us at the NAS and IOC, yes there’s more for the CITB to deliver in partnership with us, to maximise a NAS levy return, to create solution based training provision plans, increase competence, bring in superior end-to-end support for the new generation and be conscientiously mindful that over 40% at the NAS do not support the CITB New Levy Order.
