Hudson Contract is calling on CITB to scrap this year’s levy collection as construction companies battle to stay afloat in the coronavirus crisis.

After lobbying led by Hudson, the industry training board finally announced a temporary suspension to the collection of levies due in 2020.

But the quango intends to collect the full amount for the year in spite of the financial distress faced by many firms.

The National Federation of Builders is also urging CITB to cancel the 2020 levy altogether and has written to chief executive Sarah Beale to plead the case for industry.

Richard Beresford, CEO of the NFB, said: “It is highly likely that many companies will not survive this crisis and it is therefore our collective duty to do everything possible to protect as many construction businesses as we can.

“I am grateful for the temporary suspension that CITB has announced in respect of collection of the 2020 levy but we must now go a step further.”

Hudson Contract will continue to press for greater assistance for construction SMEs, the lifeblood of the industry.

Ian Anfield, managing director, said: “CITB is sitting on a huge pile of cash in the bank but still wants to collect a training levy in full for this year.

“This shows how out of touch it is with industry opinion when it is supposed to gaining industry support for its levy-raising powers.”

Latest accounts show CITB has £65m cash at bank.