Change Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) rules to grant Gross Payment Status by default to CIS-registered companies. Start a penalty point system, removing gross status after repeated non-compliance. Remove the turnover requirement for gross status, make it available to every construction company.

We think Construction businesses operate on tight margins with substantial cash flow pressures. The current CIS system deducts 20% upfront, which we think treats businesses as expecting to be non-compliant until proven otherwise. We think HMRC refund delays amplify financial pressure, affecting business stability & wasting HMRC resources processing refunds. We think default Gross Payment Status could ease cash flow, reward compliance, improve efficiency, reduce admin for HMRC & businesses, support investment, job creation & growth.