PROFITEERING construction bosses are continuing to dodge paying national insurance contributions and income tax by falsely classifying workers as “self-employed,” according to construction union Ucatt.

HMRC figures show that in the last two financial years people receiving Construction Industry Scheme payments have increased by 7 per cent. The vast majority of people receiving these payments are not genuinely self-employed, says the union.

In 2012 research undertaken by Ucatt revealed that false self-employment was costing the UK Exchequer £1.9 billion per annum.

Acting general secretary Brian Rye said: “These figures lay bare the sorry mish-mash of the UK construction industry.

“There needs to be a fundamental reform of the industry to ensure that workers are either employees paid by standard PAYE (pay as you earn taxation) methods or are genuinely self-employed.”