Starting from Monday (4 March), Companies House is employing new, stronger powers to enhance data accuracy and combat misuse of the companies register in accordance with the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023. These initial changes include:
- Enhanced authority to verify information and demand evidence.
- Stricter checks on company names.
- Rules mandating an official address for companies, prohibiting PO Box addresses.
- A requirement for companies to provide a registered email address.
- A necessity for company founders to attest to their lawful intent at incorporation and for companies to declare their future activities as lawful in their confirmation statement.
- Increased ability to correct or remove incorrect information.
- Improved data sharing with government departments and law enforcement.
Additional criminal offences and civil penalties will support these measures.
The gradual introduction of these powers aims to reduce the impact on legitimate businesses, with many updates incorporated into standard reporting processes, such as the annual confirmation statement.
Companies House CEO Louise Smyth said:
"These new and enhanced powers are the most significant change for Companies House in our 180-year history.
"As we start to crack down on abuse of the register, we are prioritising cases where people's names and addresses have been used without their consent. It will now be much quicker and easier to report and remove personal information that has been misused.
"This will make a real difference to individuals."
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