Background
Companies House is an executive agency of the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (BIST). It incorporates and dissolves limited companies, registers company information and makes that information available to the public. Businesses, public bodies and others use this information to support decision-making.
The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 has expanded Companies House’s role. It gives Companies House new powers to query and reject information, carry out additional checks, and share information with law enforcement and other public authorities. The phased introduction of mandatory identity verification requirements began on 18 November 2025, with further reforms planned.
Scope
This report will examine reforms to Companies House that are being introduced under Part 1 of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCTA).
We will examine:
- how effectively Companies House is implementing its reform programme
- whether Companies House’s reforms are improving the quality, reliability and usefulness of the register
- how effectively Companies House is working with others to help tackle economic crime
NAO team
Director: Leena Mathew
Audit Manager: Sohila Sawhney