Companies House: resources and updates

Companies House is an executive agency, sponsored by the Department for Business and Trade. Companies House incorporates and dissolves limited companies; it registers company information and makes it available to the public.  

Companies House drives confidence in the economy and makes the UK a great place to start and run a business. The data on Companies House registers informs business decisions, supports growth and combats economic crime.  

The first measures under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (‘ECCT Act’) came into force on Monday 4 March 2024.  

Following the introduction of these measures, we are providing helpful resources and updates for ACCA members.

Changes at a glance

The first measures under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCT Act) came into force on Monday 4 March 2024.  

New measures introduced from 4 March 2024 include:  

• greater powers to query information and request supporting evidence  
• stronger checks on company names  
• new rules for registered office addresses. All companies must have an appropriate address at all times. They will not be able to use a PO Box as their registered office address  
• a requirement for all companies to supply a registered email address  
• a requirement for subscribers to confirm they’re forming a company for a lawful purpose when they incorporate, and for a company to confirm its intended future activities will be lawful on its confirmation statement  
• greater powers to tackle and remove factually inaccurate information  
• the ability to share data with other government departments and law enforcement agencies.   

New criminal offences and civil penalties will complement these measures.  

For more information on any of these measures please visit Changes to UK company law  or watch Companies House's video.

Companies House resources

UK company law changes at a glance

What you need to know about changes to UK company law (video)

Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023: the story so far (video)

Fees update