Confidence in the Companies Register is undermined by errors and inaccuracies. Companies House, an executive agency of the Department, maintains the Register of Companies for England and Wales. The size of the register is growing, which the Department considers reflects international trends and entrepreneurial activity. However, false statements, fake entries, errors and inaccuracies (such as fictional company directors, or individuals named without their consent) can be used to commit crime,...

Confidence in the Companies Register is undermined by errors and inaccuracies. Companies House, an executive agency of the Department, maintains the Register of Companies for England and Wales. The size of the register is growing, which the Department considers reflects international trends and entrepreneurial activity. However, false statements, fake entries, errors and inaccuracies (such as fictional company directors, or individuals named without their consent) can be used to commit crime, including fraud. Making a false declaration to Companies House has been a criminal offence since 2009 under the Companies Act 2006, but this legislation Type: recommendation | Number: 6 | Response status: not_accepted Government response: The government disagrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Most errors on the Companies Register are accidental rather than deliberate and are corrected before enforcement action reaches the prosecution stage. Historically courts have been reluctant to sanct