Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what assessment he has made of issues with the identity verification process with Companies House, particularly the impact on charities.

The identity verification requirements introduced under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 apply only to charities that are incorporated as companies limited by guarantee. In these circumstances, trustees are required to verify their identity as company directors.

Companies House provides support to assist individuals in completing the identity verification process, including trustees of charitable companies, and monitor user insight to inform continuous improvement of their guidance and services.

Trustees of Charitable Incorporated Organisations (CIOs) are not required to verify their identity for Companies House purposes, as CIOs are not incorporated or registered under the Companies Act framework.