The requirements for registering interests and information that has to be supplied is set out in Chapter 1 of the Code of Conduct and Guide to the Rules.

The Commissioner has issued an Advice Note on the transparency of registrations in response to questions raised by Members of Parliament. That Advice Note can be accessed here: advice-note-2023.01.11-2---transparency-of-registration.pdf

The Electoral Commission provides authoritative advice on the permissibility of donors.

The following paragraphs of Chapter 1 of the Code of Conduct and Guide to the Rules provide advice on the registration of interests received in the 12 months before a Members’ election and on the permissibility of donors.

1. Paragraph 5 of the Code of Conduct for Members of Parliament provides:

Members must fulfil conscientiously the requirements of the House in respect of the registration of interests in the Register of Members’ Financial Interests. New Members must register all their current financial interests, and any registrable benefits (other than earnings) received in the 12 months before their election within one month of their election, and Members must register any change in those registrable interests within 28 days.

2. The House therefore requires new Members, within one month of their election, to register all their current financial interests, and any registrable benefits (other than earnings) received in the 12 months before their election. After that, Members are required to register within 28 days any change in those registrable interests. Such a change includes both the acquisition of a new interest and the ceasing of any registered interest, for example because an employment has ceased or because a holding has reduced in value or been sold.

Permissible donors

19. Members must not accept any donations, loans, security or other support valued at over £500 from impermissible donors. They must also report them to the Electoral Commission within 30 days of receipt. The following are permissible donors:

• an individual registered in a UK electoral register (or a bequest from such an individual);
• a UK registered company which is incorporated within the EU and carries on business in the UK;
• a Great Britain registered political party;
• a UK registered trade union;
• a UK registered building society;
• a UK registered limited liability partnership that carries on business in the UK;
• a UK registered friendly society;
• a UK based unincorporated association that carries on business or other activities in the UK.

20. In addition, certain trusts may be permissible as donors, but not as lenders or providers of security or credit. Local councils are not permissible donors or lenders.

23. Before accepting any benefit over £500 which would require registration in this category (including a credit facility or a loan which exceeds £500 in value), Members are required to satisfy themselves that it is from a permissible donor, and to notify the Electoral Commission within 30 days of any impermissible donations.

The requirement to register donations in the 12 months before they are elected is set out in paragraphs 1 and 2 of Chapter 1 of the Code of Conduct and Guide to the Rules:

1. Paragraph 5 of the Code of Conduct for Members of Parliament provides:

Members must fulfil conscientiously the requirements of the House in respect of the registration of interests in the Register of Members’ Financial Interests. New Members must register all their current financial interests, and any registrable benefits (other than earnings) received in the 12 months before their election within one month of their election, and Members must register any change in those registrable interests within 28 days.

2. The House therefore requires new Members, within one month of their election, to register all their current financial interests, and any registrable benefits (other than earnings) received in the 12 months before their election. After that, Members are required to register within 28 days any change in those registrable interests. Such a change includes both the acquisition of a new interest and the ceasing of any registered interest, for example because an employment has ceased or because a holding has reduced in value or been sold.

The rules on registering donations (Category 2) are set out in paragraphs 15 to 20 of Chapter 1.

I refer the Hon. Gentleman to the answer given to Question 21248.

After their election, Hon. Members report all permissible political donations or gifts they accept to the House of Commons Register of Members’ Financial Interests (RMFI). The Commission identifies any donations it must publish from the information reported to the RMFI. Impermissible donations are reported directly to the Commission.

The Commission publishes donations to MPs only where they are made in connection with an MP’s political activities, either as an MP or as a party member, and where they exceed the relevant reporting threshold of £2,230, including aggregated donations from the same donor.

The Register of Members’ Financial Interests is broader in scope. It includes any financial interest held, or benefit received, by an MP that might reasonably be considered to influence their actions or statements as an MP.

The Commission has not provided guidance to either the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner or the House of Commons Registrar on this matter. The requirement for Members to disclose donations or gifts received in the 12 months before they are elected is in parliamentary rules, rather than electoral law.

The registration scheme for short-term lets legislated for in the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023 will require registration of specified properties that meet the definition of a short-term rental property. The detailed scope of the scheme is still being determined and will be shaped to meet the scheme’s overarching objectives to provide data that enables local authorities to better understand their visitor accommodation market, support tourism growth, and protect the spirit and fabric of communities.

The registration scheme for short-term lets legislated for in the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023 will apply to specified short-term rental properties in England. The detailed scope of the scheme, including how it will apply to second homes, and second homes which are let occasionally, is still being determined and details will be announced in due course.

The government recognises the importance of safe, warm homes for the millions of tenants living in the private rented sector (PRS). Through the Renters’ Rights Bill we will apply a Decent Homes Standard to the PRS to give renters safer, better value homes and remove the blight of poor-quality homes in local communities. The Bill will also apply ‘Awaab’s Law’ to the sector, which will set clear legal expectations about the timeframes within which PRS landlords must make homes safe where they contain serious hazards. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero will consult shortly on increasing minimum energy efficiency standards in the domestic private rented sector. The government will consider opportunities for alignment and simplification as we implement these regulations and will support landlords with comprehensive guidance.

The Renters’ Rights Bill also includes provides to introduce a PRS Database. The new database service will bring substantial benefits to landlords – providing a single source of information about their legal responsibilities and helping them showcase their compliance. It will operate alongside selective licensing to drive improvement in standards in the private rented sector. We will seek to maximise operational efficiency of the database service and Local Authority Selective Licensing schemes, including through sharing data.

Companies House does not bring prosecutions under section 1112 of the Companies Act 2006 for a false statement offence but refer such potential cases to the Insolvency Service for investigation and prosecution.

The number of prosecutions commenced by the Insolvency Service for a false statement offence contrary to s1112 of the Companies Act 2006 in each year since 2019 is:

The reforms we are making to Companies House are significant, and we are adopting a phased approach to implementation. The new powers at the Registrar's disposal will come into effect over the coming months, with many being available to the Registrar from 4 March. Some others, such as ID verification, require secondary legislation and significant systems development, and will not take effect until later.

We are committed to ensuring the Registrar has the necessary resources to implement these changes.

The year in the table provided refers to the financial year ending year, i.e. 2023 means 2022-23 Financial Year.

The data in the tables comes from the annual official statistics publication that Companies House produces: Companies register activities: statistical release 2022 to 2023 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

The Registrar carries out checks to ensure filings are complete, but at present, she has limited powers to verify or validate the information which is delivered to her. Provided a document appears to be properly delivered, the Registrar must register it.

The Registrar will be given broader powers under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act so that she can become a more active gatekeeper over company registrations. This will include powers to check, challenge and refuse to register any information which is inaccurate or false whilst also ensuring any fraudulent addresses can be removed more easily.

The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 amends the Companies Act 2006 to introduce a range of measures aimed at preventing the abuse of personal information. Once commenced, these will mean that (amongst other things) those incorporating and running companies will be required to verify their identities, and that the registrar of companies will have enhanced powers to ensure that people’s personal addresses are not misused.

The reforms to limited partnerships in the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 require new secondary legislation, guidance and system development before they can be implemented.

The government remains committed to implementing, and enforcing, the reforms as soon as possible.

The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 makes comprehensive reforms to the law governing limited partnerships. This includes providing greater powers for Companies House to challenge, reject, share and remove suspicious information.

Alongside these reforms, Companies House will make full use of data science at their new intelligence hub to identify patterns and crack down on those seeking to evade the requirements.

The handling of overseas entities assets upon dissolution is based on the company's information and the location of the asset. If the asset is located in England or Wales, the Treasury Solicitor manages the assets. In Scotland, it's the King's and Lord Treasurer's Remembrancer. In Northern Ireland, the Crown Solicitor's Office. Assets located in the Duchies of Cornwall or Lancaster are dealt with by their solicitors.

My Department is responsible for compliance with the transparency obligations imposed on overseas entities owning UK property under the Economic Crime (Transparency and Enforcement) Act 2022.

There are currently no plans to expand the People with Significant Control framework to English and Welsh limited partnerships, which do not have a separate legal personality distinct from their partners.

The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 makes the largest reforms to the law governing limited partnerships since 1907. Under these reforms, all general partners will have to verify their identities, and much more information will be required on the partners of all limited partnerships, leading to greater transparency. Companies House will also have greater powers to challenge, reject, share and remove suspicious information relating to limited partnerships.