A bumper round-up of news from Companies House
Business Plan 2026/27
Economic growth continues to be core to Companies House. By giving entrepreneurs limited liability, Companies House makes it safer for them to start and grow businesses in the UK. The data Companies House makes available publicly forms the basis for credit and business decisions, adding value to business products and services, all of which further supports the economy.
At the same time, Companies House takes action to disrupt economic crime and misuse of the register, because a transparent and accountable UK business environment is essential if legitimate companies are to succeed.
In October 2025, Companies House published a strategy to 2030, based on a vision of being the trusted guardian of corporate transparency, acting as a catalyst for economic growth, while protecting businesses and people from harm. In the coming financial year, Companies House will continue to work towards that vision.
For an update on 2025/26 activity and plans for 2026/27, see Companies House Business Plan 2026-27.
Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes
Your SIC code is a part of how your company presents itself to the world. When a potential investor searches for your company, or a lender reviews your application, your SIC code helps them understand what you do and if you're the right fit for what they're offering.
If your code does not match your actual activity, for example you're actively trading but still showing as dormant (99999) or non-trading (74990), it can create confusion, raise questions, and in some cases actively work against you.
Lenders and funding bodies use SIC codes to assess eligibility, and a mismatch can be enough to cause delays or complications in an application. Getting it right means your company is accurately represented, and that the right opportunities can find you.
The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act has introduced stronger requirements for all information on the Companies House register to be accurate. This applies to SIC codes just as it does to any other information you file with Companies House.
For more information, see Keeping your standard industrial classification (SIC) code accurate
Accounts reform update – in case you missed it in last month’s In Practice
In June, the government announced how accounts reforms measures set out in the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCT Act 2023) will be implemented. This follows extensive engagement with stakeholders to consider their views around the impact some of the reforms might have on companies.
Under the ECCT Act 2023, the government will reform how companies report information and what information they report when filing their annual accounts with Companies House. The accounts reforms seek to:
- improve the transparency, accuracy and reliability of data on the companies register
- inform business decisions
- modernise practices in line with other countries
- tackle economic crime.
After some consideration, the government will proceed with the accounts reforms, including the following:
- requiring small companies and micro entities to file profit and loss accounts with Companies House as other companies do, but with the option to opt out of publishing this information on the public register
- requiring all companies to file their annual accounts via commercial software;
- removing the option for companies to file abridged accounts
- a strengthened eligibility statement for all companies claiming an audit exemption
- requiring component parts of the filed accounts and reports to all be filed together
- reducing the number of times a company can shorten its accounting reference period.
To give companies more time to prepare, this package of accounts reforms will now come into effect from April 2028, rather than April 2027.
For more information see:
Companies House to bring in changes to accounts filing from April 2028
Find software for filing company accounts
Other news
Join the Companies House User Panels
Help shape the future of Companies House services by sharing your feedback and experiences.
The format of research activities varies and may include online surveys and questionnaires, usability testing of services and remote or in-person research sessions. Current research topics are:
- limited partnerships service
- presenters
- register of overseas entities
- close a company service.
