12-October-2020

On 10th October 2020, Companies House decided to resume to begin striking off companies that they believe are no longer in business or in operation. They began the process in April 2020, but due to the Covid-19 Pandemic decided to pause the process now they have decided to resume it. Those companies that was applied to be struck off before July 2020 will now be struck off the register first over a four-week period. The Companies House process will then resume as normal in respect of any companies that applied to be struck off from July 2020 onwards.

Companies House will be striking off companies that they believe are no longer carrying on business or in operation. For example:

• Company documents are outstanding and they have had no response to letters being sent out.
• Letters that are sent out and are returned to Companies House.
• The company or business has no directors.

Companies that do not file their annual accounts or confirmation statement will normally receive 2 letters from Companies House. A notice is then published in the Gazette to tell the public that the registrar intends to strike off the company. Any person with an interest in a company which is nearing strike off should then register an objection to dissolution at Companies House.

Stuart Morgan, Intelligence and Enforcement Service Owner at Companies House, said: “Companies House is committed to supporting businesses who may be struggling during these unpredicted times, and we have introduced a number of legislative and non-legislative easements since April to provide support. However, it’s important that we have the right balance between supporting businesses, maintaining the integrity of the data on our register, and making sure that directors are complying with their legal requirements.”