The UK Companies House counts down to the implementation of a single UK wide Company Register that will take place on 1 October 2009 as a result of the UK Companies Act 2006 coming into force. In preparations for the 1 October 2009 a number of changes have been announced or are in process. One such change that has been announced is the amendment of the Companies House Trading Fund Order. The announcement states:

“Amendment to Companies House Trading Fund Order

When the Companies Act 2006 comes into force on 1st October 2009 the Companies Registry in Northern Ireland will become the responsibility of the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills. On 26 August 2008 the government opened a public consultation to create a UK-wide Register of Companies through the integration of the Northern Ireland Registry with Companies House, which would involve amending the Companies House Trading Fund Order to reflect the change. No objections were received to the consultation and a government response was published.”

The Draft Companies House Trading Fund (Amendment) Order 2009 was debated in the UK Parliament on the 24 June 2009.

Parliamentary material is reproduced with the permission of the Controller of HMSO on behalf of Parliament

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (Ian Lucas) during the debate stated:

“In the impact assessment the cost of the integration of the Northern Ireland registry was originally estimated to be about £200,000. That was substantially outweighed by the benefits set out in the impact assessment, but in fact the costs have now been estimated to be as little as £64,000, which includes £40,500 on analysis and development and £23,500 on testing, travel and subsistence. That calculation shows that it is extremely sensible to proceed with this step. It has been widely supported and is, of course, supported by the Northern Ireland Executive. As for the length of time that it will take to incorporate the registry, it is anticipated that the process will be completed by 1 October 2009, so it is a swift process and that is the date on which we will proceed.”

The Companies House Companies House Annual Report and Accounts 2008/09 titled: Giving Business a helping hand was published on the 16 July 2009 and states:

“A further change introduced by the Companies Act 2006 is the inclusion of the Northern Ireland Companies Register within the Trading Fund for which an amendment will be effected during the current Parliament. Income generated from the registration and dissemination activities of the Northern Ireland register will be at the same price levels as the rest of the United Kingdom, and are expected to match the additional costs incurred. All staff transferred will do so under the usual machinery of government rules.” (Reference page 25)

“The Companies House Trading Fund (Amendment) Order was passed in the House of Commons on 24th June 2009. This will allow the Companies Registration Office for Northern Ireland to come under the authority of the Registrar of Companies House effective from 1st October 2009.” (Reference page 25)