Companies House hikes the confirmation statement fee to £50

From 1 February 2026, Companies House will start charging £50 for a confirmation statement (the CS01 form). That’s up from £34, which itself was up from £13 back in May 2024. A triple-jump worthy of Olympic status.

So… what’s going on, and is it fair?

Why they’re doing it

Companies House says the extra cash will fund its new capabilities, including enhanced fraud-fighting, ID checks, and improved policing of suspicious companies. The goal is to make the register more trustworthy and clean up the wild west of fake names and shell companies.

Companies House: “Our fees remain low by international standards.”

In fairness, they’re right, the UK’s company register has been dirt-cheap for years. Other countries charge far more just to keep you on the books.

The good news

• Better data, less crime. The plan is to stop fraudsters using fake companies for scams or money laundering.

• Quality over quantity. Higher fees and new ID checks might stop people from forming 20 shell companies for fun.

• Cleaner marketplace. If the data’s accurate, honest businesses (like yours) benefit from fewer headaches when checking suppliers or customers.

Rory Sutherland: “The opposite of a good idea can be another good idea.”
A little friction can make the system better - and that’s the hope here.

The bad news

• It’s another bill. Small businesses are already paying more for everything, software, tax filing, insurance, and now this.

• Not much choice. You can’t shop around for a cheaper registrar. You either pay or get struck off.

• Will it actually work? Fee rises don’t stop fraud unless enforcement does its job, and Companies House still needs to prove it can deliver.

Is £50 good value?

That depends on what we get for it.
If it funds quicker queries, better data, and a fraud-free register fine, that’s money well spent.
If nothing changes and we’re all still chasing bogus filings? Then it’s just another government cash grab.

“We’ll pay more — if we see the difference.”

Our two-pence at Gold Stag

We understand the logic, but we also get the eye roll. £50 feels steep for saying “nothing’s changed” once a year. Still, if it means fewer scammers, cleaner records, and better trust in UK businesses, we’ll call that a win (with gritted teeth).

Key dates to note:

• CS01 before 1 Feb 2026 → £34

• CS01 on/after 1 Feb 2026 → £50

So yes, budget for it and maybe pour yourself a brew while you do.