In this newsletter:
- support with verifying your identity with Companies House
- our opening times over the festive period
- part-funded course for small business owners in January 2026
- voluntary scheme now open for repayment of fraudulent COVID-19 business loans
Getting support with identity verification
All company directors and people with significant control need to verify their identity with Companies House.
You may not need to do anything immediately – but you should check your verification due dates by visiting the Companies House register, searching for the company and clicking on the ‘People’ tab to see the verification status for each officer.
You can complete identity verification using:
Have a look our top tips to help you complete identity verification before contacting us.
Christmas and new year opening times at Companies House
We’ve published information about the availability of our contact centre and filing services over the 2025 to 2026 festive period.
Help to Grow: Part-funded business course for small business owners
The Small Business Charter is offering its 90% government-funded Help to Grow: Management Course in January 2026.
The course is designed to help you grow your small business by:
- developing your leadership skills
- increasing your understanding of who buys from you and why
- improving your understanding of key financial metrics
- better engaging your team
Packed with practical business frameworks and case studies, the course includes peer group sessions and 10 hours of 1-2-1 mentoring to help you apply everything you learn directly to your business.
COVID-19 voluntary repayment window is now open
Over £10 billion was lost to pandemic fraud and error and must be recouped. If your business received a loan it wasn’t entitled to or which you are not currently repaying, you could face prosecution.
A new voluntary repayment scheme offers businesses the chance to make it right. Start repaying your loans before new investigatory powers and fines come into effect on 31 December.