Orr Litchfield

Solicitors and Business Lawyers

Continued growth in number of UK companies in 2019

The Headlines

According to the recently published UK Companies House statistics Q3 of 2019 (from 1st July to 30th September 2019) saw:

  1. an increase in the number of companies on the Companies House register to 4,279,972 (compared to 4,111,057 at the end of Q3 in 2018);
  2. 169,751 new incorporations (compared to 164,424 in Q3 of 2018); and
  3. 129,795 dissolutions (compared to 131,407 in Q3 of 2018).

The total number of companies in the UK has continued to increase in size at a steady rate since 2012, although this has slowed in recent years.

Consistent with trends in recent years, there were more incorporations in the third quarter of 2019 than in the same period in 2018. Increases were seen in all constituent parts of the UK .

The total number of public companies on the register continues to decline. On 31st December 2018 there were 6,578 public companies on the register, whereas by 30th September 2019 there were only 6,364.

The total number of limited liability partnerships (LLPs) on the register also continues to decline. On 31st December 2018 there were 52,872 LLPs on the register, whereas by 30th September 2019 there were only 51,567.

Companies House statistics

Companies House produces quarterly reports about those companies newly incorporated to and removed from the register, and the total and effective register sizes amongst other matters. The total register size includes all companies on the companies register. The effective register size is the total register size less the number of companies in the course of dissolution or liquidation.

Information is provided for all UK incorporated entities, being companies (whether public or private) and LLPs.

Need to talk? 

If you are considering setting up a new company or business in the UK, we can help you to understand the process, to choose the option that is right for you and to establish your new company or business.

Contact us

If you would like more information about setting up a new company or business in the UK or would like to discuss a potential or existing company or business, please contact us by telephone on +44 (0)20 3126 4520 or +45 38 88 16 00 or by email at enquiries@orrlitchfield.com

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