Thanks to a concerted effort by government and private business, we in the UK have made great strides towards tackling money laundering in recent years. Shell companies are not permitted, nor are bearer shares, so the avenues and vehicles for financial crime have been reduced.

Nevertheless, gaps still remain in our defences — recent studies and media reports in particular have drawn attention to issues with how Companies House monitors the registration of new businesses. A gap in legislation means that Companies House is exempt from AML regulations requiring identity checks to be carried out on anyone wishing to form a company.