Making it easier to do business is a key part of the Conservative long-term economic plan to build a stronger, more competitive economy and secure a better and brighter future for Britain.

Last year, customers searching the Companies House website spent £8.7 million accessing company information on the register. By making its data freely available and free of charge, Companies House is making the UK an easier and better place to do business.

This will make the UK the first country to establish a truly open register of business information. It will also open up opportunities for entrepreneurs to come up with innovative ways of using the information.

Long overdue and a very welcome initiative.Getting information to understand who you are doing business with is so very important.