Campaigners warn ‘long overdue’ changes won’t scupper organised criminals, who can already pass banks’ ID checks

Fraudsters and jokers trying to join the UK’s corporate register under fake names such as “Darth Vader” and “Santa Claus” will be blocked under plans to force directors to provide identification – but campaigners have said the measure is unlikely to stop determined criminals.

From autumn next year, individuals incorporating a new company at Companies House will have to provide ID if they are a director or a “person of significant control” (PSC), usually a significant or majority owner of a company.