UK: The Government's Economic Crime Plan 2019-2022

The Government has published its Economic Crime Plan 2019-2022: see here (pdf). The plan contains seven "strategic priorities", including "Transparency of Ownership". This part of the plan explains what the Government has already done, or what is subject to on-going consultation (including, for example, proposals to reform Companies House in the consultation Corporate Transparency and Register Reform - see here, pdf). With regard to the introduction of the new register of the beneficial owners of legal entities owning property in the UK, the plan states that a Bill will be introduced "early in the next Parliamentary session when Parliamentary time allows". The draft Bill received pre-legislative scrutiny earlier this year.

The UK's implementation of the Fifth Money Laundering Directive ((EU) 2018/843)), also known as 5MLD and the subject of a consultation earlier this year, is discussed as part of a strategic priority titled "Powers, Procedures and Tools". The plan states that the Directive will be transposed into national law by January 2020 and that the Government intends to go beyond the requirements of 5MLD by bringing a wider range of crypto-asset businesses within the anti-money laundering regime. The paper also states that those wanting access to the beneficial ownership information held on the expanded trusts register will need to demonstrate a "legitimate interest".