I have just tried to complete my companies annual return and found the fee had increased from £15 to £30. Reading further I found that it would be only £15 if I filed online at the website www.companieshouse.gov.uk.

No such site appears on my browsers and Yahoo gives another address  which also does not work www.companies-house.gov.uk.

I see also that they only quote an 0870 number to make even more money out of their own incompetence in not setting up a proper fully functional website before doubling the fee.

Guessing they may only permit Microsoft products to communicate with their site. I used the Linux Mozilla and Firebird.

Naturally, I will return the form with £15 by snail mail.

Thanks for your site, I rang the number 02920 388588 and a recorded message says they are closed due to unforseen circumstances. I guess Hal has taken them all prisoners.

I have the Companies House website (www.companieshouse.gov.uk) in my Favorites list and have been using it from time to time to obtain company information.  I use Microsoft Internet Explorer. Following your posting I checked it today and indeed it does not work but this may be because it is Good Friday.  I know, because I tried it, that one cannot do company searches over weekends. Suggest you try accessing the site after the Easter holiday period.

If you look in the 'alternative numbers' area of this site you will find that the 02920 388588 geographical number given for Companies House can be used instead of their premium rate number 0870 3333636.