Thank you for contacting me about the British Overseas Territories.
The Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territories (CDOTs) are fiscally autonomous jurisdictions, meaning that their democratically-elected governments are responsible for taxation.
As you note, the Government has worked with several CDOTs to introduce publicly accessible registers of beneficial ownership with a legitimate interest access filter. I understand that this would allow access to beneficial ownership information for members of the public who have a legitimate interest in doing so, including media and civil society organisations who are involved in the fight against illicit finance and money laundering.
I welcome that, in recognition of the capacity constraints faced by these territories, the UK will continue to provide both technical and financial assistance. Additionally, I welcome that the Government continues to support the CDOTs to build vibrant and sustainable economies.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.