The Guardian has reported this morning that:

In an announcement likely to be welcomed by campaign groups [David Cameron] says: "Here in the UK we are going to have a register of beneficial ownership, and we are going to consult on whether it should be public or not. I know in the end everyone would like total transparency and total publicity about everything, and I have a huge amount of sympathy for that. But the most important thing is the tax authorities have got to have access to this information so a central registry of beneficial ownership in the UK is a real step forward and we are leading by example."

Campaigners want these registries that reveal the identity of shell companies to be available to the public, and not just worldwide tax authorities. But it may not be quite so simple.

Cameron has a four stage diplomatic process: "Step one — everyone admits there is a problem. Step two — everyone agrees to action plans for beneficial ownership. Step three — Britain takes the lead to say our answer is a register of beneficial ownership. Step four would be everyone doing that and then making it public." He says that is where he would like to end up, but adds he would not "disadvantage Britain" by doing something other countries are not prepared to do.

As one of the very, very few who has campaigned on this issue in the UK - and even helped draft legislation to try to tackle it with Caroline Lucas MP - as well as calling for this publicly and in private briefings - I am delighted that this has now reached the agenda.

It's just a shame it has taken to so long.