The number of registered company insolvencies in August 2022 was 1,933:

• 43% higher than in the same month in the previous year (1,348 in August 2021), and
• 42% higher than the number registered three years previously (pre-pandemic; 1,365 in August 2019).

In August 2022 there were 1,662 Creditors’ Voluntary Liquidations (CVLs), 33% higher than in August 2021 and 73% higher than August 2019. Numbers for other types of company insolvencies, such as compulsory liquidations, remained lower than before the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, although there were almost four times as many compulsory liquidations in August 2022 as in August 2021, and the number of administrations was more than twice as high as a year ago.

For individuals, 565 bankruptcies were registered, which was 10% lower than in August 2021 and 58% lower than August 2019.

There were 1,932 Debt Relief Orders (DROs) in August 2022, which was 12% higher than August 2021 but similar to the pre-pandemic comparison month (August 2019).

There were, on average, 7,340 IVAs registered per month in the three-month period ending August 2022, which is 5% higher than the three-month period ending August 2021, and 8% higher than the three-month period ending August 2019. IVA numbers have ranged from around 6,300 to 7,800 per month over the past year.

There were 6,058 Breathing Space registrations in August 2022, which is 25% higher than the number registered in August 2021. 5,971 were Standard breathing space registrations, which is 25% higher than in August 2021, and 87 were Mental Health breathing space registrations, which is 30% higher than the number in August 2021.

The number of registered company insolvencies in October 2021 was 1,405:

• 63% higher than the number registered in the same month in the previous year (864 in October 2020), but
• 5% lower than the number registered two years previously (pre-pandemic; 1,480 in October 2019).

In October 2021 there were 1,248 Creditors’ Voluntary Liquidations (CVLs), which is slightly higher than pre-pandemic levels. The number of registered company insolvencies was similar to pre-pandemic levels, driven by this higher number of CVLs, although other types of company insolvencies, such as compulsory liquidations, remained lower.

For individuals, 601 bankruptcies were registered, which was 44% lower than October 2020 and 57% lower than October 2019. The number of bankruptcies was the lowest monthly number since the start of the time series in January 2019.

There were 1,937 Debt Relief Orders (DROs) in October 2021. Following "https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-measures-to-help-vulnerable-people-in-problem-debt" class="govuk-link">changes to the eligibility criteria on 29 June 2021 including an increase in the level of debt at which people can apply for a DRO from £20,000 to £30,000, DRO numbers were higher between July and October 2021 than in previous months since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The number of DROs registered in October 2021 was 23% higher than October 2020 but remained lower than pre-pandemic levels (23% lower than in October 2019).

There were, on average, 7,031 IVAs registered per month in the three-month period ending October 2021, which is 14% higher than the three-month period ending October 2020 and 4% higher than the three-month period ending October 2019.

Note that the IVA series is historically volatile as it is based on date of registration at the Insolvency Service (see the Methodology and data quality section for more information).

Between the launch of the Breathing Space scheme on 4 May 2021, and 31 October 2021, there were 32,082 registrations, comprised of 31,651 Standard breathing space registrations and 431 Mental Health breathing space registrations.

• The number of registered company insolvencies in England and Wales was 2,043 in June 2025, 8% lower than in May 2025 (2,230) and 16% lower than the same month in the previous year (2,430 in June 2024). Monthly company insolvency numbers in the first six months of 2025 were slightly higher than the second half of 2024, but remain lower than the 30-year annual high seen in 2023.

• Company insolvencies in June 2025 consisted of 332 compulsory liquidations, 1,585 creditors’ voluntary liquidations (CVLs), 111 administrations and 15 company voluntary arrangements (CVAs). There were no receivership appointments. The number of compulsory liquidations was 6% lower than May 2025, but remained higher than both June 2024 and the 2024 monthly average. The number of CVLs in June 2025 was lower than May 2025, but was similar to the average numbers seen over the last 18 months. Administrations were lower than in May 2025, while CVAs were slightly higher.

• One in 191 companies on the Companies House effective register (at a rate of 52.4 per 10,000 companies) entered insolvency between 1 July 2024 and 30 June 2025. This was a decrease from the 55.8 per 10,000 companies that entered insolvency in the 12 months ending 30 June 2024. Insolvency rates are calculated on a 12-month rolling basis as a proportion of the total number of companies on the effective register. The 12-month rolling rates show longer term trends and reduce the volatility associated with estimates based on single months.

• While the insolvency rate has increased since the lows seen in 2020 and 2021, it remains much lower than the peak of 113.1 per 10,000 companies seen during the 2008-09 recession. This is because the number of companies on the effective register has more than doubled over this period.

• After seasonal adjustment, the number of individual insolvencies in July to September (Q3) 2022 was 5% lower than in Q2 2022. Numbers of individual voluntary arrangements (IVAs) and debt relief orders (DROs) were lower, but bankruptcies were slightly higher. However, total individual insolvencies were 2% higher than in Q3 2021.
• One in 405 adults (at a rate of 24.7 per 10,000 adults) entered insolvency between 1 October 2021 and 30 September 2022. This is an increase from the 24.0 per 10,000 adults who entered insolvency in the 12 months ending 30 September 2021.
• During Q3 2022, there were 27,927 (seasonally adjusted) individual insolvencies, as shown in Figure 1, comprised of 20,635 IVAs, 5,579 DROs and 1,713 bankruptcies.
• There were 18,347 Breathing Space registrations in Q3 2022. This is 18% higher than in Q3 2021. Of the 18,347 Breathing Space registrations, 18,050 were Standard breathing space registrations and 297 were Mental Health breathing space registrations.

• After seasonal adjustment, the number of company insolvencies was 17% higher than in Q2 2021 and 43% higher than in Q3 2020. This was driven by an increase in CVLs to the highest quarterly level since Q2 2009, while numbers for all other company insolvency procedures were similar to the previous quarter and lower than in the same quarter of the previous year.
• One in 341 active companies (at a rate of 29.3 per 10,000 active companies) entered liquidation between 1 October 2020 and 30 September 2021. This was a decrease from the 32.4 per 10,000 active companies that entered liquidation in the 12 months ending 30 September 2020.
• During Q3 2021, there were 3,765 (seasonally adjusted) registered company insolvencies, as shown in Figure 1, comprising 3,471 creditors’ voluntary liquidations (CVLs), 105 compulsory liquidations, 169 administrations, and 20 company voluntary arrangements (CVAs). There were no receivership appointments.

Main messages for England and Wales

• In June 2025, 10,279 individuals entered insolvency in England and Wales. This was similar to the numbers in both May 2025 and June 2024.

• The individual insolvencies consisted of 596 bankruptcies, 4,135 debt relief orders (DROs) and 5,548 individual voluntary arrangements (IVAs). The number of DROs in June 2025 was close to the record monthly high seen in June 2024. IVA numbers in the first six months of 2025 were similar to the monthly average in 2024. Bankruptcy numbers remained at about half of pre-2020 levels and were also 10% lower than in June 2024.

• In the 12 months ending 30 June 2025, one in 415 adults in England and Wales entered insolvency (at a rate of 24.1 per 10,000 adults). This is higher than the rate of 21.9 per 10,000 adults (one in 457) who entered insolvency in the 12 months ending 30 June 2024.

• There were 7,637 Breathing Space registrations in June 2025. This is 10% higher than in June 2024.

• After seasonal adjustment, the number of individual insolvencies in Q3 2021 was 2% lower than in Q2 2021, with numbers of IVAs and bankruptcies lower, while DRO numbers were 31% higher following "https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-measures-to-help-vulnerable-people-in-problem-debt" class="govuk-link">changes to DRO eligibility on 29 June 2021. Total individual insolvencies were 33% higher than in Q3 2020.
• One in 416 adults (at a rate of 24.0 per 10,000 adults) entered insolvency between 1 October 2020 and 30 September 2021. This is an increase from the 23.2 per 10,000 adults who entered insolvency in the 12 months ending 30 September 2020.
• During Q3 2021, there were 26,758 (seasonally adjusted) individual insolvencies, as shown in Figure 1, comprised of 19,085 Individual Voluntary Arrangements (IVAs), 5,735 Debt Relief Orders (DROs) and 1,938 bankruptcies.
• Between the launch of the Breathing Space scheme on 4 May 2021, and 30 September 2021, there were 27,246 registrations, comprised of 26,896 Standard breathing space registrations and 350 Mental Health breathing space registrations.

• One in 386 active companies (at a rate of 25.9 per 10,000 active companies) entered liquidation between 1 July 2020 and 30 June 2021. This is a decrease from the 36.9 per 10,000 active companies that entered liquidation in the 12 months ending 30 June 2020.
• During Q2 2021, there were 3,116 (seasonally adjusted) registered company insolvencies, comprising 2,819 creditors’ voluntary liquidations (CVLs), 102 compulsory liquidations, 169 administrations, 25 company voluntary arrangements (CVAs), and one receivership appointment.
• After seasonal adjustment, the number of company insolvencies was 31% higher than in Q1 2021 and 4% higher than in Q2 2020. This was driven by an increase in CVLs, while all other company insolvency procedures were lower than the previous quarter and the same quarter of the previous year.

This statistics release contains the latest data on company insolvency (companies which are unable to pay debts and enter liquidation, or enter administration or other company rescue process) .

Statistics are presented separately for England and Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland because of differences in legislation and policy.

Main messages

Company Insolvencies in Q3 2020

Overall numbers of company insolvencies in England and Wales fell in comparison to both the previous quarter and same period last year.

The fall in comparison to Q2 2020 was driven by falls in CVLs; other types of company insolvency increased in Q3 2020 compared with the previous quarter but were still much lower than the same period last year

The reduction in company insolvencies compared to the same quarter last year was likely to be partly driven by Government measures put in place in response to the coronavirus (COVID 19).

• Between 1 April and 30 June 2022 (Q2 2022), there were 5,629 (seasonally adjusted) registered company insolvencies, comprising 4,908 creditors’ voluntary liquidations (CVLs), 368 compulsory liquidations, 320 administrations, 32 company voluntary arrangements (CVAs) and one receivership appointment.

• After seasonal adjustment, the number of company insolvencies in Q2 2022 was 13% higher than in Q1 2022 and 81% higher than in Q2 2021. The number of CVLs increased to the highest quarterly level since the start of the series in 1960. The number of compulsory liquidations also increased, but remained lower than levels seen before the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

• One in 228 active companies (at a rate of 43.9 per 10,000 active companies) entered liquidation between 1 July 2021 and 30 June 2022. This was an increase from the 26.1 per 10,000 active companies that entered liquidation in the 12 months ending 30 June 2021.