Main Messages for England and Wales

Company Insolvencies

The number of registered company insolvencies in January 2024 was 1,769, 5% higher than in the same month in the previous year (1,685 in January 2023). This was higher than levels seen while the Government support measures were in place in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and also higher than pre-pandemic numbers.

The company insolvencies consisted of 339 compulsory liquidations, 1,294 creditors’ voluntary liquidations (CVLs), 120 administrations and 16 company voluntary arrangements (CVAs). CVL numbers were lower than in January 2023, while compulsory liquidation and administration numbers were higher.

Individual Insolvencies

For individuals, the total number of insolvencies in January 2024 was 8,089, 4% higher than in the same month in the previous year (7,756 in January 2023).

The individual insolvencies consisted of 768 bankruptcies, 2,793 debt relief orders (DROs) and 4,528 individual voluntary arrangements (IVAs). The higher number of individual insolvencies compared to January 2023 was driven by a 60% increase in the number of DROs and a 20% increase in the number of bankruptcies, while the number of IVAs was 16% lower. IVA numbers in 2023 were lower than in 2022, which saw a record high annual number. DRO and bankruptcy numbers in 2023 were higher than in 2022, although the number of bankruptcies remained well below pre-2020 levels.

There were 8,356 Breathing Space registrations in January 2024, which is 10% higher than the number registered in January 2023. 8,232 were Standard breathing space registrations, which is 10% higher than in January 2023, and 124 were Mental Health breathing space registrations, which is 27% higher than the number in January 2023.

• The number of registered company insolvencies in England and Wales was 2,081 in July 2025, similar to both June 2025 (2,053) and the same month in the previous year (2,078 in July 2024). Monthly company insolvency numbers in the first seven months of 2025 were higher than the second half of 2024, but remained slightly lower than the 30-year annual high seen in 2023.

• Company insolvencies in July 2025 consisted of 339 compulsory liquidations, 1,583 creditors’ voluntary liquidations (CVLs), 147 administrations and 12 company voluntary arrangements (CVAs). There were no receivership appointments. The number of compulsory liquidations was slightly higher than in June 2025 and remained higher than both July 2024 and the 2024 monthly average. The number of CVLs in July 2025 was similar to both June 2025 and the average numbers seen over the last 18 months. Administrations were higher than in June 2025, while CVAs were lower.

• One in 190 companies on the Companies House effective register (at a rate of 52.5 per 10,000 companies) entered insolvency between 1 August 2024 and 31 July 2025. This was a decrease from the 56.6 per 10,000 companies that entered insolvency in the 12 months ending 31 July 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.

Main messages for England and Wales

• After seasonal adjustment, the number of registered company insolvencies in England and Wales was 1,747 in October 2024, 10% lower than in September 2024 (1,950) and 24% lower than the same month in the previous year (2,293 in October 2023). However, the number of company insolvencies remained much higher than those seen both during the COVID-19 pandemic and between 2014 and 2019.

• Company insolvencies in October 2024 consisted of 188 compulsory liquidations, 1,445 creditors’ voluntary liquidations (CVLs), 100 administrations and 12 company voluntary arrangements (CVAs). All types of company insolvency – apart from receivership appointments, which are now rare – were lower than in September 2024.

• One in 186 companies on the Companies House effective register (at a rate of 53.8 per 10,000 companies) entered insolvency between 1 November 2023 and 31 October 2024. This was a decrease from the 56.5 per 10,000 companies that entered insolvency in the 12 months ending 31 October 2023. 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.

Main messages for England and Wales

• After seasonal adjustment, the number of registered company insolvencies in England and Wales was 2,035 in February 2025, 3% higher than in January 2025 (1,978) but 7% lower than the same month in the previous year (2,188 in February 2024). Company insolvencies over the past year have been slightly lower than in 2023, which saw a 30-year high annual number, but have remained high relative to historical levels.

• Company insolvencies in February 2025 consisted of 393 compulsory liquidations, 1,520 creditors’ voluntary liquidations (CVLs), 115 administrations and 7 company voluntary arrangements (CVAs). There were no receivership appointments. Compulsory liquidations were higher than in January 2025, while CVLs, administrations and CVAs were lower. The (seasonally adjusted) number of compulsory liquidations in February 2025 was the highest monthly number since September 2014.

• One in 191 companies on the Companies House effective register (at a rate of 52.4 per 10,000 companies) entered insolvency between 1 March 2024 and 28 February 2025. This was a decrease from the 57.6 per 10,000 companies that entered insolvency in the 12 months ending 29 February 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.

• The number of registered company insolvencies in England and Wales was 2,048 in August 2025, 2% lower than in July 2025 (2,083) and 6% higher than the same month in the previous year (1,933 in August 2024). Monthly company insolvency numbers in the first eight months of 2025 were slightly higher than in 2024 and at a similar level to 2023, which saw a 30-year high annual number of insolvencies.
• Company insolvencies in August 2025 consisted of 311 compulsory liquidations, 1,600 creditors’ voluntary liquidations (CVLs), 121 administrations and 16 company voluntary arrangements (CVAs). There were no receivership appointments. The number of compulsory liquidations was 9% lower than in July 2025 and was also lower than the 2025 monthly average to date, although higher than monthly numbers in 2024. The number of CVLs in August 2025 was similar to both July 2025 and the 2024 monthly average. Administrations were lower than in July 2025, while CVAs were higher.
• One in 190 companies on the Companies House effective register (at a rate of 52.6 per 10,000 companies) entered insolvency between 1 September 2024 and 31 August 2025. This was a decrease from the 55.5 per 10,000 companies that entered insolvency in the 12 months ending 31 August 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.

Main messages for England and Wales

• After seasonal adjustment, the number of registered company insolvencies in England and Wales in March 2024 was 1,815, 17% lower than in February 2024 (2,177) and 17% lower than the same month in the previous year (2,193 in March 2023). However, numbers of company insolvencies remained much higher than those seen both during the COVID-19 pandemic and between 2014 and 2019.

• Company insolvencies in March 2024 consisted of 261 compulsory liquidations, 1,437 creditors’ voluntary liquidations (CVLs), 108 administrations and 9 company voluntary arrangements (CVAs). Numbers of all types of company insolvency were lower than in both March 2023 and February 2024.

• One in 179 companies on the Companies House effective register (at a rate of 55.8 per 10,000 companies) entered insolvency between 1 April 2023 and 31 March 2024. This was an increase from the 53.5 per 10,000 companies that entered insolvency in the 12 months ending 31 March 2023. These 12-month rolling rates are calculated as a proportion of the total number of companies on the effective register to show longer term trends and reduce the volatility that would be 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.

Main messages for England and Wales

• After seasonal adjustment, the number of registered company insolvencies in England and Wales in May 2024 was 2,006, 6% lower than in April 2024 (2,144) and 21% lower than the same month in the previous year (2,547 in May 2023, which was the highest monthly number since October 2008). The number of company insolvencies remained much higher than those seen both during the COVID-19 pandemic and between 2014 and 2019.

• Company insolvencies in May 2024 consisted of 271 compulsory liquidations, 1,590 creditors’ voluntary liquidations (CVLs), 126 administrations and 19 company voluntary arrangements (CVAs). Numbers of CVLs and administrations were lower than in both May 2023 and April 2024, while the number of compulsory liquidations was lower than in May 2023, but higher than in April 2024 .

• One in 180 companies on the Companies House effective register (at a rate of 55.6 per 10,000 companies) entered insolvency between 1 June 2023 and 31 May 2024. This was an increase from the 54.2 per 10,000 companies that entered insolvency in the 12 months ending 31 May 2023. These 12-month rolling rates are calculated as a proportion of the total number of companies on the effective register to show longer term trends and reduce the volatility that would be 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.

Main messages for England and Wales

• The number of registered company insolvencies in England and Wales was 2,053 in April 2025, 3% higher than in March 2025 (1,996) but 5% lower than the same month in the previous year (2,163 in April 2024). Company insolvencies over the past 12 months have been slightly lower than in 2023, which saw a 30-year high annual number, but have remained high relative to historical levels.

• Company insolvencies in April 2025 consisted of 379 compulsory liquidations, 1,544 creditors’ voluntary liquidations (CVLs), 105 administrations, 24 company voluntary arrangements (CVAs) and one receivership appointment. The (seasonally adjusted) number of compulsory liquidations in April 2025 was the highest monthly number since September 2014. The number of CVLs in April 2025 was similar to both March 2025 and the 2024 monthly average. Administrations were lower than in March 2025, while CVAs were higher.

• One in 190 companies on the Companies House effective register (at a rate of 52.5 per 10,000 companies) entered insolvency between 1 May 2024 and 30 April 2025. This was a decrease from the 57.0 per 10,000 companies that entered insolvency in the 12 months ending 30 April 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.

Annual Summary for 2023

• In 2023, there were 25,158 registered company insolvencies, comprising 20,577 creditors’ voluntary liquidations (CVLs), 2,827 compulsory liquidations, 1,567 administrations, 185 company voluntary arrangements (CVAs) and two receivership appointments. The number of company insolvencies was the highest annual number since 1993.

• CVLs increased by 9% from 2022 to a new record high number in the time series going back to 1960. Numbers of compulsory liquidations (up 44%), administrations (up 27%) and CVAs (up 67%) were also all higher than in 2022.

• One in 186 active companies (at a rate of 53.7 per 10,000 active companies) entered insolvent liquidation in 2023. This was an increase from the 49.6 per 10,000 active companies that entered liquidation in 2022. The rate in 2023 was the highest level since Q3 2014. Although company insolvency volumes were at a 30-year high in 2023, the number of companies on the Companies House register has increased over time, so the 2023 rate remained much lower than the peak rate of 94.8 insolvencies per 10,000 active companies during the 2008/09 recession.

Quarterly Summary for Q4 2023

• Between 1 October and 31 December 2023 (Q4 2023), there were 6,788 (seasonally adjusted) registered company insolvencies, as shown in Figure 1, comprising 5,578 creditors’ voluntary liquidations (CVLs), 780 compulsory liquidations, 379 administrations, 50 company voluntary arrangements (CVAs) and one receivership appointment.

• After seasonal adjustment, the number of company insolvencies in Q4 2023 was 9% higher than in Q3 2023, and 14% higher than in Q4 2022. This quarter saw the highest quarterly total insolvencies since Q4 2008 and the highest quarterly number of CVLs since the start of the time series in 1960. The number of compulsory liquidations increased to levels last seen before the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Administrations in Q4 2023 fell but still remained higher than levels seen throughout 2021 and 2022.

The number of registered company insolvencies in January 2022 was 1,560:

• More than double the number registered in the same month in the previous year (758 in January 2021), and
• Similar to the number registered two years previously (pre-pandemic; 1,508 in January 2020).

In January 2022 there were 1,358 Creditors’ Voluntary Liquidations (CVLs), more than double the number in January 2021, and 34% higher than in January 2020. Numbers for other types of company insolvencies, such as compulsory liquidations, remained lower than before the pandemic, although there were more than twice as many compulsory liquidations as in January 2021.

For individuals, 575 bankruptcies were registered, which was 32% lower than in January 2021 and 63% lower than January 2020.

There were 1,873 Debt Relief Orders (DROs) in January 2022. Following "https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-measures-to-help-vulnerable-people-in-problem-debt">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 2021 and January 2022 than in previous months since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The number of DROs registered in January 2022 was 59% higher than in January 2021 but remained lower than pre-pandemic levels (15% lower than in January 2020).

There were, on average, 6,281 IVAs registered per month in the three-month period ending January 2022, which is 10% lower than the three-month period ending January 2021, but 5% higher than the three-month period ending January 2020. IVA numbers have remained fairly stable at around 6,000 to 7,000 per month over the past year.

Between the launch of the Breathing Space scheme on 4 May 2021, and 31 January 2022, there were 46,406 registrations, comprised of 45,710 Standard breathing space registrations and 696 Mental Health breathing space registrations.

The number of registered company insolvencies in February 2022 was 1,515:

• More than double the number registered in the same month in the previous year (685 in February 2021), and
• 13% higher than the number registered two years previously (pre-pandemic; 1,346 in February 2020).

In February 2022 there were 1,329 Creditors’ Voluntary Liquidations (CVLs), more than double the number in February 2021, and 40% higher than in February 2020. Numbers for other types of company insolvencies, such as compulsory liquidations, remained lower than before the pandemic, although there were more than twice as many compulsory liquidations and almost double the number of administrations in February 2022 compared to February 2021.

For individuals, 588 bankruptcies were registered, which was 36% lower than in February 2021 and 62% lower than February 2020.

There were 2,242 Debt Relief Orders (DROs) in February 2022. Following "https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-measures-to-help-vulnerable-people-in-problem-debt">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 2021 and February 2022 than in previous months since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The number of DROs registered in February 2022 was 61% higher than in February 2021 but remained lower than pre-pandemic levels (6% lower than in February 2020).

There were, on average, 6,384 IVAs registered per month in the three-month period ending February 2022, which is 4% higher than the three-month period ending February 2021, and 15% higher than the three-month period ending February 2020. IVA numbers have remained fairly stable at around 6,000 to 7,000 per month over the past year.

Between the launch of the Breathing Space scheme on 4 May 2021, and 28 February 2022, there were 52,201 registrations, comprised of 51,415 Standard breathing space registrations and 786 Mental Health breathing space registrations.

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">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.

Main Messages for England and Wales

The number of registered company insolvencies in May 2023 was 2,552, 40% higher than in the same month in the previous year (1,825 in May 2022). This was higher than levels seen while the Government support measures were in place in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and also higher than pre-pandemic numbers.

There were 189 compulsory liquidations in May 2023, 34% higher than in May 2022. Numbers of compulsory liquidations have increased from historical lows seen during the coronavirus pandemic, partly as a result of an increase in winding-up petitions presented by HMRC.

In May 2023 there were 2,181 Creditors’ Voluntary Liquidations (CVLs), 38% higher than in May 2022. Numbers of administrations and Company Voluntary Arrangements (CVAs) were higher than in May 2022.

For individuals, 617 bankruptcies were registered, which was 5% higher than in May 2022, and around half of pre-2020 levels.

There were 2,505 Debt Relief Orders (DROs) in May 2023, which was 23% higher than May 2022. Monthly DRO numbers may be volatile at present due to the introduction of new https://moneyandpensionsservice.org.uk/2022/11/24/money-and-pensions-service-signs-contracts-for-national-and-business-debt-advice-services-and-the-administration-of-debt-relief-orders-in-england/">DRO hubs.

There were, on average, 6,767 Individual Voluntary Arrangements (IVAs) registered per month in the three-month period ending May 2023, which is 14% lower than the three-month period ending May 2022.

The numbers provided in this publication are not seasonally adjusted and changes between consecutive months may not indicate overall trends. Therefore, in this publication we compare to the same calendar month in the previous year. Seasonally adjusted figures that more accurately measure trends over time are available in the "https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/insolvency-service-official-statistics">quarterly insolvency statistics.

The number of registered company insolvencies in October 2022 was 1,948:

• 38% higher than in the same month in the previous year (1,410 in October 2021), and
• 32% higher than the number registered three years previously (pre-pandemic; 1,477 in October 2019).

There were 242 compulsory liquidations in October 2022, more than 4 times as many as in October 2021 and 2% higher than in October 2019. Numbers of compulsory liquidations have increased from historical lows seen during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, partly as a result of an increase in winding-up petitions presented by HMRC. October 2022 was the first time that the number of compulsory liquidations was similar to the pre-pandemic comparison month. This was partly caused by a large number of petitions from a single bank, which accounted for 45 of the compulsory liquidations in this month.

In October 2022 there were 1,594 Creditors’ Voluntary Liquidations (CVLs), 28% higher than in October 2021 and 53% higher than October 2019. Numbers of administrations and Company Voluntary Arrangements (CVAs) remained lower than before the pandemic.

For individuals, 531 bankruptcies were registered, which was 14% lower than in October 2021 and 62% lower than October 2019.

There were 1,894 Debt Relief Orders (DROs) in October 2022, which was 2% lower than October 2021 and 25% lower than the pre-pandemic comparison month (October 2019).

There were, on average, 7,610 Individual Voluntary Arrangements (IVAs) registered per month in the three-month period ending October 2022, which is 8% higher than the three-month period ending October 2021, and 13% higher than the three-month period ending October 2019. IVA numbers have ranged from around 6,300 to 7,800 per month over the past year.

There were 6,342 Breathing Space registrations in October 2022, which is 31% higher than the number registered in October 2021. 6,230 were Standard breathing space registrations, which is 31% higher than in October 2021, and 112 were Mental Health breathing space registrations, which is 38% higher than the number in October 2021.

Main Messages for England and Wales

The number of registered company insolvencies in February 2023 was 1,783:

• 17% higher than in the same month in the previous year (1,518 in February 2022), and
• 33% higher than the number registered three years previously (pre-pandemic; 1,345 in February 2020).

There were 158 compulsory liquidations in February 2023, which is more than twice the number in February 2022, but 32% lower than in February 2020. Numbers of compulsory liquidations have increased from historical lows seen during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, partly as a result of an increase in winding-up petitions presented by HMRC.

The numbers provided in this publication are not seasonally adjusted and changes between consecutive months may not indicate overall trends. Therefore, in this publication we compare to the same calendar month in previous year(s). Seasonally adjusted figures that more accurately measure trends over time are available in the "https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/insolvency-service-official-statistics">quarterly insolvency statistics.

In February 2023 there were 1,505 Creditors’ Voluntary Liquidations (CVLs), 13% higher than in February 2022 and 59% higher than February 2020. Numbers of administrations and Company Voluntary Arrangements (CVAs) remained lower than before the pandemic.

For individuals, 580 bankruptcies were registered, which was 3% lower than in February 2022, and 63% lower than February 2020.

There were 2,083 Debt Relief Orders (DROs) in February 2023, which was 7% lower than February 2022 and 13% lower than the pre-pandemic comparison month (February 2020).

There were, on average, 5,627 Individual Voluntary Arrangements (IVAs) registered per month in the three-month period ending February 2023, which is 12% lower than the three-month period ending February 2022, but similar to the three-month period ending February 2020.

Main Messages for England and Wales

The number of registered company insolvencies in April 2023 was 1,685, 15% lower than in the same month in the previous year (1,988 in April 2022). However this was higher than levels seen while the Government support measures were in place in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and also higher than pre-pandemic numbers.

There were 183 compulsory liquidations in April 2023, which is nearly twice the number in April 2022. Numbers of compulsory liquidations have increased from historical lows seen during the coronavirus pandemic, partly as a result of an increase in winding-up petitions presented by HMRC.

In April 2023 there were 1,368 Creditors’ Voluntary Liquidations (CVLs), 23% lower than in April 2022. Numbers of administrations and Company Voluntary Arrangements (CVAs) were higher than in April 2022.

For individuals, 531 bankruptcies were registered, which was 5% lower than in April 2022, and less than half of pre-2020 levels.

There were 2,384 Debt Relief Orders (DROs) in April 2023, which was 24% higher than April 2022. Monthly DRO numbers may be volatile at present due to the introduction of new https://moneyandpensionsservice.org.uk/2022/11/24/money-and-pensions-serivce-signs-contracts-for-national-and-business-debt-relief-orders-in-england">DRO hubs.

There were, on average, 6,336 Individual Voluntary Arrangements (IVAs) registered per month in the three-month period ending April 2023, which is 16% lower than the three-month period ending April 2022.

The numbers provided in this publication are not seasonally adjusted and changes between consecutive months may not indicate overall trends. Therefore, in this publication we compare to the same calendar month in the previous year. Seasonally adjusted figures that more accurately measure trends over time are available in the "https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/insolvency-service-official-statistics">quarterly insolvency statistics.

Company insolvencies

The number of registered company insolvencies in January 2021 was 752, approximately half the number registered in the same month in the previous year (1,515 in January 2020).

Individual insolvencies

For individual insolvencies, the number of bankruptcies in January 2021 was 818, while the number of Debt Relief Orders was 1,167. Both were 47% lower than in January 2020. There were, on average, 6,950 IVAs registered per month in the three-month period ending January 2021, 17% higher than for the three-month period ending January 2020, although this series is volatile.

This statistics release contains the latest data on monthly company and individual insolvency (companies and individual people who are unable to pay debts and enter formal procedures).

Statistics are presented separately for England and Wales , Scotland and for Northern Ireland in this release.

Main messages

Company insolvencies

• There were 1,228 company insolvencies in December 2020.

Individual insolvencies

• There were 1,241 debt relief orders and 807 bankruptcies in December 2020.
• There were an average of 7,918 individual voluntary arrangements registered in the 3 months ending December 2020.

The number of registered company insolvencies in April 2022 was 1,991:

• More than double the number registered in the same month in the previous year (925 in April 2021), and
• 39% higher than the number registered three years previously (pre-pandemic; 1,429 in April 2019).

In April 2022 there were 1,777 Creditors’ Voluntary Liquidations (CVLs), more than double the number in April 2021 and 74% higher than April 2019. Numbers for other types of company insolvencies, such as compulsory liquidations, remained lower than before the pandemic, although there were three times as many compulsory liquidations in April 2022 compared to April 2021, and the number of administrations was 51% higher than a year ago.

For individuals, 530 bankruptcies were registered, which was 36% lower than in April 2021 and 64% lower than April 2019.

There were 1,708 Debt Relief Orders (DROs) in April 2022, which was 20% higher than in April 2021 and 29% lower than the pre-pandemic comparison month (April 2019). This increase is linked to "https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-measures-to-help-vulnerable-people-in-problem-debt">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.

There were, on average, 7,516 IVAs registered per month in the three-month period ending April 2022, which is 10% higher than the three-month period ending April 2021, and 22% higher than the three-month period ending April 2019. IVA numbers have ranged from around 6,300 to 7,500 per month over the past year.

Between the launch of the Breathing Space scheme on 4 May 2021, and 30 April 2022, there were 63,856 registrations, comprised of 62,843 Standard breathing space registrations and 1,013 Mental Health breathing space registrations.

The number of registered company insolvencies in November 2021 was 1,674:

• 88% higher than the number registered in the same month in the previous year (891 in November 2020), and
• 11% higher than the number registered two years previously (pre-pandemic; 1,509 in November 2019).

For the first time since the start of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the monthly number of registered company insolvencies was higher than pre-pandemic levels. This was driven by the higher number of creditors’ voluntary liquidations (CVLs). In November 2021 there were 1,521 CVLs, 43% higher than in November 2019. Other types of company insolvencies, such as compulsory liquidations, remained lower than before the pandemic.

For individuals, 630 bankruptcies were registered, which was 33% lower than November 2020 and 54% lower than November 2019.

There were 2,054 Debt Relief Orders (DROs) in November 2021. Following "https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-measures-to-help-vulnerable-people-in-problem-debt">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 November 2021 than in previous months since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The number of DROs registered in November 2021 was 44% higher than November 2020 but remained lower than pre-pandemic levels (13% lower than in November 2019).

There were, on average, 7,002 IVAs registered per month in the three-month period ending November 2021, which is similar to both the three-month period ending November 2020 and the three-month period ending November 2019.

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

Between the launch of the Breathing Space scheme on 4 May 2021, and 30 November 2021, there were 36,931 registrations, comprised of 36,411 Standard breathing space registrations and 520 Mental Health breathing space registrations.