This statistical release provides breakdowns of individual insolvencies in England and Wales, at region, county, unitary authority and local authority levels. It also includes age and gender breakdowns of individual insolvencies at region level. The statistics cover the calendar years 2000 to 2013, including revisions to data from 2000 to 2012 where applicable.

Key facts

• The total insolvency rate decreased in all regions, but the individual voluntary arrangement rate increased.
• The North East continued to have the highest insolvency rates, while London had the lowest.
• Areas with the highest insolvency rates were concentrated in seaside resort areas, parts of the North East, South West and East Midlands.
• The gap between male and female insolvency rates narrowed.
• Insolvency rates among those aged under 35 were higher for women than men.

Constituency key facts

• Total insolvency rates were highest in parliamentary constituencies by the coast, and in the South West, North East, and parts of Yorkshire and East Midlands.
• Total insolvency rates were lowest in parliamentary constituencies in London, the South East, West Wales and parts of the North West.
• For IVAs the pattern was slightly different, with fewer coastal constituencies having the highest rates.
• Comparisons of rates between years at this local level should take into account that small changes in the number of insolvencies can have a large impact on the rate.

Removal of ‘Experimental Statistics’ designation

Individual Insolvencies by Region was first published in 2009, covering the period 2000-2008. It has been as designated as Experimental Statistics – new Official Statistics which are undergoing evaluation – each year since then.

In 2013, the Insolvency Service consulted users about the usefulness of these statistics and acted on feedback received. The methods used to produce these statistics are stable and so the Insolvency Service has removed the Experimental Statistics designation.

These statistics will be designated as Official Statistics until they have been assessed by the UK Statistics Authority, who will judge whether they meet the quality standards of National Statistics.

Interactive map

Due to technical difficulties, the Insolvency Service was unable to make the interactive map available to view on its website on the day of release of these statistics.

To view the interactive map, http://www.insolvencydirect.bis.gov.uk/map/interactivemap.zip" class="govuk-link">download the zip file and extract the contents to your computer. Navigate to the “unminified” folder and open the “index.html” file.

Breach of the Code of Practice

There was a breach of the Code of Practice on 9 July 2014, prior to publication. One Insolvency Service official who was not on the pre-release access list was given access to the statistics. The National Statistician’s Office was advised and a http://www.statisticsauthority.gov.uk/assessment/code-of-practice/breach-reports/individual-insolvency-statistics-by-region--2013.pdf" class="govuk-link">breach report was submitted.