R3 responds to August 2022 insolvency statistics

16 September 2022

• Corporate insolvencies increased by 5.5% in August 2022 to a total of 1,933 compared to July's total of 1,832, and increased by 43.4% compared to August 2021's figure of 1,348.
  • August 2021’s corporate insolvency figures were also 41.6% higher than August 2019’s figures of 1,365.
• Personal insolvencies increased by 4.1% to 9,572 in August 2022 compared to 9,198 in July, and were 5% higher than August 2021's figure of 9,117.
  • Personal insolvencies also increased 7.4% from August 2019's total of 8,910.

Christina Fitzgerald, President of R3, the insolvency and restructuring trade body, responds to today's publication of the August 2022 corporate and individual insolvency statistics for England and Wales:

“The monthly increase in corporate insolvencies – to the third highest set of monthly statistics since January 2019 – has mainly been caused by an increase in the number of Creditors’ Voluntary Liquidations.

“This suggests that directors remain concerned about their ability to continue to trade in the current climate, and are choosing to close their businesses before that choice is taken away from them.

“These figures will be a sobering reminder to government of the scale of the challenge facing the UK economy as we head into the winter months, and reflect the continued toll the sustained economic turbulence is taking on businesses in England and Wales.

“Companies are facing enormous running cost hikes just as household spending is facing its biggest squeeze in several decades which delivers yet another blow to business owners who were hoping to bounce back to normal trading levels post-pandemic.

“Many directors and managers are worried about the rise in prices and energy costs and the effect these will have on their margins and profits, and this is set to continue to be a concern. 

“Turning to personal insolvencies, the month-on-month increase has been driven by a rise in all forms of personal insolvency process as the economic issues the country is currently facing take a toll on people’s finances.

“Right now, many people are worried about money, with the increasing costs of fuel, food and energy key concerns as wages lag behind inflation.

“This concern about the cost of living is making many people reluctant to make major purchases and spend on anything other than the basics. Borrowing and credit card spending have also increased as people are, worryingly, turning to these to cover their costs.  

“We urge anyone who is worried about their business or personal finances to seek advice as soon as possible. Talking about your concerns about money is difficult, but the sooner you seek advice, the more potential options you have open to you, and the more time you have to take a considered decision about your next step.

“Most R3 members will give free initial advice to potential clients to enable them to understand more about their circumstances and explain the potential options that are open to them to help resolve their situation."