Insolvency statistics released for May 2026
The insolvency statistics released for May show that of the 1,868 registered company insolvencies:
- There were 285 compulsory liquidations
- 1,423 creditors’ voluntary liquidations (CVLs)
- 135 administrations
- 25 company voluntary arrangements (CVAs).
Individual Insolvencies
- In May 2026, 11,223 individuals entered insolvency in England and Wales. This was similar to April 2026, but 10% higher than in May 2025.
The individual insolvencies consisted of:
- 656 bankruptcies
- 4,191 debt relief orders (DROs)
- 6,376 individual voluntary arrangements (IVAs)
- DRO numbers in May 2026 were slightly higher than in April 2026 but lower than the record high seen in March 2026. The number of IVAs registered in May 2026 was also slightly higher than in April and similar to average numbers seen over the past 12 months. Bankruptcy numbers remained at about half of pre-2020 levels and lower than April 2026 but similar to May 2025.
- In the 12 months ending 31 May 2026, one in 376 adults in England and Wales entered insolvency (at a rate of 26.6 per 10,000 adults). This is higher than the rate of 24.1 per 10,000 adults (one in 415) who entered insolvency in the 12 months ending 31 May 2025.
Debt Relief Orders
Individual Voluntary Arrangements
Breathing Space Registrations
- There were 4,817 breathing spaces registered under the Debt Respite Scheme in May 2026. This is 38% lower than in May 2025. Of the 4,817 breathing space registrations, 4,693 were Standard breathing space registrations and 124 were Mental Health breathing space registrations.
We publish a summary of the reports here each month. For advice relating to support, insolvency or recovery options, please contact Isobel Brett for further information and guidance.
* This content and data were reported in full in the Insolvency Service Statistics.