Monthly insolvency statistics – March 2026

Corporate Insolvencies

England and Wales

Corporate insolvencies in March 2026 totalled 2,022, 1% higher than March 2025 and 7% higher than February 2026. The increase was mostly driven by more than 100 connected companies in the Real Estate sector entering Administration.

Creditors Voluntary Liquidations (“CVLs”) totalled 1,468, similar numbers to February 2026 but 6% lower than March 2025.

Compulsory Liquidations (“WUCs”) totalled 299, 4% higher than March 2025 and 18% higher than February 2026.

There were 235 Administration appointments which was 82% higher than March 2025 and 52% higher than February 2026. It was the highest number of appointments in any given month over at least the past 3 years and potentially an all-time high. More than 100 connected companies in the Real Estate sector entered Administration, so it is likely that this may be a one-off event rather than reflecting the underlying trend in Administration numbers.

There were 20 Company Voluntary Arrangements (“CVA”s) in March 2026, 18% higher than March 2025 and double the amount in February 2026. However, numbers remain low compared to historical levels.

There were no Receivership appointments.

Scotland

In March 2026, there were 131 company insolvencies registered in Scotland, 11% higher than the number in March 2025. The total number of company insolvencies was comprised of 53 CVLs, 57 compulsory liquidations, 18 administrations and three receivership appointments. There were no CVAs.

Northern Ireland

In March 2026, there were 35 company insolvencies registered in Northern Ireland, 21% higher than in March 2025. The total number of company insolvencies was comprised of 25 compulsory liquidations, nine CVLs and one CVA. There were no administrations or receivership appointments.

Personal Insolvencies

England and Wales

In March 2026, England and Wales recorded 12,252 individual insolvencies — 30% higher than March 2025 and 3% higher than February 2026.

There were 4,523 DROs in March 2026, being a record high since their introduction in 2009 and exceeding the previous high of 4,301 in February 2026.  

March 2026 saw 654 bankruptcies, which was 19% lower than February 2026 but 3% higher than March 2025.

549 resulted from debtors’ applications being 84% of all bankruptcies, up from 72% a year earlier. Bankruptcy numbers — disrupted by a case management system change between November 2025 and February 2026—returned to roughly the October 2025 level.

7,075 IVAs were registered in March 2026, being 5% higher than in February 2026, 36% higher than in March 2025 and 18% higher than the 2025 monthly average.

Breathing Space registrations totalled 5,175 in March 2026, down 36% year on year. Volumes have been lower since December 2025 after the largest money adviser group tightened its client suitability criteria.

Overall individual insolvencies rose in March 2026, driven by record-high DROs and continued strength in IVAs. Bankruptcies were broadly steady once the recent case-management system transition is considered, with debtor applications making up a larger share than a year ago. In contrast, Breathing Space registrations fell markedly year on year and have remained lower since tighter suitability criteria were introduced in late 2025.

Scotland

The Accountant in Bankruptcy produces individual insolvency statistics on a quarterly basis. Therefore, the numbers in this section are only updated once every 3 months.

The quarters referred to are calendar year quarters, such that Q4 2025 covers the period 1 October to 31 December 2025. In Q4 2025, there were 1,896 individual insolvencies in Scotland, which was 6% higher than in the same quarter of 2024.

The individual insolvencies were comprised of 1,122 protected trust deeds and 774 bankruptcies (also known as sequestrations), of which 431 went into bankruptcy via the minimal asset process route. The rules regarding bankruptcy differ to those in England and Wales, so numbers of bankruptcies are not directly comparable.

Northern Ireland

In March 2026, there were 156 individual insolvencies in Northern Ireland. This was 16% higher than in March 2025. There were 110 IVAs, 23 DROs and 23 bankruptcies.