Monthly insolvency statistics – May 2026

Corporate Insolvencies

England and Wales

There were 1.868 corporate insolvency appointments in May 2026, a 16% drop when compared to May 2025.

The cumulative total appointments for the year to May 2026 is 9,643 whereas the same period in 2025 was 10,326. The figures continue to suggest a reduction in insolvencies however anecdotal evidence appears slightly contradictory with the level of new enquires which are being received from companies experiencing trading difficulties.

Creditors Voluntary Liquidations (“CVLs”) which totalled 1,423, 18% lower than May 2025.

 Compulsory Liquidations (“WUCs”) totalled 285 and were 17% lower than May 2025.

There were 135 Administration appointments, 5% lower than May 2025.

Finally, there were 25 CVAs in May 2026, 79% higher than May 2025.

Scotland

In May 2026, there were 100 company insolvencies registered in Scotland, 25% lower than the number in May 2025. The total number of company insolvencies was comprised of 51 CVLs, 40 compulsory liquidations, seven administrations and two CVAs. There were no receivership appointments.

Northern Ireland

In May 2026 there were 30 company insolvencies registered in Northern Ireland, 43% lower than in May 2025. The total number of company insolvencies was comprised of 15 compulsory liquidations and 15 CVLs. There were no CVAs, administrations or receivership appointments.

Personal Insolvencies

England and Wales

In May 2026, 11,223 individual entered insolvency in England and Wales. This was similar to April 2026, but 10% higher than May 2025.

In the 12 months to 31 May 2026, most individual insolvencies were IVAs (58%), followed by DROs (36%) and bankruptcies (6%), whereas a year earlier IVAs made up 56%, DROs 38%, and bankruptcies 6%. Bankruptcies have become less common over time—for example, they accounted for 17% of cases in 2016, compared with IVAs (54%) and DROs (29%).

DROs rose by 4% compared to April but remained below March’s record level.

There were 656 bankruptcies in May 2026, of which 516 resulted from debtors’ applications. The number of applications was 15% lower than in April 2026 but 6% higher than in May 2025. The remaining 140 cases arose from creditors’ petitions, representing a 1% decrease from April 2026 and a 20% decrease compared to May 2025.

There were 6,376 IVAs in May 2026, up 3% from April and 12% from May last year. IVA numbers in early 2026 are higher than the average in 2025.

There were 4,817 Breathing Space registrations in May 2026. This is 38% lower than in May 2025. Numbers of breathing spaces have been lower since December 2025 after StepChange updated its suitability criteria for its clients to apply for a breathing space.

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 Q1 2026 covers the period 1 January to 31 March 2026. In Q1 2026, there were 2,003 individual insolvencies in Scotland, which was 20% higher than in the same quarter of 2025.

The individual insolvencies were comprised of 1,273 protected trust deeds and 730 bankruptcies (also known as sequestrations), of which 381 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 May 2026, there were 140 individual insolvencies in Northern Ireland. This was 37% higher than in May 2025. There were 99 IVAs, 20 bankruptcies and 21 DROs.