The July to September 2022 (Q3) company insolvency stats for England and Wales have been published by The Insolvency Service, together with related figures for Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Company insolvency statistics for England and Wales – Q3 2022

It should be noted that unlike monthly insolvency statistics, quarterly statistics are seasonally adjusted to account for seasonal variation in insolvencies across the year and allow for comparison to the most recent period within years.

After seasonal adjustment (where applicable), there were a total of 5,595 company insolvencies in England and Wales in Q3 2022, including:

• 4,800 creditors’ voluntary liquidations (CVLs)
• 492 compulsory liquidations
• 274 administrations
• 29 company voluntary arrangements (CVAs)
• 0 receiverships

Total company insolvencies in Q3 2022 decreased by 1% from Q2 2022, but increased by 40% from the same quarter in the previous year.

The overall decrease in company insolvencies in Q3 2022 was driven by a fall in CVLs, which accounted for 86% of all company insolvencies. These decreased by 2% from Q2 2022. The number of CVLs was near last quarters record high in the time series, which began in 1960.

Moratoriums and restructuring plans

Between 26 June 2020 and 30 September 2022, 40 companies obtained a moratorium and 12 companies had a restructuring plan registered at Companies House, procedures created by Created by the Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020.

Liquidation rate statistics for England and Wales – Q3 2022

In the 12 months ending Q3 2022:

• 1 in 213 companies were liquidated
• the company liquidation rate was 46.9 per 10,000 active companies in England and Wales
• the company liquidation rate was higher than the 12 months ending Q2 2022 (3%) and significantly higher than the same quarter a year ago (17.6%)

Unlike the absolute number of liquidations over a period, the liquidation rate indicates the probability of a company entering liquidation in the previous four quarters. In general, periods of economic growth result in liquidation rates decreasing.

Industry sector insolvency findings for England and Wales – Q3 2022

In the 12 months ending Q3 2022, the construction industry had the highest number of new underlying company insolvencies (3,949), 19% of cases with industry captured.

Elsewhere the wholesale and retail trade; repair of vehicles (2,910) and accommodation and food services activities (2,478) groupings had the second and third highest number of new underlying company insolvencies in the 12 months ending Q3 2022.

Scotland company insolvency statistics – Q3 2022

The Accountant in Bankruptcy, Scotland’s Insolvency Service, administers company insolvency in Scotland. They reported that in Q3 2022, there were 276 company insolvencies, 19% higher than the same quarter in 2021. Of the total company insolvencies in Scotland, there were:

• 76 compulsory liquidations
• 188 CVLs
• 11 administrations
• 1 CVA
• 0 receiverships

Due to administrative differences, most company liquidations in Scotland are compulsory liquidations. This contrasts with England and Wales where creditors’ voluntary liquidations (CVLs) account for most company liquidations. Figures in Scotland are also not seasonally adjusted.

Northern Ireland company insolvency statistics – Q3 2022

In Northern Ireland in Q3 2022, there were 50 company insolvencies, an increase of 47% when compared to the same quarter of 2021. Of the total company insolvencies in Northern Ireland, there were:

• 5 compulsory liquidations
• 38 CVLs
• 3 CVAs
• 4 administrations
• 0 administrative receiverships

Please note, the figures for Northern Ireland are not seasonally-adjusted.

Where can I see insolvency notices in The Gazette?

The Gazette is the primary source of both corporate insolvency and personal insolvency information in the UK and publishes this information in the form of insolvency notices, allowing transparency for the public, the credit industry and concerned individuals to quantify risk and inform creditors. You can view all corporate and personal insolvency notices on The Gazette website.

The Gazette also provides a data service which gives access to official intelligence on all UK businesses, corporate and personal insolvencies. Benefits of The Gazette’s data service include:

• Bespoke reports - tailored around your specific business
• Geo-targeted editions - available for specific geographical targeting (National, London, Belfast, Edinburgh)
• Custom filters - specific custom attributes (company number, notice type, key terms)
• Data at regular intervals - delivered at a rate to match your business needs (daily, weekly, monthly)

For more information on The Gazette’s data service, contact the team on 01603 985949 or email data@thegazette.co.uk.

Enquire now

Next insolvency statistics release

Figures for Q4 2022 will be released on 31 January 2023.

See also

UK individual insolvency statistics – Q3 2022

Monthly UK insolvency statistics - September 2022

Company insolvency statistics – Q2 2022

What you need to know about Corporate Insolvency and Governance Bill

Find out more

Company Insolvency Statistics, July to September 2022 (GOV.UK)

The Insolvency Service (GOV.UK)

Accountant in Bankruptcy (AiB)

Image: Getty Images

Publication date: 31 October 2022