Research & Reports

Business Insolvency Statistics

Company insolvency figures, updated September 2024.

3 Mins
Chapter 1

Overview

Insolvency rates continue to offer a critical lens into the economic pressures faced by UK businesses. In September 2024, 2,190 companies in the UK and Northern Ireland entered insolvency—a 7% decrease from August and a notable 16% drop compared to the same period last year. Despite these improvements, key sectors such as construction remain under strain, illustrating the ongoing economic challenges many industries face.

For real-time insights and proactive updates, discover how Creditsafe can support your business in managing insolvency risks through our platform.

Key Findings – September 2024

  • Total Insolvencies: 2,190 companies declared insolvency in the UK and Northern Ireland.
  • Month-over-Month Change: A 7% decline in insolvencies from August 2024 suggests a slight boost in business resilience.
  • Year-over-Year Change: There was a 16% reduction compared to September 2023, suggesting that while many businesses have adapted to economic pressures, the journey to stability remains uneven.
  • Sector Impact: The construction sector accounted for 16% of all insolvencies, with only a 1% decrease from August. However, the collapse of construction giant ISG, which ceased UK operations immediately after entering administration on 19th September, highlights the ongoing challenges within the sector, emphasising broader economic uncertainties.

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Chapter 1

Insolvencies by Month

Total number of insolvencies by month.

September 2024 brought a notable shift in the insolvency landscape. After a challenging few months, insolvencies decreased by 7% compared to the same period last year, suggesting that some businesses have adapted to economic pressures and are starting to see some relief.

However, underlying economic pressures remain, with businesses still bearing the weight as the UK economy strives to turn a corner after years of stagnation. Companies continue to face a complex mix of challenges, from strained consumer spending and rising operational costs to supply chain disruptions caused by ongoing geopolitical tensions. For many, achieving stability remains a moving target.

Looking at the broader picture, the insolvency landscape in 2023 was marked by 30,199 company failures across the UK. This figure represents a 12% rise from the previous year and an alarming 52% increase compared to 2021. Such significant growth in insolvencies reflects the ongoing turmoil in the economy and the persistent difficulties businesses encounter while adjusting to rapidly changing market dynamics.

Chapter 1

Insolvencies by Sector

The total number of insolvencies by sector YTD.

The construction sector continues to be a major player in insolvency statistics, accounting for 16% of all insolvencies in September 2024. With 350 construction companies declaring insolvency, the ongoing struggles of this sector highlight the persistent challenges it faces.

Most notably, London-based construction giant ISG entered insolvency on September 19, resulting in its UK operations ceasing trading with “immediate effect” and the loss of 2,200 jobs. The collapse of ISG has reignited calls for reform within the construction industry, as experts emphasise the need for systemic changes to address its vulnerabilities, demonstrating that even the largest firms are not immune to these pressures.

The Wholesale and Retail and Accommodation and Food Services sectors continue to see stubbornly high insolvency rates. In September 2024, these sectors saw 350 and 282 companies enter insolvency, respectively. Together, they represent 28% of all insolvencies for the month, underscoring their vulnerability amidst ongoing economic pressures.

The table below provides a comprehensive overview of insolvency trends year-to-date (January - December 2024) by sector. It also compares these figures with previous years (2021, 2022, and 2023), offering a clearer picture of the sector-specific shifts and changes in insolvency rates.

Want to explore the data for yourself?

Whether you want to understand the impact of Insolvencies across a group of sectors or the likelihood of an individual company becoming insolvent, you can find all of this data and more within the Creditsafe platform.

Chapter 1

Methodology

Creditsafe uses the following statuses to determine if a company has become insolvent and will count insolvency based on its first insolvency trigger from one of the statuses below:

  • In Liquidation.
  • Administrator Appointed.
  • Appointment of Liquidator.
  • Meeting of Creditors.
  • In Administration.
  • In Receivership.
  • Administrative Receiver Appointed.
  • Administration Order.
  • The company is wound-up.