Research & Reports

Business Insolvency Statistics

Company insolvency figures, updated April 2026.

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Chapter 1

Overview

In April 2026, 2,296 businesses across the UK and Northern Ireland entered insolvency, 8% less than the same month last year and a 25% decrease from March 2026.

This sharp month-on-month decline comes after two consecutive months of increases, similar to 2025 when increases in February and March were followed by an April dip linked to year-end.

Insolvency levels remain elevated by historical standards. Businesses continue to face sustained pressure from rising operating costs, ongoing supply-chain disruption linked to geopolitical tensions, high interest rates, and weak consumer demand. Together, these factors are constraining margins and limiting the ability of businesses to absorb further shocks.

April highlighted the deepening pressures on the UK high street, with Claire's and GAME shutting its final standalone UK stores and Quiz Clothing awaiting an imminent decision on its future following its collapse into administration. 

April at a glance:

  • Total Insolvencies: 2,296 insolvencies across the UK and Northern Ireland.
  • Month-over-Month Change: -25% vs. March 2026
  • Year-on-Year Change: -8% vs. April 2025
  • Sector Impact: Construction continues to be the most affected sector, with 432 insolvencies

If you want to re-use this data, please contact [email protected]

Chapter 1

Insolvencies by Month

Total number of insolvencies by month.

A total of 2,296 businesses across the UK and Northern Ireland entered insolvency in April 2026, representing a 25% decrease from March and an 8% decrease compared with the same period in 2025.

Although the year-on-year figures suggest relative stability, significant underlying pressures remain. Many businesses continue to grapple with relentless cost pressures, including higher wage bills and supply chain disruption. Ongoing geopolitical tensions are also contributing to a heightened uncertainty in the market, further exacerbating risk for businesses already operating on thin margins.

To re-use this data, contact: [email protected]

Chapter 1

Insolvencies by Sector

The total number of insolvencies by sector YTD.

Construction remained the UK's hardest-hit sector in April, with 432 firms entering insolvency, accounting for 17% of all business failures that month.

Other sectors that are traditionally more exposed to high insolvency rates also saw an increase. Wholesale and Retail experienced 303 insolvencies, while Accommodation and Food Services saw 312 failures. Combined, these two sectors represent 26% of all insolvencies for the month, underscoring their vulnerability amidst ongoing economic pressures.

The table below provides a year-to-date (January-April 2026) breakdown of insolvencies by sector, comparing trends over the past four years (2022–2026) to highlight sector-specific shifts and challenges.

Chapter 1

Q1 2026 Analysis

Total insolvencies increased sharply over Q1 2026, with volumes rising steadily from January and peaking in March. March recorded a particularly strong uplift, taking total insolvencies 6% above Q1 2025 levels. However, this trend mirrors the seasonal build‑up seen last year, suggesting insolvency levels, while high by historical standards, are broadly stable.

Insolvencies remain heavily concentrated in construction and consumer‑facing sectors. Construction continued to record the highest volumes across the quarter, representing 1,159 of the 7,224 total insolvencies between January-March. Wholesale and retail insolvencies also rose through the quarter, highlighting ongoing pressures from tight margins and elevated costs, alongside weaker demand.

Overall, Q1 2026 data suggests that although insolvency pressures persist, the risk is not worsening.

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.