The latest data from the Insolvency Service shows 2,022 company insolvencies were registered in England and Wales in March 2026, marking a 7% rise on the previous month.
Of the 2,022 registered company insolvencies in March, there were:
Figure 1: The number of registered company insolvencies in England and Wales was 2,022 in March 2026, 7% higher than in February 2026
Sources: Insolvency Service (compulsory liquidations only); Companies House (all other insolvency procedures)
In March 2026, Creditor Voluntary Liquidations (CVLs) made up 73% of all company insolvencies. The number of CVLs remained consistent with February 2026 but was 6% lower compared to the same month last year, March 2025.
The number of compulsory liquidations in March 2026 was 18% higher than in February 2026 and 4% higher than in March 2025. However, compulsory liquidations in March 2026 were 4% lower than the average monthly total for 2025.
In March 2026, there were 235 administrations, which is 52% higher than in February 2026, 82% higher than in March 2025, and 89% higher than the average monthly figure for 2025.
There were 20 CVAs in March 2026, which was twice as high as in February 2026 and 18% higher than in March 2025.
The six industries that experienced the highest number of insolvencies in the 12 months to February 2026 were:
Figure 2: For most sectors, the number of insolvencies in the 12 months to February 2026 was similar to that in the 12 months to February 2025.
At CoCredo, we’ve been offering company credit check and monitoring services across the UK, Ireland, and globally for over 20 years. Our recent success at the CICM British Credit Awards 2025 reflects our ongoing commitment to delivering exceptional service and our passion for excellence.
CoCredo’s MD, Dan Hancocks, says, “The March 2026 insolvency figures highlight just how uneven the current landscape is for UK businesses. On the surface, we’ve seen a noticeable month-on-month increase in insolvencies, rising to just over 2,000 cases. However, this spike appears to be influenced by a one-off event: a cluster of related real estate companies entered administration at the same time.
If we strip that out, the underlying picture is more measured. Businesses are still operating under pressure from rising costs, tighter margins, and ongoing economic uncertainty, but the overall trend points to a gradual adjustment rather than a sharp deterioration.
What’s encouraging is the resilience we continue to see across much of the UK business base. Many companies are adapting in real time — managing cash flow more tightly, reassessing risk exposure, and making earlier, more proactive decisions to protect their position.
That said, the environment is becoming increasingly complex. External pressures, from sustained cost inflation to wider geopolitical uncertainty, are now filtering through more directly into day-to-day business performance. For sectors such as construction, retail, and real estate, that impact is particularly pronounced.
The key takeaway is that while insolvency levels can be influenced by short-term events, the broader challenge for businesses hasn’t changed. Staying close to your customers and suppliers, understanding where risk is building, and acting early will be critical in navigating what remains a very fluid trading environment.”
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