Personal insolvencies increase by 5%

20th July 2026

Latest monthly figures from the Insolvency Service for England & Wales for June 2026  show that there were 11,871 personal insolvencies,  5% higher than in May 2026 and 16% higher than in June 2025.

The insolvencies consisted of 674 bankruptcies, 3,879 debt relief orders (DROs) and 7,318 individual voluntary arrangements (IVAs).

The 7,318 IVAs registered in June 2026 were 13% higher than in May 2026 and 33% higher than in June 2025.

In June 2026, there were 3,879 DROs, 7% lower than May 2026 and 7% lower than June 2025.

There were 674 bankruptcies in June 2026, which was similar to May 2026, but 9% higher than June 2025. Since March 2026, monthly bankruptcy volumes have on average been slightly higher than in the same month in 2025.

There were 4,495 breathing spaces registered under the Debt Respite Scheme in June 2026. This is 41% lower than in June 2025. 

Commenting on the latest numbers, Sonia Jordan, President of R3 and Restructuring and Insolvency Partner at Knights, said “Personal insolvencies increased again in June rising by 5% to 11,871 cases, compared to 11,303 in May, and were 16% higher than the same month last year.

“This demonstrates the acute pressures on household finances. The 13% rise in the energy price cap from July will add further pressure to already stretched budgets, and reports that more workers are reducing or stopping pension contributions shows how some people are having to treat even long-term financial planning as discretionary spending.

“The Insolvency Service’s investment in digitising parts of the debt relief order process is a positive step if it makes it easier for people in financial distress to access the right solution. However, if this leads to increased demand, it will be important to ensure there is enough capacity in the system so people can get help quickly and are not left in limbo.”