• Swindon & Wiltshire Economy
• Monday November 10 2025

Insolvency-related activity increases by more than 12 per cent in Wiltshire and Berkshire

Insolvency-related activity rose again in Wiltshire, Berkshire and the South East last month, says R3, the UK’s restructuring, turnaround and insolvency trade body.

R3’s analysis of data provided by Creditsafe indicated an increase in insolvency-related activities from 187 in September to 210 in October.

This represents a 12.3 per cent monthly increase although October’s figure is also 28.3 per cent below the same period, which experienced a spike, in 2024.

The figures include administrator and liquidator appointments together with creditors’ meetings.

The South East figure for insolvency-related activities remains the sixth highest in the UK, behind Greater London with 474, the North West 442, East Anglia 323, the West Midlands 268 and Yorkshire & Humberside 258.

The rise in the South East is in line with the vast majority of the rest of the UK, with a decrease only in Wales.

Neil Stewart, chairman of R3’s Southern and Thames Valley region, viewed the figures as disappointing, but not surprising.

He said: “We remain in a period of great economic uncertainty which inevitably leads to fluctuations, but a 10 per cent rise in September followed by October’s 12.3 per cent is clearly a cause for concern.

“On a positive note, insolvency activity has decreased by 28.3 per cent from the same month last year.

“All eyes will be on the Chancellor Rachel Reeves when she presents the Budget on November 26.

“Business leaders up and down the country, many of whom are delaying major investment or recruitment decisions, will be hoping for measures that help restore confidence.

“Whatever the outcome, the pressure on businesses remains considerable. They are facing higher employment, energy and materials costs, creditors are taking more proactive measures, national growth is sluggish, the cost of borrowing remains relatively high, the consumer prices index is hovering above four per cent and customer spending is subdued.

“In short, many businesses are battling for their very survival – and we at R3 will continue to support them wherever we can.”

R3’s Southern & Thames Valley region includes Kent, Surrey, Sussex, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Dorset, Wiltshire and Berkshire.

Neil, a regional associate director at insolvency litigation financing company Manolete Partners, encouraged business owners across the South and Thames Valley to remain watchful.

He said: “Our message to directors is simple: be alert to signs your business could be financially distressed and seek advice as soon as there is a hint of financial difficulty.

“Most R3 members offer an initial consultation free of charge, giving business owners a chance to understand their options before matters become critical.”

The latest Creditsafe data shows that number of companies with invoices that had gone past their payment date rose slightly from 57,558 in September to 57,702 in October.

The number of start-ups in the South East decreased from 6,406 in September to 6,220 which is 2.3 per cent up on a year ago.