Fall in levels of Insolvency

In recent months I have written on the dramatic growth of personal insolvencies in the UK over the last decade and of the reasons behind this growth. That is to say it was primarily down to the explosion of availability of credit and other economic factors. I have suggested that it will only get worse before it gets any better. Then earlier this month the third quarter statistics were released by the government’s Insolvency Service. They showed that for both forms of personal insolvency, bankruptcy and individual voluntary arrangements, there has been a fall. Continue reading

Taboos surrounding Insolvency, IVA’s and Debt

The past decade has experienced a huge growth in the number of personal insolvencies – Back in 1998 there were less than 30,000 per year. In 2007 it is likely that over 145,000 will be declared insolvent. To put this in context that equates to the entire population of Oxford for the year or 400 people each and every day. This growth has given rise to many myths and misconceptions as to the reasons behind the growth. Continue reading

Insolvency & Administration

Leeds United fans will have followed the current crisis at the club with great interest. Most football fans have heard of Administration and know that any club choosing this path will be automatically deducted 10 points. However, how many fans know exactly what it means and what are the implications? Continue reading

Self Employed workers and IVAs in the field of construction/property

Despite the record level of insolvencies in the UK, the Bank of England again has raised interest rates taking them up to 5.5% which is a six year high. It is expected that at least one more rise will take place this year as the bank attempts to keep a tight control on inflation. These increases are hurting businesses especially in the construction industry as the property market slows and first time buyers in particular feel the squeeze. Continue reading

Insolvency while Pregnant

Recently published figures estimate that the cost of rearing a child from birth to twenty one years of age can be up to £200,000. Let us suppose that you are in an IVA and become pregnant. The prospect of trying to sustain your IVA during your pregnancy and especially after the birth of your baby can be a daunting one. The undoubted joy of having a baby must be tempered with the reality that financial pressures will increase. Nevertheless, many debtors in IVAs have successfully overcome the challenges posed in these circumstances. Continue reading