Those of us who dabble in the insolvency world keep a keen lookout for the Insolvency Service’s insolvency statistics whenever they appear. 

Recent statistics published in January contained few surprises: comparing 2021 with 2020, creditors’ voluntary liquidations (CVLs) were up, whilst all other types of company insolvencies (including company voluntary arrangements (CVAs), administrations and compulsory liquidations) were down.

This represented a familiar trend - ever since the pandemic began, the total number of company insolvencies has lagged behind pre-pandemic levels. However, thanks to a rapid increase in CVLs in the second half of 2021, in Q4 corporate insolvencies tipped above levels last seen in early 2020.