Official statistics for individual insolvencies in England and Wales 2000 to 2016, broken down by region and local authority areas, age and gender, have been released.

Key findings:

• The total insolvency rate increased for the first time since 2009, and increased in all regions of England and Wales between 2015 and 2016.
• The North East continued to have the highest insolvency rates, while London had the lowest.
• Nine out of 10 local authorities with the lowest insolvency rates were in London or the South East, while seven out of the 10 areas with the highest rates were located in coastal areas.
• The insolvency rate for women was higher than the rate for men for the third successive year, and the gap has continued to widen.
• Insolvency rates were highest in the 35-44 age group.
• Insolvency rates increased for all age groups except 55 and over, with those aged between 18-44 showing the biggest rises.

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