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A personal problem?

By Gary Pettit

PBC Business Recovery & Insolvency

INVARIABLY, when we talk about insolvency people start thinking of the likes of BHS, Toys R Us and other large corporate concerns. However, what about a problem that is closer to home?

The Insolvency Service recently released the statistics for Q2 of 2018. These show corporate insolvency numbers were down on the previous quarter (although still higher than the equivalent period of 2017) whereas personal insolvency reached its highest level since 2012. In fact, in the 12 months ended 30 June 2018, one in every 433 adults in the UK entered some form of personal insolvency.

What is interesting is the number of individual voluntary arrangements (in short, a deal with your creditors) continue to exceed bankruptcies. The reason for this could be in 2015 the minimum debt for which you can petition for someone to be made bankrupt increased from £750 to £5,000.

Alternatively, it is more likely people are taking responsibility for addressing accrued personal debt and seek to enter into an IVA as a means of managing their affairs. A recent high-profile case is that of Katie Price (aka Jordan) whose bankruptcy hearing was adjourned while her advisors look at the viability of her entering into an IVA. You have to wonder how someone previously reported as being worth £45m finds themselves in that position but it does demonstrate it can happen to anyone.

It is very simple to say people who fall into personal insolvency were reckless and spent beyond their means. However, examples I have handled include:

* A solicitor who was hit with partnership liabilities two years after he had left the partnership.

* Directors whose company fails resulting in personal guarantee liabilities arising.

* The legacy of ill health or a divorce.

* Redundancy causing a dramatic reduction in household income.

It seems, these days, people who end up falling into bankruptcy are either those who have simply nothing material to lose (or offer to creditors) or have buried their head and just let the level of creditor antagonism increase to the point of no return. Invariably, those who PBC have assisted find putting a proposal to creditors for an IVA far more likely to succeed than someone who has delayed, procrastinated or simply frustrated creditors to a point they lose any sympathy when it comes down to voting. The message remains as always, the sooner you take advice the better the situation is likely to be.

Should you require any advice or assistance with your financial affairs then contact either Gary Pettit or Gavin Bates at PBC Business Recovery & Insolvency on 01604 212150 or email to

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