Insolvency
Construction still leads the UK's company failures
Almost one in six company insolvencies in England and Wales over the past year was a building firm. Here is how to protect your cash.
Original analysis
The Data Desk
All chartsCompanies, England and Wales. Source: Insolvency Service.
- Construction3,873
- Wholesale and retail3,364
- Hospitality3,208
- Admin and support2,202
- Professional services1,897
Oct 2025 to Sep 2026. Our calculation from Insolvency Service tables. Updated 11 Nov 2026.
Guides that pay for themselves
All guides
The Rulebook: what's coming
Full timeline1 Jan 2027
Unfair dismissal at six months
The qualifying period falls to six months, and compensatory awards lose their cap.
1 Apr 2027
National Minimum Wage rises
The rate for workers aged 21 and over goes to £13.21. Apprentices move to £8.31.
6 Apr 2027
Making Tax Digital, second wave
The threshold drops to qualifying income over £30,000.
Oct 2027
Flexible working changes
New flexible working rules are planned, alongside stronger protection for new mothers.
Live from regulators
HMRC · 10 Nov 2026
Stay on top of your finances, start your Self Assessment todayHMRC · 6 Nov 2026
HMRC interest rates updateBIST · 3 Nov 2026
UK's steel trade measure from 1 July 2026DBT · 2 Nov 2026
Hundreds of employers handed penalties for illegally underpaying workersHMRC · 2 Nov 2026
Five things you need to know ahead of Making Tax Digital for Income Tax quarterly deadlineBSR · 27 Oct 2026
Have your say on the future of Part K of the building regulations
Automatic feed from GOV.UK. Checked 11 Nov 2026.
The Quote Studio
All toolsSix free tools. No sign-up. Your numbers never leave your browser.
Cover finder
Answer six questions and see which covers to look at for your work.
Subcontractor status check
Run a worker through HSE's indicators before you decide who to insure.
Quote comparison
Put up to three insurance quotes side by side and see the real twelve-month cost.
Late payment calculator
Work out the statutory interest and fixed sum you can claim on an overdue invoice.
Employee cost calculator
See what one worker really costs after employer National Insurance.
Quote inflation check
See how rising material prices eat into a fixed-price job.
Opinion
All opinionA fixed-price quote is now a gamble you should stop taking
With materials up 7.2% in a year, a promise made in March can bankrupt you by September.
The editors
The £5 insurance advert tells you almost nothing
If only one customer in ten pays it, it is a marketing number. The trade deserves better.
The editors
Ask to see the certificate. Every time
It takes thirty seconds and can save a business. Awkwardness is a poor reason to skip it.
The editors
