New research from uSwitchforBusiness.com suggests that a feeling of optimism is growing among SMEs. The research reveals that over four in ten SME owners (42%) report seeing some signs of economic recovery, with a further 1% saying that these signs are strong.

The findings also reveal a small increase in the number of small businesses confident that they will survive, with 81% now of the belief that they will get through the downturn, compared with 76% in the first quarter of this year.

However, small business owners still expect the recession to have a long lasting impact. Over a quarter (27%) … Continue Reading

Statistics showing insolvencies in the third quarter of 2009 were published today (6th November 2009) by the Insolvency Service.

There were 4,716 compulsory liquidations and creditors’ voluntary liquidations in total in England and Wales in the third quarter of 2009 (on a seasonally adjusted basis). This was a decrease of 4.7% on the previous quarter but an increase of 14.6% on the same period a year ago.

This was made up of 1,301 compulsory liquidations (which are down 9.8% on the previous quarter and down 12.9% on the corresponding quarter of the previous year), and 3,415 creditors voluntary liquidations (which are … Continue Reading

The Insolvency Service has released the latest figures on company insolvencies and it makes for grim reading.

In the twelve months ending Q2 2009, approximately 1 in 120 active companies (0.8%) went into liquidation, up slightly on the previous quarter when the figure was approximately 1 in 130.

There were 5,055 compulsory liquidations and creditors’ voluntary liquidations in total in England and Wales in the second quarter of 2009 (on a seasonally adjusted basis) – an increase of 39.1% on the same period a year ago.

This was made up of 1,457 compulsory liquidations (up 8.7% on the corresponding quarter of the … Continue Reading