Parliamentary Search

Written question asked by Norman Baker (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 8 February 2010, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 10 February 2010. It was answered by Ian Lucas (Labour) on Monday, 22 February 2010 on behalf of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.

Bankruptcy: Sussex

Question
To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many bankruptcies of (a) individuals in each age group resident in and (b) businesses based in (i) Lewes constituency and (ii) East Sussex there were in each of the last five years.
Answer

Figures for bankrupts in East Sussex and Lewes constituency by age group for the last five years are shown in Tables 1 and 2 below.

Table 1: Bankruptcies in Lewes¹
Age group²
Under 25 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65+ Unknown
2004 2 17 18 17 6 0 4
2005 7 22 17 19 12 3 4
2006 6 28 39 23 10 4 9
2007 4 22 24 29 15 6 11
2008 1 13 25 16 10 3 16
¹ Where bankrupt has provided a valid postcode (from 94.5 per cent. in 2004 to 96.9 per cent. in 2008).
² Where bankrupt has provided a valid date of birth (from 92.3 per cent. in 2004 to 93.4 per cent. in 2008).
Table 2: Bankruptcies in East Sussex¹
Age group-
Under 25 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65+ Unknown
2004 26 107 126 102 52 9 41
2005 32 152 180 125 80 22 53
2006 43 179 238 143 93 26 41
2007 27 151 217 141 102 34 53
2008 26 146 194 152 64 36 79
¹ Where bankrupt has provided a valid postcode (from 94.5 per cent. in 2004 to 96.9 per cent. in 2008)
² Where bankrupt has provided a valid date of birth (from 92.3 per cent. in 2004 to 93.4 per cent. in 2008).

Self-employed traders may be declared bankrupt (or enter into an individual voluntary arrangement [IVA]), however, registered companies are the subject of liquidation (compulsory liquidation or creditors voluntary liquidation (CVL)).Table 3 shows the number of self employed traders who were declared bankrupt in each of the last five years.

Table 3: Bankruptcies amongst sole traders in Lewes and East Sussex
Area¹
Year² Lewes East Sussex
2004 22 132
2005 14 144
2006 33 154
2007 20 140
2008 28 138
¹ Where bankrupt has provided a valid postcode (from 94.5 per cent. in 2004 to 96.9 per cent. in 2008).
² Figures from October 2006 are compiled on a different basis and are not comparable to earlier figures.

Regional figures for 2009 are not currently available for bankruptcies, as they are compiled on an annual basis. They should be available later in 2010.Statistics covering corporate insolvencies, including liquidation, are not currently available at a sub-national level within England and Wales.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
506 c282-3W; 317029
Session
2009-10
Subjects
Bankruptcy East Sussex Sussex
Contains statistics
Yes
Link
View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk