Economic crisis 'wreaking havoc'

Jan 30 2013

The economic crisis continues to wreak havoc on businesses, while personal finances remain out of control, according to an analysis of annual bankruptcy figures.

The warning comes despite a drop in personal insolvencies and fewer companies going bust.

Overall personal insolvencies fell from 19,634 in 2011 to 18,392 last year and the number of companies going bust fell marginally from 1,278 to 1,264 over the same period.

Despite the fall, rates are still high, accountants and business advisers PKF said.

Bryan Jackson, a recovery partner with PKF, said: "We can see from the 2012 numbers that the recession, if it ever went away, is continuing to wreak havoc on corporate Scotland with almost 25 companies a week going bust."

The hospitality, construction and retail sectors have all suffered and the threat of a triple-dip recession remains, he said.

"There is little doubt, however, that 2013 will pose as many problems for the Scottish corporate sector as 2012 did," said Mr Jackson.

Personal insolvencies, although falling, have doubled in nine years.

"The concern is that thousands of Scots who have assets remain in deep financial trouble and are having to undergo the major decision to become bankrupt," he said.

"Even after five years of the recession we are still seeing enormous numbers of individuals whose finances are out of control. We still have some way to go before personal bankruptcy in Scotland starts to fall in any meaningful way and these figures highlight that it remains the home-owning, working population that is still being badly affected by the economic downturn."