Britain’s economy faces a bracing fact: The number of companies that folded last year was the highest in three decades.
More than 25,000 companies registered as insolvent in 2023, the most since 1993, according to government data published this week.
As pandemic-related support measures for businesses ended, the wreckage from years of high debt and interest rates, soaring prices and a cost-of-living crisis become clearer.
Businesses still dealing with relatively high costs, demands for higher wages, supply chain uncertainties and wavering consumer confidence are hoping for brighter economic times.
Slower inflation, stronger growth and cuts to interest rates are expected to come this year, but not soon.
Organizations:
Bank of England