IVAs at a near four-year high: what the September 2026 figures mean for you

On 20 October 2026, the Insolvency Service published its official figures for September 2026. They show IVAs climbing again, while Debt Relief Orders and bankruptcies were broadly flat or down. Here’s what the numbers say, and what they don’t.

What the figures show

IVAs made up about six in ten of all personal insolvencies in the month.

Looking at the longer trend, one in 357 adults in England and Wales entered insolvency in the 12 months to 30 September 2026. A year earlier, it was one in 403.

A caveat about IVA numbers

IVAs are counted when they’re registered, not when they’re agreed. The Insolvency Service says figures for earlier months can be revised when there’s a delay between an IVA being agreed and registered, and that significant delays mean the numbers won’t reflect how many IVAs were agreed in a given month. December 2025 was a clear example: a backlog of cases agreed earlier was registered all at once. So treat a single month’s figure with some caution.

The statistics also don’t explain why more people are entering IVAs. They count what happened, not whether each IVA was the right choice.

What it means if you’re thinking about an IVA

An IVA being common doesn’t make it right for you. It’s a legally binding agreement with your creditors, set up and run by a licensed insolvency practitioner. It isn’t a government scheme, and nobody can promise in advance how much of your debt will be written off.

Before you agree to one, weigh up:

• The cost. Fees often add up to several thousand pounds, taken from your monthly payments. Read IVA fees explained.
• The length. Usually five years, and often six for homeowners.
• Your credit file. An IVA stays on it for six years.
• The risk of failure. If you can’t keep up payments and nothing is agreed, the IVA can fail. Roughly a third (34%) of IVAs registered between 2016 and 2018 ended in failure, according to the Insolvency Service. Read what happens if an IVA fails.

Advice quality matters too. In 2024, the Insolvency Service published research on a sample of failed IVAs and found poor practice in the early stages of 60% of them, including inaccurate budgets and other debt solutions being wrongly dismissed. Our IVA guide and is an IVA a good idea? set out the pros and cons in more detail.

The alternatives to check first

• Debt Relief Order (DRO). Free, lasts 12 months, and writes off the debts included. You may qualify if you owe £50,000 or less, have £75 a month or less spare income and assets of £2,000 or less. Try our DRO checker.
• Debt management plan. Informal and free from debt charities, but you repay in full. Read IVA vs debt management plan.
• Bankruptcy. Usually ends after 12 months, costs £680 to apply, but carries more risk to your home. Read IVA vs bankruptcy.
• Breathing Space. 60 days’ legal protection while you decide. Read the Breathing Space guide.

See all of these side by side in debt solutions compared.

What to do now

If someone has suggested an IVA, ask them:

1. What other options did you look at for me, and why is an IVA better?
2. What will the total fees be, and how much will my creditors get?
3. Who referred me to you, and is anyone being paid for that referral?
4. What happens if my income drops?

A good adviser will answer clearly and won’t rush you. You can also get free, impartial advice from debt charities and MoneyHelper before you decide.

Frequently asked questions

How many IVAs were there in September 2026?

7,385 in England and Wales, according to the Insolvency Service. That’s 17% more than in September 2025.

Is an IVA a government scheme?

No. IVAs are set out in law and run by licensed insolvency practitioners, but they’re not a government scheme or a government debt write-off.

Could the September figures change?

Yes. IVA numbers for recent months can be revised as late registrations come in.

Can I get a DRO instead of an IVA?

Possibly, if your debts, spare income and assets are under the DRO limits. A DRO is free and lasts 12 months. Check with our DRO checker.

Sources

• Insolvency Service, Commentary: Individual Insolvency Statistics September 2026
• Insolvency Service, Individual insolvencies, September 2026
• Insolvency Service, Commentary: Individual Voluntary Arrangements Outcomes and Providers 2025
• Insolvency Service, Research shows concerning level of poor practice in the IVA market
• GOV.UK, Individual Voluntary Arrangements