140,000 companies "in severe financial distress"-Begbies Traynor
Insolvency specialist says Q4 2009 figures come "despite government support measures"
More than 140,000 companies “experienced significant and critical financial
problems” in the fourth quarter of 2009, according to statistics from Begbies
Traynor.
The figure for companies in “high levels of corporate distress” for Q4 2009
is 6 percent higher than the figure for Q3 2009, but 14 percent lower than Q4
2008, according to the firm’s Red Flag report.
These statistics come “despite the positive effects of government fiscal
stimulus” such as the VAT rate reduction, quantitative easing and the Business
Payment Support Service, Begbies said.
Ric Traynor, executive chairman of Begbies Traynor, said: “Government support
measures are providing welcome relief to the UK’s struggling companies in the
short term but they may exacerbate problems for some businesses as the need to
repay debt catches up with them later in the year.
“Experience of the last four recessions tells us that unemployment levels and
corporate and personal insolvencies have lagged behind technical recession by 1
to 2 years. With tax and interest rates certain to rise, as well as increasing
pressure on consumer spending, there is every reason to suggest that the
insolvency peaks of this recession remain some way off.
While business finance is expected to become more readily available during
the first half of 2010, we anticipate a rise in the levels of financial distress
during the second half of 2010, as temporary financial support measures are
unwound.”
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