Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many winding-up orders HMRC has issued in each of the last 10 years.

HMRC will always offer practical support to viable businesses and will only petition the High Court for a Winding up Order where this cannot be avoided.

The number of petitions granted in each tax year is as follows:

2007/08 3,304

2008/09 3,257

2009/10 2,571

2010/11 2,408

2011/12 3,399

2012/13 2,541

2013/14 2,423

2014/15 2,582

2015/16 1,849

2016/17 2,145

2017/18* 1,325

*Figures for 2017-18 are for April to December inclusive only