Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to monitor the impact of energy price volatility on business insolvency rates.

Business insolvency rates over the last year are shown below.

Source: Insolvency Service – Company Insolvency Statistics March 2026

In March 2026, total company insolvencies were up 7% on the previous month and up 1% on a year earlier.

The proportion of UK SMEs reporting higher costs as a potential barrier is shown below.

Source: IPSOS - SME Finance Monitor Monthly Charts, Q1 2026

Ofgem, as the independent regulator of gas and electricity markets, actively monitors the non-domestic energy market, including to track outcomes for consumers. During periods of price volatility, Ofgem’s priority remains protecting consumers and ensuring the energy system continues to work for consumer across Britain. To support non-domestic customers, Ofgem has recently published guidance for businesses on how to manage business costs in an uncertain market: Managing business energy costs in an uncertain market | Ofgem.

In addition, the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero and Ofgem’s interim CEO recently wrote to non-domestic suppliers and energy third party intermediaries to set out their expectations as to how non-domestic customers should be supported during this period of price volatility.