The rate of business insolvencies has risen 0.096 to 0.114% in March, according to the latest Insolvency Index from Experian.

The average financial strength score also fell from 81.18 in February to 80.99 in March, with the biggest fall coming from the smallest businesses (with one to two employees) - from 82.48 in February to 82.31 in March. 

However, the rate of insolvencies improved year-on-year on March 2009, when the rate peaked at 0.13%. Year–on-year change average financial strength of businesses also improved from the 79.72 recorded in March 2009.

Rolf Hickmann, managing director of Experian company pH, says: “Unlike the last recession, when business insolvencies were more than double the rates witnessed during this recession, the business economy has not been admitted to intensive care.  In fact, insolvencies have been coming down since early 2009 and, despite the odd monthly fluctuations, are now far more stable.”