The latest 'Confidence in the Regime' report draws on the views of insolvency practitioners, directors, academics and legal professionals as well as people in debt and creditors.
The 2025-2026 'Confidence in the Regime' report captures the views of some of those most impacted by recent Insolvency Service key policies.
These reports are a qualitative response to the organisation's five-year strategy - now in its final year.
It found meaningful improvements have been made to the insolvency and enforcement regimes.
The Insolvency Service has published its latest 'Confidence in the Regime' report , which looks at how the actions and policies of the Insolvency Service have been received by stakeholders across the insolvency community.
The latest report was commissioned to gauge the success of the organisation's five-year strategy, now in its final year.
The research sought the views of insolvency practitioners, people in debt, creditors, directors, academics, legal professionals.
The findings will be used by the Insolvency Service to help shape how the regime will work in the future and further improve confidence in the system.
What we found
Confidence has increased, particularly in the insolvency regime.
Reforms to Debt Relief Orders (DROs) and Individual Voluntary Arrangements (IVAs) were strongly supported.
DRO reforms widened access and removed barriers preventing customers entering the DRO at the optimum time.
Changes around IVAs provided consumers with better information and provided positive steps towards a fairer system.
Proposals to strengthen insolvency practitioner regulation were also welcomed.
Overall, confidence in the insolvency system has improved due to clearer information, better solutions, and more efficient processes. Remaining concerns include high bankruptcy costs and inconsistencies in corporate practices.
Duncan Beach, Chief Executive of the Insolvency Service said:
This report clearly shows the Insolvency Service and our partners across the sector are making meaningful improvements to the insolvency system.
Just as importantly, this is evidence that these reforms and regulations are having a positive impact on those who find themselves with challenging debt.
I am confident that an ever-improving insolvency system - one which is fairer and is flexible to the unpredictable financial world we live in - can also benefit the economy.
We know there's a long way to go, and this report will contribute to our new strategy - which we'll publish later this year - aiming to further inspire confidence in the insolvency system and be at the forefront of change that helps the public and practitioners alike.
My thanks to all those who took part - these thorough, independent, qualitative reports provide such valuable information to us.
Background to 'Confidence in the Regime' reports
In September 2021, The Insolvency Service published its five-year (2021-26) strategic plan setting out the future direction of the Agency.
The Insolvency Service's vision is for it to be at the centre of a fair, efficient and effective insolvency system that is a global leader in insolvency solutions for citizens and for businesses, underpinned and supported by a profession that is recognised for the highest professional, technical and ethical standards when carrying out its work.
Key to understanding whether this vision is realised is the extent to which stakeholders have confidence in both the insolvency and enforcement regimes.
The Insolvency Service commissioned IFF Research to undertake qualitative research to provide a baseline on stakeholder's confidence in the insolvency and enforcement regimes.
