UK personal insolvencies hit seven-year high

Jump in insolvencies follows period of rising inflation and lacklustre wage increases

A jump in personal insolvencies in the fourth quarter of 2018 sent the total number of people going bust last year in England and Wales to the highest level since 2011.

Debt advisers blamed Brexit uncertainty, weak wages growth and tighter credit rules for forcing more people to declare themselves insolvent in the run-up to Christmas.