The number of insolvencies in freight transport may have already peaked, according to estimated official figures for the sector.
Despite regular announcements - seemingly every week - of companies within UK road haulage collapsing into administration or liquidation, the data suggests they have steadily fallen since 2023.
In response to a question asked by Surrey Heath Liberal Democrat MP Dr Al Pinkerton, the business secretary provided figures showing that estimated UK freight transport insolvencies increased from 195 in 2020 up to a high of 503 in 2023.
This then fell to 471 in 2024 and 401 last year.
Already in 2026, Booth Transport in Rotherham has ceased operations and appointed administrators and Knutsford removals and storage firm Johnsons collapsed into administration before being sold to London-based Amer Logistics.
Pinkerton also asked the business secretary what assessment had been made of how recent levels of insolvencies in the industry compared with those during the 2008 financial crisis.
Blair McDougall responded with figures showing that between 2008 and 2011 there were an estimated 1,536 freight transport companies that entered insolvency proceedings, with the number peaking in 2009 at 442.
However, between 2022 and 2025 there were a total of 1,786 insolvencies.
Industry bodies such as the RHA have campaigned for a fuel essential user rebate to protect UK businesses and bring fuel duty levels closer to those across Europe.
