Register of Insolvencies

The register of insolvencies is a statutory register about the insolvency of individuals and businesses in Scotland.

Go to the register

Statements on expenditure

Accountant in Bankruptcy is required to publish statements on its expenditure under the Public Services Reform (Scotland) Act.  This information includes statements on expenditure and breakdown of types of expenditure by quarter.
 
 
 

Increasing Sustainable Economic Growth

 
In 2010/11 the Agency continued with functions designed to fulfil its mission to ensure access to fair and just processes of debt relief and debt management for the people of Scotland, which takes account of the rights and interests of those involved.
 
Accountant in Bankruptcy is committed to promoting and increasing sustainable economic growth through the exercise of its functions in line with the Scottish Government’s Economic Strategy. The Agency helped contribute to promoting and increasing sustainable economic growth, through the activities listed below.
 
Following Royal Assent in March 2010, the Home Owner and Debtor Protection Act (HODP), with supporting Regulations, came into force on 15 November 2010. HODP introduced a number of important changes, the two most significant being the introduction of the Certificate for Sequestration and the option for the debtor’s main dwelling house to be excluded from Protected Trust Deeds. The primary purpose of the Certificate for Sequestration is a new route into bankruptcy for those who were previously unable to access bankruptcy but cannot meet their debts as they become due.
 
Significant effort has been given to developing policy in relation to the Debt Arrangement Scheme (DAS) during 2010/11. We have worked in close partnership with the money advice sector across Scotland to develop a revised scheme that can be accessed by more people in need. The Scottish Parliament approved the regulations in March 2011, paving the way for the launch of the new scheme on 1 July 2011. The new, improved DAS will benefit from a wider pool of money advisers, meaning that people across Scotland, no matter where they live, will be able to more easily access a DAS approved money adviser. In addition, the new scheme allows couples with joint debt to apply for a joint Debt Payment Programme and individuals with a single debt, not previously eligible for DAS, will now be able to access the scheme. The launch of DAS will be supported by a new website and a range of targeted publications. Arrangements have also been put in place to secure a panel of approved payment distributors before the scheme is launched. 
 
We have taken forward work to modernise the Scottish Rules, the regulations applicable to corporate insolvency in Scotland. This work has not progressed to a conclusion as the UK Government has introduced its Scotland Bill to Parliament which seeks to re-reserve corporate insolvency. We have been working closely with stakeholders across Scotland and with the UK Insolvency Service to ensure that Scotland’s needs are fully taken into account during the Parliamentary process of the Bill. 
 

Efficiency, Effectiveness and Economy

 
Efficient Government
 
In 2010/11, as in prior years, Accountant in Bankruptcy participated in the Scottish Government’s Efficient Government project. The 2010/11 the project required public bodies to deliver a 2% cash releasing efficiency saving measured against a 2007/08 baseline. For 2010/11 Accountant in Bankruptcy delivered 11.5% cash releasing efficiency savings against the 2% target, in monetary terms this amounted to a £1.34 million saving. Efficiency savings were generated largely through the Accountant in Bankruptcy’s use of its contract for insolvency services (£1.3m), the balance of 2010/11 efficiency savings (£0.04m) were generated through a new contract for cleaning services and a move to a shared service for building security.
 
Shared Services and Collaborative Contracts
 
Accountant in Bankruptcy is committed to taking advantage of shared service opportunities wherever these opportunities can demonstrate benefits to our customers and the public purse.
 
In 2010/11 the Agency made use of Scottish Government contracts for facilities management (contracts with Mitie, Serco and Dalkia). We also utilised the Scottish Government’s Land & Property Advice division for property related queries.
 
The Agency makes use of the Scottish Government Legal Directorate for advice and makes use of Scottish Government contracts for legal work in relation to the management of insolvency cases.
 
As an Executive Agency we make use of many Scottish Government systems. We use the Scottish Government Accounting System (SEAS) to record financial transactions, we also use the Scottish Government EASEbuy system for some procurement activity. Some finance support is also provided by the Scottish Government Treasury and Banking Team, for payments and banking of income, and Central Accountancy Services provide support for financial statements consolidation work. All Human Resource activity, including payroll, individual casework, grievances, HR policy and advice, contract management and recruitment for specific roles utilises the Scottish Government systems.
 
The Agency also has a strategic partnership with the Scottish Government’s Information Services and Information Systems division (ISIS) which delivers SCOTS & Network services, telephony and applications support.
 
Procurement and Contract Management
 
Accountant in Bankruptcy have recruited a permanent Procurement Manager who became fully qualified with the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply during 2010/11.
 
A number of recommendations were made to the Agency through the Procurement Capability Assessments, carried out in January 2010 and November 2010 by the Central Government Centre of Procurement Expertise. Through implementation of these recommendations, Accountant in Bankruptcy’s score of 26% Conformance in January 2010 showed a 15% increase to 41% Conformance by November 2010. We are continuing to work towards implementing further recommendations with a view to improving our scoring in future assessments.
 
Our procurement policy and purchasing procedures for staff have been updated and communicated through our internal and external websites, ensuring up to date contract information is available for interested parties.
 
The Contract Operations team within the Agency continues to manage the Insolvency Services Providers ensuring up to date management information is being collated to allow review of performance.  This management information will be used for commodity and supplier analysis in any future tendering exercise.