North East worst for insolvencies
People living in the north-east of England are still the most likely to become insolvent, according to government figures.
The Insolvency Service said the North East had the highest personal insolvency rate of anywhere in England and Wales in 2012.
The region has had the worst figures each year since 2008.
The south-west of England had the next highest insolvency rate, with Torbay in Devon the worst-hit town overall.
The figures are shown on a new map, which charts rates since the year 2000.
The total number of insolvencies has been falling steadily since 2009, when the financial crisis was at its peak.
In 2012, the average rate for England and Wales was 24.5 insolvencies per 10,000 people.
That compares with an average of 30.9 in the 2009 peak.
Within the category, bankruptcies and individual voluntary arrangements (IVAs) have fallen, while debt relief orders have increased.
But the North East retains the highest overall rate, of 33.3 insolvencies per 10,000 adults.
The South West had the second highest rate, at 29.3 per 10,000.
London had the lowest number of insolvencies per person last year.
Harrow, in north-west London, was the best performing area in England and Wales, with just 9.9 insolvencies per person in 2012.