The number of UK business insolvencies fell by 15.1% during April compared to the same month last year, according to the latest Insolvency Index from Experian.

The global information services company revealed that the total number fell from 2,274 in April 2009 to 1, 818 in April 2010. The year-on-year insolvency rate was down from 0.11% to 0.10% in April.

Mid-sized businesses suffered the most in last month. Companies with 26-50, 51-100 and 101-500 employees experienced the highest rate of insolvencies in April 2010 at 0.22, 0.26 and 0.24% respectively.

Other key highlights include:

• The North-East region saw the highest rate of insolvencies for the third consecutive month and was joined in April by Yorkshire and the West Midlands, all with a rate of 0.13%

• The East Midlands was the region to see the highest improvement, from an insolvency rate of 0.11% in April 2010 compared to 0.15% in April 2009.. 

• Scotland remained the region with the lowest rate of insolvency, although did see a slight increase on last year’s figure up to 0.07% from 0.05% in April 2009