Charity insolvencies mount as trusts, schools and arts bodies collapse

Hestercombe Gardens near Taunton is in administration, with joint administrators appointed, seeking to keep the gardens and house open. The Audience Agency was liquidated on 10 September with a deficit of nearly £475,000 after Arts Council funding cuts.

Auditory Verbal in Bicester went into liquidation in May, owing creditors £433,557 and costing 30 jobs. Moorland Private School in Clitheroe closed owing £1.7m, including £500,000 to HMRC and £700,000 to Barclays. The Charity Commission reports rising numbers of charities in financial difficulty.