What can I claim from the state when my employer goes bust?

Insolvency occurs when an employer is declared bankrupt.

Ex-employees become preferential creditors for some aspects of their terms and conditions of employment and payments from the National Insurance fund up to a statutory maximum can be made to cover:

• a statutory redundancy payment
• unpaid wages, up to a maximum of eight weeks wages at the current statutory maximum (currently £310 per week)
• accrued holiday pay, up to a maximum of six weeks
• wages payable during the statutory notice period

Claims must be made in writing to the Department Of Trade and Industry.