Guides › Work and Employment › Employer Gone Bust: Claiming Wages, Holiday and Redundancy Pay
Employer Gone Bust: Claiming Wages, Holiday and Redundancy Pay
If your employer is insolvent, the government's Redundancy Payments Service can pay some of what you are owed: up to 8 weeks of unpaid wages, up to 6 weeks of holiday pay, statutory notice pay and statutory redundancy pay. Each is capped at £751 a week (£719 if you were made redundant before 6 April 2026). You need a case reference from the insolvency practitioner and must apply within 6 months of being dismissed.
At A Glance
Your Rights
What the rules say, with a link to the official source for each.
What You Can Get
Arrears of Pay
Up to 8 weeks of money you are owed under your contract, such as overtime, bonuses or commission. source
Holiday Pay
Up to 6 weeks of holiday, from the 12 months before the insolvency. source
Notice Pay
One week for each full year employed, up to 12 weeks. Benefits you got or could have got are deducted. source
Redundancy Pay
If you have 2 years' continuous employment, worked out by age and capped at 20 years. source
How to Apply
Step 1
Get your case reference (CN number) from the insolvency practitioner or official receiver, then apply online for redundancy, wages and holiday. Apply within 6 months of being dismissed. source
Step 2
Claim notice pay with the LN reference sent after your notice period would have ended, usually within 12 weeks. source
Time Limits to Know
Miss a deadline and you can lose a right. Check the dates on your own paperwork.
- 6 monthsTo apply for redundancy payFrom dismissal
- £751Weekly capFrom 6 April 2026
Steps to Take
Step 1 of 4
Ask the insolvency practitioner for your CN number.
Step 2 of 4
Gather payslips, your contract and holiday records.
Step 3 of 4
Apply online to the Redundancy Payments Service.
Step 4 of 4
Claim notice pay when your LN reference arrives.
(Tap the numbers to reveal steps)
Where to Go If It Is Not Put Right
Your options, in order, and when each one applies.
Redundancy Payments Service (GOV.UK)
Helpline 0330 331 0020.
Acas Helpline
Free and confidential. 0300 123 1100, Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.
Good to Know
Small things that make your complaint stronger.
Ask the insolvency practitioner about any missing pension contributions.
Rules here are for England, Scotland and Wales. Northern Ireland has its own employment law, the Labour Relations Agency and industrial tribunals; see nidirect.
Want Help?
If you would like one of our team to look at your problem, our initial case review is free. We cannot guarantee any outcome and we do not give legal advice.
Lead reviewer
Luke Marley
Founder and Lead Reviewer
Luke founded CPUK in 2026 after seeing how hard it is for ordinary people to get problems with companies put right. He oversees our guides and checks them against official sources.
Research by Katie Burt, Co-founder and Operations Lead (17 years in the care sector, including managing services for vulnerable adults), and the CPUK Research Team. Researched with AI-assisted research tools, then checked and corrected by our team.
Last checked: 15 October 2026. We are not paid by the companies we write about. Adverts never affect our guidance. Read our editorial policy.
Sources and official links
- gov.uk/your-rights-if-your-employer-is-insolvent/what-you-can-get Checked 15 October 2026
- gov.uk/your-rights-if-your-employer-is-insolvent/apply-money-owed Checked 15 October 2026
- acas.org.uk/contact Checked 8 October 2026