More than 1,200 businesses in Newport reported 'significant' financial distress in the final quarter of 2025, reflecting a 3.8 per cent year-on-year increase. In Newport, 1,251 businesses were flagged for significant distress, up from 1,205 in the same period in 2024. Cardiff saw a 9.5 per cent rise to 2,469 businesses, while Swansea recorded a 10.8 per cent increase to 606. Nationally, Wales recorded 19,788 businesses in distress, a 2.7 per cent increase year-on-year. Construction and real estate continue to be the hardest-hit sectors, with the latter reporting 11,379 businesses in distress across Wales.