Experian's latest Business Insolvency Index counted five insolvencies last month across print, paper and packaging, equivalent to 0.15% of businesses within those sectors, up from three in June 2011.

However, the financial strength score, calculated using the number of insolvencies compared to the number of companies in the sector, improved to 84.65 from 84.41 (a score of 100 indicates the least likelihood of insolvency).

Overall 1,650 UK companies failed last month, representative of 0.08% of all businesses, compared to 1,841 in May and 1,783 in June 2011.

SMEs employing between one and 100 employees saw a slight decrease in insolvencies with those in the 51-100 bracket dropping the most, from 0.19% in June last year to 0.12% last month.

UK businesses employing upwards of 101 staff experienced a doubling in the percentage of insolvencies with 0.16% of the business population failing, compared to 0.08% in June 2011.

Experian business information services, UK & Ireland, managing director, Max Firth said: "Although the overall figures for June show a fairly stable environment at the moment led by smaller firms, the higher insolvency rate at the top end of the business world will have an impact on the supply chain.

"Many smaller suppliers, unless they have a good credit management process in place, will find themselves short of a major customer and left with unpaid bills.  They will need to move quickly to fill the gap in their customer base."