Barnsley scores 946 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 314th of 361 local authorities and 54 points below the UK benchmark. Its strongest pillar is ESG, where it sits just above the UK average, while Innovation is the weakest, sitting 67 points below. The composite score falls below both the South Yorkshire average of 981 and the Yorkshire and The Humber regional average of 976.
Barnsley's composite score is built from four pillars: Innovation, Scaling, Investment and ESG, weighted at 30%, 30%, 30% and 10% respectively.
The index measures the characteristics of active companies in each area, with corporate groups counted once. Because every score is an average across local companies rather than a total, authorities with very different numbers of businesses can be compared on equal terms.
The UK as a whole is set at 1,000, so Barnsley's 946 places it below that benchmark across its 9,508 active companies. Each score also comes with a likely range, which shows how much the figure could shift with a slightly different mix of companies; a score is only published when that range is narrow enough to rely on, and Barnsley's composite range of 934 to 958 meets that standard.
Yorkshire and The Humber
Each dot shows the pillar score on a scale where the UK as a whole scores 1,000, marked by the line. The paler band is the likely range. The composite weights Innovation, Scaling and Investment 30% each and ESG 10%.
How Barnsley's composite score of 946 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
933
Well below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−67 points against the UK · Likely range 917–949 · 30% of the composite
Innovation covers patents, academic spinouts, R&D grant value, membership of innovative sectors and IS-8 sector classification. Barnsley ranks 312th of 361 authorities on this pillar, scoring 933, which is 67 points below the UK benchmark, and outperforms only 13.6% of authorities. That places it among the lower-performing authorities in the country on this measure.
Tagged with any industry or buzzword on a curated list of innovative sectors, for example chips, biotechnology, quantum, AI, data, SaaS, FinTech and CleanTech. About 2.5% of companies.
Tagged with any of the eight IS-8 sectors: advanced manufacturing, clean energy, creative industries, digital and technologies, financial services, life sciences, professional and business services, and defence. About 18% of companies.
We publish a score for each pillar, not for the measures inside it. The percentage beside each measure is how much it counts towards the pillar score. Select the lock to see the companies behind a measure on the Beauhurst platform.
Scaling
969
Well below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−31 points against the UK · Likely range 946–992 · 30% of the composite
The Scaling pillar captures whether companies are recognised scaleups, their headcount growth over recent years, and accelerator attendance. Barnsley scores 969 here, 31 points below the UK average, and ranks 296th of 360 authorities. It is the pillar closest to the national benchmark and outperforms 17.8% of authorities.
Annualised three-year employee growth rate over the latest four years of accounts, including group accounts, for companies with five or more employees at the start (capped). All other companies count as zero.
We publish a score for each pillar, not for the measures inside it. The percentage beside each measure is how much it counts towards the pillar score. Select the lock to see the companies behind a measure on the Beauhurst platform.
Investment
917
Well below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−83 points against the UK · Likely range 894–940 · 30% of the composite
Investment reflects equity-raising activity, including whether companies raised equity in the last five years, the amount raised and whether they were first-time raisers. At 917, Barnsley's Investment score is 83 points below the UK benchmark, its largest gap from the national average, though it still outperforms 18.6% of the 360 authorities ranked on this pillar.
Whether the company's first equity deal ever was in the last five years. A first-time raiser always counts as an equity raiser too.
We publish a score for each pillar, not for the measures inside it. The percentage beside each measure is how much it counts towards the pillar score. Select the lock to see the companies behind a measure on the Beauhurst platform.
ESG
1,003
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+3 points against the UK · Likely range 985–1,021 · 10% of the composite
ESG measures clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and not-for-profit proxy status. With a score of 1,003, Barnsley sits 3 points above the UK benchmark on ESG, ranking 207th of 361 authorities and outperforming 42.7% of them. This is Barnsley's highest-performing pillar and the only one where it exceeds the national average.
Is limited by guarantee without share capital, a rough indicator of non-profit status.
We publish a score for each pillar, not for the measures inside it. The percentage beside each measure is how much it counts towards the pillar score. Select the lock to see the companies behind a measure on the Beauhurst platform.
Compared to South Yorkshire
The chart below shows how Barnsley's composite score and pillar scores compare with the other authorities in South Yorkshire.
What is Barnsley's score on the UK Local Growth Index?
Barnsley scores 946 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 314th of 361 local authorities. That is 54 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000.
How does Barnsley compare with the rest of South Yorkshire?
Barnsley ranks 4th of the 4 authorities in South Yorkshire, scoring 35 points below the county average of 981. Sheffield is the leading authority in South Yorkshire with a score of 1,011.
How does Barnsley compare with the Yorkshire and The Humber region?
Barnsley ranks 13th of 15 authorities in Yorkshire and The Humber, scoring 30 points below the regional average of 976.
Which pillar is Barnsley's strongest?
ESG is Barnsley's strongest pillar, with a score of 1,003, which is 3 points above the UK benchmark. It ranks 207th of 361 authorities on ESG and outperforms 42.7% of them.
Where does Barnsley rank on Innovation?
Innovation is Barnsley's weakest pillar. It scores 933, placing it 312th of 361 authorities and 67 points below the UK benchmark, outperforming only 13.6% of authorities.
How many companies are counted in Barnsley's score?
The index covers 9,508 active companies in Barnsley, with corporate groups counted once rather than as separate registered entities.
Explore the data behind the index
Every score on this page is built from real, named company activity, patent filings, fundraisings, spinouts and scaleups. Book a call to see the data behind any authority's score, and how Beauhurst can support your work.
