Blaenau Gwent scores 1,016 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 61st of 361 local authorities and 16 points above the UK benchmark. It ranks 2nd of 22 authorities in Wales, sitting 20 points above the Welsh average. Innovation is its strongest pillar, while Investment is the one area where it falls below the UK benchmark.
Each score is averaged across an area's active companies, with corporate groups counted once. That makes the index a measure of how active local companies are rather than how large the local economy is, allowing fair comparison between authorities of very different sizes.
A score of 1,000 represents the UK as a whole, so Blaenau Gwent's composite of 1,016 places it just above the national level. The likely range of 975 to 1,057 shows how much the score could shift with a slightly different mix of companies; a score is only published when that range is narrow enough to rely on.
Wales
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 Blaenau Gwent's composite score of 1,016 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
1,028
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+28 points against the UK · Likely range 967–1,089 · 30% of the composite
Innovation captures patents, academic spinouts, R&D grant value, innovative sector tags and IS-8 sector membership. Blaenau Gwent ranks 59th of 361 authorities on this pillar, scoring 28 points above the UK benchmark, and outperforms 83.7% of all authorities, placing it in the top 20%.
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
1,019
Above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+19 points against the UK · Likely range 960–1,078 · 30% of the composite
Scaling measures whether companies are 20% scaleups, their headcount growth over recent years, and accelerator attendance. Blaenau Gwent scores 19 points above the UK benchmark here, ranking 79th of 360 authorities and outperforming 78.1% of peers, placing it in the top 25%.
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
981
Above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−19 points against the UK · Likely range 909–1,053 · 30% of the composite
Investment covers equity raisers, the value of equity raised, and first-time raisers, all within the last five years. This is Blaenau Gwent's weakest pillar: its score of 981 sits 19 points below the UK benchmark, though it still ranks 84th of 360 authorities and outperforms 76.7% of all authorities.
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
1,078
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+78 points against the UK · Likely range 1,025–1,131 · 10% of the composite
ESG reflects clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and not-for-profit proxy status. Blaenau Gwent scores 78 points above the UK benchmark, ranking 68th of 361 authorities and outperforming 81.2% of peers, placing it in the top 20% on this pillar.
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 Wales
The chart below shows how Blaenau Gwent's composite score compares with neighbouring authorities in Wales.
What is Blaenau Gwent's overall score on the UK Local Growth Index?
Blaenau Gwent scores 1,016, placing it 61st of 361 local authorities and 16 points above the UK benchmark of 1,000.
How does Blaenau Gwent compare with the rest of Wales?
It ranks 2nd of 22 Welsh authorities, scoring 20 points above the Welsh average of 996.
Which pillar is Blaenau Gwent strongest on?
Innovation is its strongest pillar, with a score 28 points above the UK benchmark and a national rank of 59th of 361 authorities.
Where does Blaenau Gwent score below the UK average?
Investment is the only pillar below the UK benchmark, sitting 19 points under it. This pillar measures equity raised, equity raisers and first-time raisers in the last five years.
How many companies are counted in Blaenau Gwent's scores?
The scores are based on 1,691 active companies, with corporate groups counted once rather than as each individual registered entity.
What does the likely range on each score mean?
The likely range shows how much a score could move with a slightly different mix of companies. A score is only published when that range is narrow enough to rely on; Blaenau Gwent's composite range is 975 to 1,057.
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.
