East Lothian scores 1,009 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 79th of 361 local authorities and 9 points above the UK benchmark. Its strongest result is on ESG, where it ranks 60th nationally. Across all four pillars, its scores sit close to or above the UK benchmark of 1,000.
Each score is an average across those companies, which means a smaller authority with highly active businesses can rank above a much larger one. That makes the index a fair comparison between authorities of very different sizes.
The UK as a whole scores 1,000, so East Lothian's composite of 1,009 puts it marginally ahead of the national benchmark. The likely range of 982 to 1,036 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.
Scotland
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 East Lothian's composite score of 1,009 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
995
Above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−5 points against the UK · Likely range 957–1,033 · 30% of the composite
Innovation captures patents, academic spinouts, R&D grant value, innovative sector tagging and IS-8 sector classification. East Lothian ranks 118th of 361 authorities on this pillar, with a score of 995, placing it 5 points below the UK benchmark and in the top third nationally. That suggests its companies' activity in patents, R&D grants and innovative sectors is broadly in line with, but marginally behind, the UK average.
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
1,010
Above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+10 points against the UK · Likely range 973–1,047 · 30% of the composite
Scaling measures whether companies are 20% scaleups, their headcount growth over recent years, and accelerator attendance. East Lothian ranks 112th of 360 authorities, scoring 1,010, which is 10 points above the UK benchmark. It outperforms 68.9% of authorities on this pillar, indicating its companies are adding staff at a rate slightly ahead of the national average.
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
999
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−1 points against the UK · Likely range 950–1,048 · 30% of the composite
Investment covers equity raisers, the amount of equity raised and first-time raisers, all within the last five years. East Lothian ranks 61st of 360 on this pillar, scoring 999 and sitting just 1 point below the UK benchmark, while outperforming 83.1% of authorities. That combination points to a relatively strong equity-raising environment for a score this close to the benchmark.
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
1,080
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+80 points against the UK · Likely range 1,037–1,123 · 10% of the composite
ESG measures clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and the not-for-profit proxy. East Lothian's ESG score of 1,080 is its highest pillar result, placing it 60th of 361 authorities and 80 points above the UK benchmark. It outperforms 83.4% of all authorities on this pillar, reflecting notably stronger-than-average ESG characteristics among its companies.
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 Scotland
The chart below places East Lothian's composite score alongside its Scottish neighbours, showing where it sits within a regional context.
What is East Lothian's score on the UK Local Growth Index?
East Lothian scores 1,009, placing it 79th of 361 local authorities and 9 points above the UK benchmark of 1,000.
How does East Lothian compare to the rest of Scotland?
East Lothian ranks 6th of 32 Scottish authorities, scoring 17 points above the Scottish average of 992.
What is East Lothian's strongest pillar on the index?
ESG is East Lothian's strongest pillar, with a score of 1,080, ranking 60th nationally and 80 points above the UK benchmark.
How does East Lothian perform on investment?
East Lothian ranks 61st of 360 authorities on Investment, with a score of 999, just 1 point below the UK benchmark, and outperforms 83.1% of authorities on this measure.
How many companies are counted in East Lothian's score?
The index covers 3,762 active companies in East Lothian, with corporate groups counted once rather than as separate registered entities.
What does the UK Local Growth Index actually measure?
It measures the characteristics of a place's business economy across four pillars: Innovation, Scaling, Investment and ESG. It is not a measure of economic output or GDP.
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.
