Halton ranks 20th of 361 UK local authorities, with a composite score of 1,080, placing it 80 points above the UK benchmark. It leads both Cheshire and the North West region, finishing 1st in each. Innovation is its strongest pillar, ranking 9th nationally.
Halton'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 authority, with corporate groups counted once. Because every score is an average across those companies rather than a total, a smaller authority with highly active businesses can compare fairly against a much larger one.
The UK as a whole scores 1,000, so Halton's 1,080 places it 80 points above that benchmark across 5,133 active companies. The likely range of 1,050 to 1,110 shows how much the score could shift with a slightly different mix of companies, and the score is published because that range is narrow enough to rely on.
North West
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 Halton's composite score of 1,080 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
1,139
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+139 points against the UK · Likely range 1,087–1,191 · 30% of the composite
Innovation covers patents, academic spinouts, R&D grant value, innovative sector tags and IS-8 sector membership. At 1,139, Halton ranks 9th of 361 authorities, sitting 139 points above the UK benchmark and in the top 5% nationally, indicating that its companies show notably strong activity across these measures.
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
1,055
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+55 points against the UK · Likely range 1,018–1,092 · 30% of the composite
The Scaling pillar captures whether companies qualify as scaleups, their headcount growth over recent years, and accelerator participation. Halton scores 1,055, ranking 24th of 360 and placing it 55 points above the UK benchmark, within the top 10% of authorities, suggesting its companies are adding staff at a meaningfully faster rate than the national norm.
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
1,045
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+45 points against the UK · Likely range 996–1,094 · 30% of the composite
Investment reflects equity-raising activity: whether companies raised equity in the last five years, how much they raised, and whether they were first-time raisers. Halton's score of 1,045 puts it 45 points above the UK benchmark and 28th of 360 nationally, a result that points to solid equity activity relative to most 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
1,088
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+88 points against the UK · Likely range 1,051–1,125 · 10% of the composite
The ESG pillar looks at clean energy involvement, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and not-for-profit proxies. Halton scores 1,088, ranking 49th of 361 and 88 points above the UK benchmark. Although ESG is Halton's relatively lower-scoring pillar, it still places in the top 20% of all authorities.
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 Cheshire
The chart below compares Halton's composite score with those of neighbouring authorities across Cheshire and the wider North West.
Halton scores 1,080 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 80 points above the UK benchmark of 1,000. Its likely range of 1,050 to 1,110 is narrow enough for the score to be published with confidence.
How does Halton rank among UK local authorities?
Halton ranks 20th of 361 UK local authorities, putting it in the top 10% nationally. It also ranks 1st in Cheshire and 1st across the 35 authorities of the North West region.
Which pillar is strongest for Halton?
Innovation is Halton's strongest pillar, scoring 1,139 and ranking 9th of 361 authorities, 139 points above the UK benchmark. This places Halton in the top 5% of all authorities on Innovation.
How does Halton compare to the rest of Cheshire?
Halton leads Cheshire, scoring 82 points above the county's average of 998. The next-highest authority in the county is Cheshire East, which scores 1,001.
What does the UK Local Growth Index actually measure?
The index measures the characteristics of a place's active companies, covering innovation activity, business scaling, equity investment, and ESG factors. It does not measure economic output or GDP.
How many companies are counted in Halton's score?
Halton's score is based on 5,133 active companies, with corporate groups counted once rather than as each of their 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.
