Kirklees scores 951 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 289th of 361 local authorities and 49 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000. Its strongest pillar is Innovation, where it ranks 235th nationally, though all four pillars sit below the UK benchmark. Investment is the area of greatest relative weakness, ranking 300th of 360 authorities.
The composite score for Kirklees is built from four pillars: Innovation, Scaling, Investment and ESG, weighted 30%, 30%, 30% and 10% respectively, each derived from company-level signals across the authority's 25,085 active companies, with corporate groups counted once.
Because each pillar score is averaged across a local authority's companies rather than summed, the index reflects how active local companies are on each measure, not how large the local economy is. That averaging is what makes it a fair comparison between authorities of very different sizes.
A score of 1,000 represents the UK as a whole, so Kirklees at 951 sits below the national average across all four pillars. The likely range of 943 to 959 shows how much the composite score could shift with a slightly different mix of companies; Kirklees's range is narrow enough that the score is published with confidence.
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 Kirklees's composite score of 951 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
957
Below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−43 points against the UK · Likely range 946–968 · 30% of the composite
Innovation measures patents, academic spinouts, R&D grant value, presence in innovative sectors and coverage of IS-8 sectors. Kirklees ranks 235th of 361 authorities on this pillar, scoring 957, which is 43 points below the UK benchmark. It is the authority's highest-scoring pillar, and it outperforms 34.9% of authorities nationally.
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
970
Well below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−30 points against the UK · Likely range 956–984 · 30% of the composite
The Scaling pillar captures scaleup status, headcount growth and accelerator participation. Kirklees scores 970 here, 30 points below the UK benchmark, and ranks 292nd of 360 authorities. It outperforms 18.9% of authorities, suggesting that company growth activity across the area lags 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
916
Well below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−84 points against the UK · Likely range 902–930 · 30% of the composite
Investment covers equity raisers, the amount of equity raised and first-time raisers over the last five years. At 916, Kirklees's Investment score is 84 points below the UK benchmark, its largest gap across all pillars, and it ranks 300th of 360 authorities, outperforming only 16.7% of areas nationally.
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
976
Below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−24 points against the UK · Likely range 966–986 · 10% of the composite
The ESG pillar reflects company-level signals on clean energy, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance indicators, and not-for-profit proxy status. Kirklees scores 976 on ESG, 24 points below the UK benchmark, ranking 286th of 361 authorities. This is the pillar where its gap to the national average is smallest.
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 West Yorkshire
The chart below places Kirklees's composite score of 951 alongside its West Yorkshire neighbours, where it ranks 4th of the county's 5 authorities, 23 points below the county average of 974.
What is Kirklees's score on the UK Local Growth Index?
Kirklees scores 951 on the composite index, placing it 289th of 361 local authorities and 49 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000.
How does Kirklees compare to the rest of West Yorkshire?
Kirklees ranks 4th of the 5 authorities in West Yorkshire, scoring 23 points below the county average of 974. Leeds is the county's highest-scoring authority at 1,009.
Which pillar is Kirklees strongest on?
Innovation is Kirklees's highest-scoring pillar at 957, where it ranks 235th of 361 authorities and outperforms 34.9% of local authorities nationally.
Where is Kirklees weakest on the Local Growth Index?
Investment is Kirklees's lowest-scoring pillar at 916, sitting 84 points below the UK benchmark and ranking 300th of 360 authorities.
How many companies are counted in Kirklees's score?
The index covers 25,085 active companies in Kirklees, with corporate groups counted once rather than as separate registered entities.
What does a score below 1,000 mean for Kirklees?
The UK as a whole scores 1,000, so a score of 951 means Kirklees sits below the national average on the composite index. All four individual pillars also fall below 1,000.
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.
