Liverpool scores 971 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 205th of 361 authorities and 29 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000. Its strongest relative position is on Investment, where it ranks 117th nationally and outperforms more than two thirds of all authorities. Scaling is the area where it sits furthest behind the UK average, ranking 272nd of 360.
Each score is an average across a local authority's companies, which means a smaller authority with highly active businesses can outscore a larger one. That makes the index a fair comparison between authorities of very different sizes.
The UK as a whole scores 1,000, so Liverpool's 971 sits 29 points below that national reference point. The likely range of 963 to 979 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.
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 Liverpool's composite score of 971 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
969
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−31 points against the UK · Likely range 958–980 · 30% of the composite
Innovation measures patents, academic spinouts, R&D grant value, innovative sector tags and IS-8 sector tags. Liverpool ranks 191st of 361 authorities on this pillar, scoring 969 and sitting 31 points below the UK benchmark, outperforming just under half of all authorities.
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
975
Below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−25 points against the UK · Likely range 963–987 · 30% of the composite
Scaling covers whether companies qualify as scaleups, headcount growth rates and accelerator attendance. At 272nd of 360, this is Liverpool's weakest pillar relative to the rest of the UK, with its score of 975 falling 25 points below the benchmark and placing it in the bottom quarter of all 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
963
Above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−37 points against the UK · Likely range 948–978 · 30% of the composite
Investment captures equity raisers, the value of equity raised and first-time raisers over the last five years. Liverpool ranks 117th of 360 on this pillar, its highest national rank across all four pillars, and outperforms 67.5% of authorities, though its score of 963 still sits 37 points below the UK average.
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
989
Below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−11 points against the UK · Likely range 980–998 · 10% of the composite
The ESG pillar measures clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and not-for-profit proxy status. Liverpool scores 989 here, just 11 points below the UK benchmark, though it ranks 250th of 361 authorities on this measure, outperforming around 30% of the country.
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 Merseyside
The chart below places Liverpool's composite score alongside its Merseyside neighbours, where it ranks 1st of 5 authorities in the county, scoring 10 points above the county average of 961.
What is Liverpool's score on the UK Local Growth Index?
Liverpool scores 971 on the composite index, placing it 205th of 361 local authorities and 29 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000.
How does Liverpool compare to other Merseyside authorities?
Liverpool ranks 1st of the 5 authorities in Merseyside, scoring 10 points above the county average of 961. The next closest authority in the county is Knowsley, which scores 962.
How does Liverpool compare to the North West region?
Liverpool ranks 12th of 35 authorities in the North West and scores 2 points below the regional average of 973.
Which pillar is Liverpool's strongest?
Investment is Liverpool's strongest pillar relative to other authorities. It ranks 117th of 360 on Investment, outperforming 67.5% of all authorities, making it the highest national rank Liverpool holds across the four pillars.
Where does Liverpool rank on Scaling?
Scaling is Liverpool's weakest pillar, ranking 272nd of 360 authorities. Its score of 975 is 25 points below the UK benchmark, and it outperforms only 24.4% of authorities on this measure.
How many companies are included in Liverpool's Local Growth Index score?
The score covers 32,825 active companies, with corporate groups counted once rather than as each of their individual 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.
