Luton scores 922 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 359th of 361 local authorities and 78 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000. All four pillars sit below the UK average, with Investment the weakest and Innovation the relative strength. The score puts Luton 29 points below Bedfordshire and 69 points below the East of England region.
The index measures the characteristics of active companies in each authority, with corporate groups counted once. Because the score is an average across those companies, it reflects how active local businesses are rather than the size of the local economy, which makes it a fair comparison between authorities of very different scales.
The UK as a whole scores 1,000, so Luton's 922 places it below that national reference point across all pillars. Each score also comes with a likely range, showing how much the result could move with a slightly different mix of companies; a score is only published when that range is narrow enough to rely on, and Luton's composite range of 914 to 930 meets that threshold.
East of England
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 Luton's composite score of 922 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
918
Well below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−82 points against the UK · Likely range 906–930 · 30% of the composite
Innovation measures patents, academic spinouts, R&D grant value, presence in innovative sectors and coverage of IS-8 sectors. Luton ranks 345th of 361 authorities on this pillar, scoring 918, which is 82 points below the UK benchmark. It is Luton's strongest pillar relative to the other three, though it still outperforms only 4.4% 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
945
Well below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−55 points against the UK · Likely range 929–961 · 30% of the composite
Scaling captures whether companies are high-growth scaleups, their headcount growth over recent years and whether they have attended an accelerator. Luton ranks 346th of 360 on this pillar with a score of 945, sitting 55 points below the UK average. That gap is narrower than on Innovation or Investment, making Scaling the second-strongest pillar.
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
899
Well below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−101 points against the UK · Likely range 884–914 · 30% of the composite
Investment covers equity raisers, the value of equity raised and first-time raisers, all within the last five years. At 899, Luton's Investment score is 101 points below the UK benchmark, the largest gap of any pillar, and the authority ranks 353rd of 360. Companies here are raising equity less frequently and at lower values than across the UK as a whole.
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
931
Well below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−69 points against the UK · Likely range 919–943 · 10% of the composite
ESG measures clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and a not-for-profit proxy. Luton scores 931 on this pillar, 69 points below the UK benchmark, and ranks 351st of 361 authorities. It outperforms only 2.8% of authorities nationally on this dimension.
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 Bedfordshire
The chart below sets Luton's composite score of 922 against its Bedfordshire neighbours, including the county runner-up Bedford at 971.
Luton scores 922 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 359th of 361 local authorities and 78 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000.
How does Luton compare with the rest of Bedfordshire?
Luton ranks 3rd of 3 authorities in Bedfordshire and sits 29 points below the county score of 951. The county runner-up, Bedford, scores 971.
How does Luton compare with the East of England region?
Luton ranks 45th of 45 authorities in the East of England and scores 69 points below the regional average of 991.
Which pillar is Luton's strongest?
Innovation is Luton's strongest pillar, with a score of 918, though this still sits 82 points below the UK benchmark and the authority ranks 345th of 361 nationally on that measure.
Which pillar is Luton's weakest?
Investment is Luton's weakest pillar, scoring 899, which is 101 points below the UK benchmark. Luton ranks 353rd of 360 authorities on Investment.
How many active companies does Luton have in the index?
The index covers 18,371 active companies in Luton, 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.
