Reading ranks 28th of 361 local authorities in the UK Local Growth Index, with a composite score of 1,046, placing it 46 points above the UK benchmark. Its strongest performance is on Innovation, where it ranks 20th nationally. All four pillar scores are published.
Reading's composite score is built from four pillars: Innovation, Scaling, Investment and ESG, weighted at 30%, 30%, 30% and 10% respectively.
Each score is averaged across the authority's active companies, with corporate groups counted once, so it reflects how active local companies are rather than the sheer size of the local economy. That makes it a fair comparison between authorities of very different scales.
The UK benchmark is set at 1,000, so Reading's score of 1,046 puts it 46 points above that baseline. The likely range for the composite is 1,028 to 1,064, showing how much the score could move with a slightly different mix of companies; a score is only published when that range is narrow enough to rely on.
South East
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 Reading's composite score of 1,046 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
1,090
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+90 points against the UK · Likely range 1,065–1,115 · 30% of the composite
Innovation measures patents, academic spinouts, R&D grant value, innovative sector tags and IS-8 sector presence. Reading ranks 20th of 361 authorities on this pillar, scoring 1,090, which is 90 points above the UK benchmark and places it in the top 10% nationally. It outperforms 94.5% of all authorities, making Innovation the clearest area of strength in its business economy.
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
1,023
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+23 points against the UK · Likely range 999–1,047 · 30% of the composite
Scaling captures whether companies are high-growth scaleups, their headcount growth rate and accelerator attendance. Reading ranks 70th of 360 on this pillar with a score of 1,023, sitting 23 points above the UK benchmark and within the top 20% of authorities. Its companies are adding staff at a pace that exceeds the UK average, though the gap is more modest here than on Innovation or Investment.
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
1,038
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+38 points against the UK · Likely range 1,004–1,072 · 30% of the composite
Investment covers whether companies have raised equity in the last five years, the amount raised and first-time equity raisers. Reading ranks 31st of 360 authorities, scoring 1,038 and outperforming 91.4% of all authorities, 38 points above the UK benchmark. That puts it firmly in the top 10% nationally and signals a notably active equity-raising environment relative to 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
1,005
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+5 points against the UK · Likely range 987–1,023 · 10% of the composite
ESG measures clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and not-for-profit proxy status. Reading scores 1,005 on this pillar, just 5 points above the UK benchmark, and ranks 200th of 361 authorities. This is Reading's lowest pillar and the one area where its companies perform close to the national average rather than well ahead of it.
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 Berkshire
The chart below compares Reading's composite score with those of its neighbouring authorities in Berkshire.
What is Reading's score in the UK Local Growth Index?
Reading has a composite score of 1,046, placing it 46 points above the UK benchmark of 1,000. It ranks 28th of 361 local authorities.
How does Reading compare to other authorities in Berkshire?
Reading ranks 1st of the 6 authorities in Berkshire, scoring 42 points above the county score of 1,004. The next highest in the county is West Berkshire, with a score of 1,038.
How does Reading rank in the South East region?
Reading ranks 7th of 64 authorities in the South East, scoring 43 points above the regional score of 1,003.
Which pillar is Reading strongest on?
Innovation is Reading's strongest pillar, where it scores 1,090 and ranks 20th of 361 authorities, placing it in the top 10% nationally. It outperforms 94.5% of all authorities on this measure.
What does the UK Local Growth Index actually measure?
It measures the characteristics of a local authority's business economy, based on active companies with corporate groups counted once. It is not a measure of economic output or GDP.
How reliable is Reading's index score?
The composite likely range is 1,028 to 1,064, which is narrow enough for the score to be published. A score is only shown when its likely range is sufficiently tight to rely on.
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.
