West Lancashire scores 976 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 176th of 361 authorities and 24 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000. Its strongest result is on Scaling, where it ranks 59th nationally and sits 28 points above the UK benchmark. Innovation and Investment both trail the national benchmark, pulling the composite slightly below 1,000.
Each score is averaged across the authority's active companies, with corporate groups counted once. That averaging means a smaller authority with highly active companies can outscore a larger one, making this a fair comparison between authorities of very different sizes.
The UK as a whole scores 1,000, so West Lancashire's composite of 976 places it marginally below the national baseline across its 5,723 active companies. The likely range of 958 to 994 shows how much the score could shift with a slightly different mix of companies; a score is published only 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 West Lancashire's composite score of 976 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
956
Below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−44 points against the UK · Likely range 932–980 · 30% of the composite
Innovation measures patents, academic spinout status, R&D grant value, innovative sector tags and IS-8 sector tags. West Lancashire ranks 237th of 361 authorities on this pillar, scoring 956, which is 44 points below the UK benchmark, and outperforms only 34.3% of authorities, making it the area's weakest dimension.
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
1,028
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+28 points against the UK · Likely range 994–1,062 · 30% of the composite
Scaling measures whether companies are classified as scaleups, their headcount growth rate and accelerator attendance. West Lancashire ranks 59th of 360 authorities here, scoring 1,028, placing it 28 points above the UK benchmark and in the top 20% nationally. This is the authority's standout pillar, outperforming 83.6% of 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
936
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−64 points against the UK · Likely range 903–969 · 30% of the composite
Investment measures equity raisers, the value of equity raised and first-time equity raisers over the last five years. West Lancashire scores 936 on this pillar, 64 points below the UK benchmark, ranking 210th of 360 authorities and outperforming 41.7%. This is the largest gap to the national baseline across the four pillars.
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
1,002
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+2 points against the UK · Likely range 979–1,025 · 10% of the composite
ESG measures clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and not-for-profit proxy status. West Lancashire scores 1,002 here, just 2 points above the UK benchmark, ranking 210th of 361 authorities. It is the only pillar where the authority sits at or above the national baseline alongside Scaling.
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 Lancashire
The chart below compares West Lancashire's composite score and pillar scores with those of neighbouring authorities in Lancashire.
What is West Lancashire's score on the UK Local Growth Index?
West Lancashire scores 976, placing it 176th of 361 authorities and 24 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000.
How does West Lancashire compare with the rest of Lancashire?
West Lancashire ranks 2nd of 14 authorities in Lancashire and scores 16 points above the county average of 960. The next-highest authority in the county is Lancaster, which scores 1,025.
Which pillar is West Lancashire strongest on?
Scaling is West Lancashire's strongest pillar. It ranks 59th of 360 authorities nationally, scoring 1,028, which is 28 points above the UK benchmark and puts it in the top 20% of all authorities.
Where does West Lancashire rank in the North West region?
West Lancashire ranks 9th of 35 authorities in the North West and scores 3 points above the regional average of 973.
What does the Innovation score tell us about West Lancashire?
Innovation covers patents, academic spinout status, R&D grant value, innovative sector tags and IS-8 sector tags. West Lancashire scores 956 on this pillar, 44 points below the UK benchmark, ranking 237th of 361 authorities.
How reliable is West Lancashire's Local Growth Index score?
The composite likely range runs from 958 to 994, which is narrow enough to publish with confidence. This range shows how much the score could move with a slightly different mix of companies among the 5,723 active companies counted.
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.
