Burnley scores 972 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 201st of 361 local authorities and 28 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000. Its strongest result is on Scaling, where it ranks 73rd nationally and sits 20 points above the UK benchmark. Investment is the area of relative weakness, sitting 73 points below the benchmark.
Because each pillar score is averaged across a local authority's companies rather than summed, the index reflects how active those companies are on each measure, not how large the local economy is. That makes it a fair comparison between authorities of very different sizes.
The UK as a whole scores 1,000, so Burnley's composite of 972 places it just below that national reference point. Each score also comes with a likely range, which shows how much it could move 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 Burnley's composite score of 972 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
957
Below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−43 points against the UK · Likely range 931–983 · 30% of the composite
Innovation covers patents, academic spinout status, R&D grant value, innovative sector tags and IS-8 sector classification. Burnley ranks 233rd of 361 authorities on this pillar, scoring 957, which is 43 points below the UK benchmark, suggesting its companies are somewhat less active on these innovation signals than the national average.
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
1,020
Above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+20 points against the UK · Likely range 980–1,060 · 30% of the composite
Scaling measures whether companies are 20% scaleups, their headcount growth rate and accelerator attendance. Burnley ranks 73rd of 360 authorities here, scoring 1,020, placing it 20 points above the UK benchmark and outperforming nearly four in five other authorities. This is Burnley's strongest pillar and a meaningful positive signal for its business base.
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
927
Below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−73 points against the UK · Likely range 889–965 · 30% of the composite
Investment covers whether companies have raised equity in the last five years, the amount raised and whether their first-ever equity deal was in that period. At 927, Burnley's investment score is 73 points below the UK benchmark, ranking 258th of 360. This is the area where its companies show the most distance from national norms.
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
1,009
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+9 points against the UK · Likely range 980–1,038 · 10% of the composite
ESG captures clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and not-for-profit proxy status. Burnley scores 1,009 on ESG, 9 points above the UK benchmark, and ranks 187th of 361 authorities, broadly in line with national levels.
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 shows how Burnley's composite score compares with neighbouring local authorities across Lancashire and the North West.
What is Burnley's score on the UK Local Growth Index?
Burnley scores 972, placing it 201st of 361 local authorities and 28 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000.
How does Burnley compare to the rest of Lancashire?
Burnley ranks 3rd of 14 authorities in Lancashire and scores 12 points above the county average of 960.
How does Burnley compare to the North West region?
Burnley ranks 11th of 35 authorities in the North West and scores 1 point below the regional average of 973.
Which pillar is Burnley strongest on?
Scaling is Burnley's strongest pillar, with a score of 1,020, ranking 73rd of 360 authorities and sitting 20 points above the UK benchmark. Scaling measures scaleup status, headcount growth and accelerator attendance.
Where does Burnley score lowest on the index?
Investment is Burnley's lowest-scoring pillar at 927, which is 73 points below the UK benchmark and ranks 258th of 360 authorities. This pillar covers equity raising activity in the last five years.
How many companies does Burnley's score cover?
The score covers 4,032 active companies, 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.
