Midlothian scores 1,100 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 11th of 361 local authorities and 100 points above the UK benchmark. Its strongest result is on Innovation, where it ranks 10th nationally. All four pillars sit above the UK benchmark.
Each pillar score is averaged across a local authority's companies rather than summed, so a smaller authority with active, innovative businesses can score as highly as a much larger one. That makes the index a fair basis for comparing authorities of very different sizes.
The UK as a whole scores 1,000 on the benchmark, so Midlothian's composite of 1,100 places it comfortably above the national level. The likely range of 1,055 to 1,145 shows how much the score could move with a slightly different mix of companies, and a score is only published when that range is narrow enough to rely on.
Scotland
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 Midlothian's composite score of 1,100 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
1,136
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+136 points against the UK · Likely range 1,066–1,206 · 30% of the composite
Innovation measures patents, academic spinout status, R&D grant value, tagging in innovative sectors and coverage of IS-8 sectors. Midlothian ranks 10th of 361 authorities on this pillar, scoring 1,136 and sitting 136 points above the UK benchmark, placing it in the top 5% nationally. That result points to companies in the area that are notably active in patent filing, R&D grant receipt and innovative sector classification.
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
1,038
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+38 points against the UK · Likely range 1,000–1,076 · 30% of the composite
Scaling captures whether companies are high-growth scaleups, their annualised headcount growth over recent years, and accelerator participation. At 40th of 360 authorities and 38 points above the UK benchmark, Midlothian is solidly above the national level on this pillar, though the gap to the UK is narrower here than on any other pillar. It remains in the top 20% 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
1,122
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+122 points against the UK · Likely range 1,051–1,193 · 30% of the composite
Investment reflects equity raising activity: whether companies raised equity in the last five years, the value of that equity and whether it was a first-time raise. Midlothian ranks 15th of 360 on this pillar, scoring 1,122 and sitting 122 points above the UK benchmark, placing it in the top 5% of authorities. That indicates companies here are raising equity notably more actively than the national 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
1,109
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+109 points against the UK · Likely range 1,058–1,160 · 10% of the composite
ESG covers clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and not-for-profit proxy status. Midlothian ranks 29th of 361 on this pillar, scoring 1,109 and sitting 109 points above the UK benchmark, in the top 10% nationally. Companies in the area show above-average engagement across environmental and social measures.
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 Scotland
The chart below compares Midlothian's composite score with those of its neighbouring authorities across Scotland.
What is Midlothian's score on the UK Local Growth Index?
Midlothian scores 1,100, which is 100 points above the UK benchmark of 1,000. It ranks 11th of 361 local authorities nationally.
How does Midlothian compare with other Scottish authorities?
Midlothian ranks 2nd of 32 Scottish authorities, scoring 108 points above the Scottish average of 992.
Which pillar is Midlothian strongest on?
Innovation is Midlothian's highest-scoring pillar, at 1,136 and ranked 10th of 361 authorities. It sits 136 points above the UK benchmark, placing it in the top 5% nationally.
Which pillar is Midlothian weakest on?
Scaling is the lowest-scoring pillar for Midlothian, though at 1,038 it still sits 38 points above the UK benchmark and ranks 40th of 360 authorities.
How many companies does the Midlothian score cover?
The index covers 3,590 active companies in Midlothian, with corporate groups counted once rather than as separate entities.
What does the likely range mean for Midlothian's score?
The likely range of 1,055 to 1,145 shows how much the composite score could move with a slightly different mix of companies. Scores are only published when this range is narrow enough 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.
