Milton Keynes scores 997 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 106th of 361 local authorities and 3 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000. Its strongest result is on Innovation, where it sits in the top quarter of all authorities. The composite score is reliable: its likely range of 988–1,006 is narrow enough to publish with confidence.
The composite score is built from four pillars: Innovation, Scaling, Investment and ESG, weighted 30%, 30%, 30% and 10% respectively.
Each score is averaged across the authority's active companies, with corporate groups counted once, giving a read on how active local companies are rather than how large the local economy is. That averaging means a place with 23,504 active companies can be compared fairly with authorities of very different sizes.
The UK as a whole scores 1,000, so Milton Keynes at 997 sits just below that national benchmark. The likely range shows 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 Milton Keynes's composite score of 997 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
1,017
Above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+17 points against the UK · Likely range 1,004–1,030 · 30% of the composite
Innovation measures patents, academic spinout status, R&D grant value, presence in innovative sectors and IS-8 sector tags. Milton Keynes ranks 73rd of 361 authorities on this pillar, 17 points above the UK benchmark, placing it in the top quarter nationally and outperforming nearly four in five authorities. That result points to a business base with meaningful activity in patenting, R&D grants and innovation-linked sectors.
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
1,006
Above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+6 points against the UK · Likely range 992–1,020 · 30% of the composite
Scaling captures whether companies are high-growth scaleups, their three-year headcount growth rate and accelerator participation. At 1,006, Milton Keynes sits 6 points above the UK benchmark and ranks 133rd of 360 authorities, outperforming 63.1% of peers. Companies here are adding staff at a pace modestly ahead of the national average.
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
970
Above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−30 points against the UK · Likely range 952–988 · 30% of the composite
Investment covers equity raisers, the value of equity raised and first-time raisers, all over the last five years. Milton Keynes scores 970 on this pillar, 30 points below the UK benchmark, though it still ranks 103rd of 360 authorities and outperforms 71.4% of all areas. The gap to the benchmark suggests equity activity among local companies runs somewhat below the UK 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
991
Below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−9 points against the UK · Likely range 979–1,003 · 10% of the composite
The ESG pillar reflects clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and not-for-profit proxy status. Milton Keynes ranks 247th of 361 on this pillar, scoring 991, which is 9 points below the UK benchmark and outperforming 31.6% of authorities. This is the area's weakest pillar relative to national peers, suggesting lower prevalence of the ESG signals the index 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 Buckinghamshire
The chart below sets Milton Keynes's composite score of 997 against its neighbouring authorities, including Buckinghamshire, which scores 992.
What is Milton Keynes's UK Local Growth Index score?
Milton Keynes scores 997 on the composite index, placing it 106th of 361 local authorities and 3 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000.
How does Milton Keynes compare to other authorities in Buckinghamshire?
Milton Keynes ranks 1st of the 2 authorities in Buckinghamshire, scoring 5 points above the county score of 992.
How does Milton Keynes rank in the South East region?
Milton Keynes ranks 28th of 64 authorities in the South East, scoring 6 points below the region's score of 1,003.
Which pillar is Milton Keynes strongest on?
Innovation is Milton Keynes's strongest pillar. It scores 1,017, ranking 73rd of 361 authorities and sitting 17 points above the UK benchmark.
Where does Milton Keynes rank on ESG?
Milton Keynes ranks 247th of 361 authorities on ESG, scoring 991, which is 9 points below the UK benchmark. This is its lowest-ranked pillar.
How many companies are counted in Milton Keynes's index score?
The score is based on 23,504 active companies, with corporate groups counted once rather than as separate 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.
