Neath Port Talbot scores 1,015 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 66th of 361 local authorities and 15 points above the UK benchmark. It ranks 4th of 22 Welsh authorities, sitting 19 points above the Wales average. Its strongest result is on ESG, where it places 51st nationally.
Each score is averaged across active companies in the area, with corporate groups counted once. This means a smaller authority with highly active companies can score just as well as a larger one, making the index a fair comparison between authorities of very different sizes.
A score of 1,000 represents the UK as a whole, so Neath Port Talbot's composite of 1,015 places it modestly ahead of the national benchmark. The likely range of 988 to 1,042 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.
Wales
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 Neath Port Talbot's composite score of 1,015 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
1,016
Above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+16 points against the UK · Likely range 971–1,061 · 30% of the composite
Innovation is measured using granted patent families, academic spinout status, R&D grant value, presence in innovative sectors, and coverage across the IS-8 sectors. Neath Port Talbot scores 1,016 on this pillar, 16 points above the UK benchmark, ranking 75th of 361 authorities and placing it in the top 25% nationally. Its companies show above-average engagement with the signals that indicate innovation activity.
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 986–1,060 · 30% of the composite
The Scaling pillar captures whether companies are high-growth scaleups, their annualised headcount growth over recent years, and whether they have attended an accelerator programme. Neath Port Talbot ranks 68th of 360 on this pillar, scoring 1,023, which is 23 points above the UK. It sits in the top 20% of authorities, suggesting its companies are adding staff at a noticeably faster rate than 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
980
Above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−20 points against the UK · Likely range 939–1,021 · 30% of the composite
Investment covers whether companies have raised equity in the last five years, the amount raised, and whether any of those deals were a company's first ever equity raise. At 980, Neath Port Talbot's Investment score is 20 points below the UK benchmark, making this its weakest pillar. It still ranks 85th of 360, outperforming over three-quarters of authorities, but equity activity among local companies lags behind the national picture.
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
1,086
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+86 points against the UK · Likely range 1,050–1,122 · 10% of the composite
The ESG pillar draws on signals including clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance indicators, and not-for-profit proxy status. This is Neath Port Talbot's standout pillar: a score of 1,086 places it 51st of 361 authorities and 86 points above the UK benchmark, in the top 20% nationally. Local companies show markedly stronger ESG characteristics than the UK average.
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 Wales
The chart below shows how Neath Port Talbot's composite score compares with the other Welsh local authorities.
What is Neath Port Talbot's overall score on the UK Local Growth Index?
Neath Port Talbot scores 1,015, placing it 66th of 361 local authorities and 15 points above the UK benchmark of 1,000.
How does Neath Port Talbot compare with other Welsh authorities?
It ranks 4th of 22 Welsh authorities, scoring 19 points above the Wales average of 996.
Which pillar is Neath Port Talbot strongest on?
ESG is its strongest pillar, with a score of 1,086, ranking 51st of 361 authorities and 86 points above the UK benchmark.
Where is Neath Port Talbot weakest on the index?
Investment is its lowest-scoring pillar at 980, which is 20 points below the UK benchmark, reflecting below-average equity-raising activity among its companies.
How many companies are counted in Neath Port Talbot's scores?
The scores are based on 4,344 active companies, with corporate groups counted once rather than as separate registered entities.
What does the likely range mean for Neath Port Talbot's score?
The likely range of 988 to 1,042 shows how much the composite score could shift with a slightly different mix of companies. Scores are only published when this range is narrow enough to be reliable.
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.
