South Tyneside scores 956 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 267th of 361 local authorities and 44 points below the UK benchmark. Its strongest result is on ESG, where it sits above the national average, while Innovation is the area where its companies lag furthest behind. The composite score falls below both the Tyne and Wear county average and the North East regional average.
South Tyneside's composite score of 956 is built from four pillars: Innovation, Scaling, Investment and ESG, weighted 30%, 30%, 30% and 10% respectively, and covers 5,102 active companies with corporate groups counted once.
Each pillar score is an average across those companies, which means it reflects how active local businesses are on each measure rather than the sheer size of the local economy. That approach puts authorities of very different scales on a common footing, making the comparison fair.
The UK as a whole scores 1,000, so South Tyneside's 956 sits below the national benchmark across the board. The likely range for the composite, 940 to 972, 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.
North 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 South Tyneside's composite score of 956 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
928
Well below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−72 points against the UK · Likely range 906–950 · 30% of the composite
Innovation measures patents, academic spinout status, R&D grant value, presence in innovative sectors and coverage of the IS-8 sectors. South Tyneside ranks 330th of 361 authorities on this pillar, with a score of 928, placing it 72 points below the UK benchmark and outperforming only 8.6% of authorities. That result points to relatively limited activity on patenting, R&D grants and innovative sector classification among its companies.
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
991
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−9 points against the UK · Likely range 960–1,022 · 30% of the composite
The Scaling pillar captures scaleup status, headcount growth and accelerator attendance. At 991, South Tyneside is just 9 points below the UK average and ranks 203rd of 360 authorities, outperforming 43.6%. That places it broadly in line with the national picture on workforce expansion and high-growth signals.
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
926
Below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−74 points against the UK · Likely range 894–958 · 30% of the composite
Investment covers equity raisers, the value of equity raised and first-time raisers, all over the last five years. South Tyneside's score of 926 is 74 points below the UK benchmark, ranking 260th of 360 authorities. That suggests equity financing activity among its companies is noticeably below the national norm.
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
1,025
Above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+25 points against the UK · Likely range 999–1,051 · 10% of the composite
ESG captures clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals and a not-for-profit proxy. South Tyneside's score of 1,025 is 25 points above the UK average, ranking 138th of 361 and outperforming 61.8% of authorities. This is the area where South Tyneside's companies perform most strongly relative to the rest of the UK.
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 Tyne and Wear
The chart below shows how South Tyneside's composite score compares with its neighbours across Tyne and Wear.
What is South Tyneside's score on the UK Local Growth Index?
South Tyneside scores 956, placing it 267th of 361 local authorities and 44 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000.
How does South Tyneside compare with the rest of Tyne and Wear?
South Tyneside ranks 5th of the 5 authorities in Tyne and Wear, scoring 55 points below the county average of 1,011. Newcastle upon Tyne is the county's leading authority with a score of 1,059.
Which pillar is South Tyneside's strongest?
ESG is South Tyneside's highest-scoring pillar, at 1,025, which is 25 points above the UK average. It ranks 138th of 361 authorities on this measure.
Where does South Tyneside rank on Innovation?
South Tyneside ranks 330th of 361 authorities on Innovation, with a score of 928, which is 72 points below the UK benchmark. This is its weakest pillar.
How does South Tyneside compare with the North East region?
South Tyneside scores 38 points below the North East regional average of 994, ranking 11th of the 12 authorities in the region.
What does the UK Local Growth Index actually measure?
The index measures the characteristics of a local authority's business economy across four pillars: Innovation, Scaling, Investment and ESG. It is not a measure of economic output or GDP; rather, it reflects how active local companies are across those dimensions.
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.
