Stockton-on-Tees scores 973 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 196th of 361 local authorities and 27 points below the UK benchmark. Its strongest result is on Scaling, where it sits in the top third of all authorities. Innovation and Investment are the areas holding its overall score back.
Each score is averaged across the authority's active companies, with corporate groups counted once. That approach means a smaller authority with highly active companies can outscore a larger one, making this a fair comparison across authorities of very different sizes.
The UK benchmark is set at 1,000, so a score of 973 places Stockton-on-Tees just below the national average. The likely range for this score is 960 to 986, which 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 Stockton-on-Tees's composite score of 973 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
956
Below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−44 points against the UK · Likely range 939–973 · 30% of the composite
Innovation captures patents, academic spinouts, R&D grant value, innovative sector tags and IS-8 sector membership. Stockton-on-Tees scores 956 on this pillar, 44 points below the UK benchmark, ranking 240th of 361 authorities and outperforming only 33.5% of them. That gap points to relatively limited activity across the innovation signals 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
1,014
Above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+14 points against the UK · Likely range 990–1,038 · 30% of the composite
Scaling covers whether companies are scaleups, their headcount growth over the latest four years, and accelerator attendance. At 1,014, Stockton-on-Tees sits 14 points above the UK benchmark and ranks 95th of 360 authorities, outperforming 73.6% of all authorities. Companies here are adding staff at a noticeably faster rate than the UK average, making Scaling the authority's standout pillar.
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
941
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−59 points against the UK · Likely range 917–965 · 30% of the composite
Investment measures equity raisers, the value of equity raised, and first-time raisers, all within the last five years. Stockton-on-Tees scores 941, placing it 59 points below the UK benchmark and 191st of 360 authorities. Access to equity finance among local companies is below the national level, though the authority sits close to the midpoint of all authorities on this pillar.
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
998
Below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−2 points against the UK · Likely range 979–1,017 · 10% of the composite
ESG covers clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and not-for-profit proxy status. Stockton-on-Tees scores 998, just 2 points below the UK benchmark, ranking 224th of 361 authorities. While it outperforms 38% of authorities, the score is broadly in line with the UK average on this dimension.
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 North Yorkshire
The chart below compares Stockton-on-Tees's composite score of 973 against its North Yorkshire neighbours, including the county's next-highest scorer, York, at 1,035.
What is Stockton-on-Tees's score on the UK Local Growth Index?
Stockton-on-Tees scores 973, placing it 196th of 361 local authorities and 27 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000.
How does Stockton-on-Tees compare to the rest of the North East?
Stockton-on-Tees ranks 8th of 12 authorities in the North East and scores 21 points below the regional average of 994.
Which pillar is Stockton-on-Tees strongest on?
Scaling is its strongest pillar, with a score of 1,014 that sits 14 points above the UK benchmark and ranks 95th of 360 authorities nationally.
Where is Stockton-on-Tees weakest on the index?
Innovation is the lowest-scoring pillar at 956, which is 44 points below the UK benchmark and ranks 240th of 361 authorities.
How many companies are counted in the Stockton-on-Tees score?
The score is based on 9,840 active companies, with corporate groups counted once rather than as each of their individual registered entities.
How does Stockton-on-Tees rank within North Yorkshire?
It ranks 4th of 5 authorities in North Yorkshire, scoring 16 points below the county average of 989.
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.
