West Lothian scores 1,007 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 84th of 361 local authorities and 7 points above the UK benchmark. Its strongest result is in Innovation, where it ranks 52nd nationally. Investment is the one area where it falls below the UK benchmark, sitting 21 points under.
Each score is an average across the area's active companies, with corporate groups counted once. That averaging means a smaller authority with highly active companies can compare fairly with a larger one, making this a consistent basis for comparison across all 361 authorities.
The UK as a whole scores 1,000, so West Lothian's composite of 1,007 places it just above the national benchmark. The likely range of 983 to 1,031 shows how much the score could shift with a slightly different mix of companies; 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 West Lothian's composite score of 1,007 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
1,033
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+33 points against the UK · Likely range 998–1,068 · 30% of the composite
Innovation covers patents, R&D grant value, academic spinouts, innovative sector tags and IS-8 sector tags. West Lothian ranks 52nd of 361 authorities on this pillar, scoring 33 points above the UK benchmark, placing it in the top 20% nationally and outperforming 85.6% of all authorities. That result points to a meaningful concentration of companies with innovation characteristics relative to their peers across the UK.
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
1,003
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+3 points against the UK · Likely range 970–1,036 · 30% of the composite
The Scaling pillar captures whether companies are achieving high-growth signals, headcount growth over time and accelerator participation. West Lothian sits 150th of 360 authorities here, just 3 points above the UK benchmark. It outperforms 58.3% of authorities, suggesting companies are growing at a broadly average pace rather than standing out strongly in either direction.
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
979
Above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−21 points against the UK · Likely range 943–1,015 · 30% of the composite
Investment measures equity raised, whether companies have raised equity in the last five years and whether they are first-time raisers. At 979, West Lothian's Investment score is 21 points below the UK benchmark, ranking 86th of 360 authorities. Despite sitting below the benchmark on the score itself, it still outperforms 76.1% of authorities, indicating that while equity activity among its companies is comparatively modest, it is not among the weakest in the country.
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
1,027
Above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+27 points against the UK · Likely range 997–1,057 · 10% of the composite
The ESG pillar covers clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and a not-for-profit proxy. West Lothian scores 1,027 here, 27 points above the UK benchmark, ranking 134th of 361 authorities. It outperforms 62.9% of all authorities, reflecting a reasonable level of ESG-related characteristics among its companies.
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 West Lothian's composite score of 1,007 with its neighbouring authorities in Scotland, where the regional score stands at 992.
What is West Lothian's score on the UK Local Growth Index?
West Lothian scores 1,007, placing it 84th of 361 local authorities and 7 points above the UK benchmark of 1,000.
How does West Lothian compare to the rest of Scotland?
West Lothian scores 15 points above the Scotland regional score of 992, ranking 7th of 32 Scottish authorities.
Which pillar is West Lothian strongest on?
Innovation is West Lothian's strongest pillar, where it ranks 52nd of 361 authorities and scores 33 points above the UK benchmark, placing it in the top 20% nationally.
Why does West Lothian's Investment score fall below the UK benchmark?
The Investment pillar measures equity raised, equity raisers and first-time raisers among active companies. At 979, West Lothian is 21 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000, indicating that equity activity among its companies is comparatively limited.
How many companies are counted in West Lothian's score?
The score covers 6,288 active companies, with corporate groups counted once rather than as separate registered entities.
What does the likely range mean for West Lothian's score?
The likely range of 983 to 1,031 shows how much the composite score could move with a slightly different mix of companies. West Lothian's range is narrow enough to publish with confidence.
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.
