West Suffolk scores 968 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 223rd of 361 local authorities and 32 points below the UK benchmark. Innovation is its strongest pillar, sitting just above the UK average, while Scaling and ESG weigh on the overall result. The score places West Suffolk 5th of 5 authorities in Suffolk and 27th of 45 in the East of England.
Each pillar is averaged across the area's active companies, with corporate groups counted once. That averaging means a place with fewer but more active companies can score just as highly as a larger economy, making the index a fair comparison between authorities of very different sizes.
The UK as a whole scores 1,000, so West Suffolk's 968 places it modestly below that national baseline. The likely range of 960 to 976 shows how much the score could shift with a slightly different mix of companies; because that range is narrow enough to rely on, the score is published.
East of England
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 Suffolk's composite score of 968 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
1,005
Above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+5 points against the UK · Likely range 995–1,015 · 30% of the composite
Innovation covers patents, academic spinouts, R&D grant value, innovative sector tags and IS-8 sector membership. West Suffolk ranks 95th of 361 authorities on this pillar, scoring 1,005 and sitting 5 points above the UK benchmark, outperforming 73.7% of authorities. It is the area's clearest relative strength.
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
955
Well below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−45 points against the UK · Likely range 942–968 · 30% of the composite
Scaling captures whether companies meet the scaleup threshold, their headcount growth over recent years, and accelerator participation. West Suffolk ranks 321st of 360 on this pillar, scoring 955, which is 45 points below the UK benchmark, and outperforms only 10.8% of authorities. This is the pillar where the area faces the most ground to close relative to the national picture.
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
952
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−48 points against the UK · Likely range 936–968 · 30% of the composite
Investment looks at whether companies have raised equity in the last five years, how much they raised, and whether they were raising for the first time. West Suffolk ranks 153rd of 360 and scores 952, placing it 48 points below the UK benchmark while still outperforming 57.5% of authorities, a broadly mid-table position.
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
948
Well below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−52 points against the UK · Likely range 938–958 · 10% of the composite
ESG covers clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and not-for-profit status. West Suffolk ranks 334th of 361 on this pillar, scoring 948 and sitting 52 points below the UK benchmark, outperforming just 7.5% of authorities. Although ESG carries the lightest composite weight at 10%, its low score contributes to the overall result.
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 Suffolk
The chart below sets West Suffolk's pillar scores against those of its neighbouring authorities in Suffolk.
What is West Suffolk's score on the UK Local Growth Index?
West Suffolk scores 968 on the UK Local Growth Index, 32 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000. Its likely range of 960 to 976 is narrow enough for the score to be published with confidence.
How does West Suffolk rank nationally?
West Suffolk ranks 223rd of 361 local authorities on the composite index.
Which pillar is West Suffolk strongest on?
Innovation is West Suffolk's strongest pillar, scoring 1,005 and ranking 95th of 361 authorities, 5 points above the UK benchmark.
How does West Suffolk compare with the rest of Suffolk?
West Suffolk ranks 5th of the 5 authorities in Suffolk and scores 6 points below the Suffolk county score of 974.
What does the UK Local Growth Index measure?
The index measures the characteristics of a local authority's business economy across four pillars: Innovation, Scaling, Investment and ESG. It reflects how active local companies are, not the size of the local economy.
How many companies are counted in West Suffolk's score?
The score is based on 26,510 active companies, with corporate groups counted once rather than as individual 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.
