Wirral scores 955 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 272nd of 361 local authorities and 45 points below the UK benchmark. Its strongest pillar is ESG, where it edges above the national benchmark, while Investment is the area where it trails the UK most noticeably. Across all four pillars, the picture is one of a local business economy sitting slightly below the national average.
Wirral's composite score of 955 is built from four pillars: Innovation, Scaling, Investment and ESG, weighted at 30%, 30%, 30% and 10% respectively, each reflecting the characteristics of active companies in the area, with corporate groups counted once.
Because each pillar score is averaged across a local authority's companies rather than summed, the index compares places of very different sizes on equal terms: a large authority with many companies is not automatically advantaged over a smaller one.
The UK as a whole scores 1,000, so Wirral's 955 puts it below that benchmark by 45 points. The likely range of 945 to 965 shows how much the score could shift with a slightly different mix of companies, and because that range is narrow enough to rely on, the score is published.
North West
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 Wirral's composite score of 955 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
951
Below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−49 points against the UK · Likely range 937–965 · 30% of the composite
Innovation measures patents, academic spinout status, R&D grant value, innovative sector tags and IS-8 sector tags. Wirral scores 951 on this pillar, 49 points below the UK benchmark, ranking 253rd of 361 authorities. Its companies are less active on these innovation signals than those in the majority of local authorities.
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
975
Below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−25 points against the UK · Likely range 958–992 · 30% of the composite
Scaling captures whether companies are scaleups, their headcount growth rate and accelerator participation. At 975, Wirral sits 25 points below the UK benchmark and ranks 274th of 360 authorities, suggesting its companies are adding staff and hitting high-growth thresholds at a somewhat slower 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
922
Below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−78 points against the UK · Likely range 904–940 · 30% of the composite
Investment covers equity raisers, equity raised and first-time raisers over the last five years. Wirral's score of 922, 78 points below the UK benchmark and 278th of 360 authorities, is its weakest pillar, indicating that equity fundraising activity among its companies is notably below the national level.
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
1,010
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+10 points against the UK · Likely range 997–1,023 · 10% of the composite
ESG measures clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and not-for-profit proxy status. At 1,010, Wirral is 10 points above the UK benchmark and ranks 185th of 361 authorities, making this its strongest pillar and the one area where its companies outperform the national 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 Merseyside
The chart below places Wirral's composite score alongside its Merseyside neighbours, where it ranks 4th of 5 authorities in the county and sits 6 points below the county average of 961.
Wirral scores 955, placing it 272nd of 361 local authorities and 45 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000.
How does Wirral compare to other Merseyside authorities?
Wirral ranks 4th of 5 authorities in Merseyside, sitting 6 points below the county average of 961.
Which pillar is Wirral strongest on?
ESG is Wirral's strongest pillar, with a score of 1,010, placing it 10 points above the UK benchmark and 185th of 361 authorities.
Where does Wirral perform least well in the index?
Investment is Wirral's weakest pillar at 922, some 78 points below the UK benchmark, ranking 278th of 360 authorities. This reflects relatively low equity fundraising activity among its companies.
How many companies are counted in Wirral's score?
The index counts 15,719 active companies in Wirral, with corporate groups counted once rather than as individual registered entities.
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 is not a measure of economic output or GDP.
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.
