South Staffordshire scores 955 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 275th of 361 local authorities and 45 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000. Its strongest result is on Scaling, where it sits closest to the national average. Investment is the area where it falls furthest behind, ranking 336th of 360 authorities.
The composite score combines four pillars: Innovation, Scaling, Investment and ESG, weighted at 30%, 30%, 30% and 10% respectively, and is built from company-level signals across South Staffordshire's 4,832 active companies, with corporate groups counted once.
Because each pillar score is averaged across a local authority's companies rather than summed, the index reflects how active local companies are on each measure, not the total size of the local economy. That makes it a fair basis for comparing South Staffordshire with much larger or smaller authorities.
A score of 1,000 represents the UK as a whole, so South Staffordshire's composite of 955 sits 45 points below that benchmark. The likely range of 939 to 971 shows how much the score could shift with a slightly different mix of companies, and a score is only published when that range is narrow enough to rely on.
West Midlands
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 Staffordshire's composite score of 955 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
958
Below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−42 points against the UK · Likely range 932–984 · 30% of the composite
Innovation captures patents, academic spinout status, R&D grant value, innovative sector tags and IS-8 sector membership. South Staffordshire scores 958 on this pillar, 42 points below the UK benchmark, ranking 229th of 361 authorities and outperforming 36.6% of them.
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
988
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−12 points against the UK · Likely range 956–1,020 · 30% of the composite
Scaling measures whether companies are 20% scaleups, their headcount growth over recent years and whether they have attended an accelerator. At 988, South Staffordshire's Scaling score is just 12 points below the UK benchmark, making this its strongest pillar and placing it 214th of 360 authorities.
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
905
Well below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−95 points against the UK · Likely range 875–935 · 30% of the composite
Investment covers equity raisers, the value of equity raised and first-time raisers, all over the last five years. South Staffordshire ranks 336th of 360 on this pillar with a score of 905, placing it 95 points below the UK benchmark and outperforming only 6.7% of authorities. This is the clearest gap relative to national norms.
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
996
Below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−4 points against the UK · Likely range 972–1,020 · 10% of the composite
ESG reflects clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and not-for-profit proxy status. South Staffordshire scores 996 here, just 4 points below the UK benchmark and its closest result to the national average in absolute terms, ranking 233rd of 361 authorities.
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 Staffordshire
The chart below places South Staffordshire's composite score alongside its neighbours in Staffordshire, where it ranks 7th of 9 authorities with a score 13 points below the county average of 968.
What is South Staffordshire's score on the UK Local Growth Index?
South Staffordshire scores 955, placing it 275th of 361 local authorities and 45 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000.
How does South Staffordshire compare to the rest of Staffordshire?
South Staffordshire ranks 7th of 9 authorities in Staffordshire, scoring 13 points below the county average of 968.
Which pillar is South Staffordshire strongest on?
Scaling is its strongest pillar, with a score of 988, just 12 points below the UK benchmark, and a rank of 214th of 360 authorities.
Where does South Staffordshire rank on Investment?
Investment is its weakest area, with a score of 905 placing it 336th of 360 authorities and 95 points below the UK benchmark. Only 6.7% of authorities score lower.
How many companies are counted in South Staffordshire's score?
The index covers 4,832 active companies in South Staffordshire, with corporate groups counted once rather than as each of their registered entities.
What does the likely range on South Staffordshire's score mean?
The likely range of 939 to 971 shows how much the composite score could move with a slightly different mix of companies. Scores are only published when that range is narrow enough to rely on.
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.
