UK Competitiveness Index 2021

First introduced and published in 2000, this UK Competitiveness Index (UKCI) report represents the 2021 edition of the report. The UKCI provides a benchmarking of the competitiveness of the UK’s localities, and it has been designed to be an integrated measure of competitiveness focusing on both the development and sustainability of businesses and the economic welfare of individuals. This report publishes competitiveness indices that incorporate the most up-to-date data available in 2021. These data will largely relate to the period since the UK’s departure from the European Union (EU) and the beginning of the Covid-19 Pandemic and associated economic downturn in 2020. As a comparator prior to these major unforeseen (Covid-19 Pandemic) and foreseen (UK’s departure from EU) economic events, an updated UKCI is also generated for 2018. This UKCI will provide a measure of competitiveness prior to these shocks and before the period of greatest uncertainty associated with the UK’s departure from the EU. This provides a means of comparison and an examination of the UK’s changing competitiveness landscape.