New data shows the North West experiencing biggest growth in life sciences sites outside London

11/01/2024

The rise of health tech has seen employment in life sciences increase 61% in the North West in the past five years, according to analysis of new government statistics by tax services and software provider, Ryan.

Bioscience and health technology sector statistics released by three government departments show the number of people in the region employed at R&D sites associated with life science businesses has reached more than 7,675.

The region has also seen 28% growth in the number of life sciences sites conducting R&D.

Cheshire East is home to the most life sciences sites in the region with 167, followed by Manchester with 139, Halton, with 63, and Liverpool, with 60.

Nigel Holmes, director, research and development, at Ryan, said:

“The UK has long been a trailblazer for life sciences, responsible for many ground breaking discoveries, and so it is fantastic to see this growth continue across the country and to drive new employment, especially in the North West – now the third biggest hub for life sciences in the UK.

“Innovation funding available from the UK Government makes the R&D behind life sciences possible. It offers a much-needed financial boost, providing companies with a cash injection or corporation tax deduction for qualifying R&D projects. These financial incentives are invaluable, especially for small and midsize enterprises (SMEs), and are paid back to taxpayers through the incredible technological and scientific advancements they make, and they keep the UK on the map as a champion of innovation.”

Locations with the most life sciences sites in the North West

Rank	Location	Number of sites
1	Cheshire East	167
2	Manchester	139
3	Halton	63
4	Liverpool	60
5	Trafford	47
6	Cheshire West and Chester	37
7	Stockport	34
8	Wirral	20
9	Salford	20
10	Bolton	20

Overall, the number of people employed by life sciences businesses in the UK increased by 117% in the five years to 2021/22, with 304,190 employees in the latest data.

London has seen the biggest increase in employment, followed by Northern Ireland and the North West.

Growth in employment and sites in the life sciences

	Employment			Number of sites
Region	2016/17	2021/22	Growth	2016/17	2021/22	Growth
London	5,692	10,548	85%	269	401	49%
Northern Ireland	919	1,582	72%	32	40	25%
North West	4,760	7,675	61%	176	225	28%
North East	3,081	4,153	35%	77	87	13%
Yorkshire and the Humber	7,127	9,179	29%	138	144	4%
Scotland	7,090	8,952	26%	203	232	14%
West Midlands	3,202	3,864	21%	130	137	5%
South East	22,147	26,177	18%	403	470	17%
East Midlands	5,108	5,993	17%	182	188	3%
Wales	4,339	4,864	12%	111	127	14%
South West	1,745	1,928	10%	67	96	43%
East of England	21,930	22,088	1%	379	457	21%
Total	87,140	107,003	23%	2,167	2,604	20%

As seen on The Business Desk.

Connect with an Expert

To harness the full potential of your life sciences innovation, please fill in the form below, and one of our specialists will be in touch.