-
Amazon has generated £684 million in revenue from the
public purse since 2018, report shows
Taxpayer cash spent on Amazon rocketed to a record-breaking £222
million last year, a new report commissioned by GMB Union
shows.
The amount of central government, local government and NHS money
spent on the internet giant in the calendar year 2022 was £222
million - a rise of 69 per cent rise on the year before, and the
highest figure on record.
The figures emerge as Labour Leader Sir committed to public
procurement coming with ‘terms and conditions’ such as union
recognition at GMB’s annual congress in Brighton today
[Tuesday]
In total, Amazon has generated £684 million in revenue from the
public purse since 2018, according to research commissioned by
GMB from Tussell, a data provider on public sector contracting
and spending.
The highest expenditure was from HMRC, despite public concerns
over Amazon’s tax record. The tax authority spent £228 million on
Amazon over the last five years and provided 36 per cent of
Amazon’s public sector revenue. HMRC was followed by the Home
Office, which spent £189 million.
99 per cent of identifiable spending was on Amazon Web Services,
the company’s lucrative internet hosting arm.
GMB members in Amazon Coventry are taking industrial action and
fighting for GMB to become the first union in the UK to be
formally recognised by the online retailer.
Gary Smith, GMB General Secretary, said:
“Amazon is taking record breaking sums from the public purse at
the same time that the company is refusing its own workers an
independent voice.
“These are extraordinary sums of money when Amazon workers are
having to go on strike for decent pay.
“If this amount of taxpayer cash is spent on a private company,
the contract must come with guarantees on worker pay, health and
safety and their right to be represented by formally recognised
trade union.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
[1] Report attached
