Thousands of new jobs are set to be created across the UK, as
Amazon today (Tuesday 24 June) announces a landmark £40 billion
investment over the next three years.
This investment – announced the same week as the Government's
transformational Industrial Strategy - includes building four new
fulfilment centres and new delivery stations nationwide, as well
as upgrades and expansions to its existing network of over 100
operations buildings across the country.
The investment will create thousands of new permanent, full-time
jobs in the UK, with the vast majority outside of London and the
South East.
These include 2,000 jobs at the previously announced
state-of-the-art fulfilment centre in Hull and 2,000 jobs at
another in Northampton, plus additional positions at new sites in
the East Midlands and at delivery stations across the country.
The investment also includes part of the £8 billion previously
announced in September 2024 for building, operating, and
maintaining data centres in the UK. This will support the UK's
ambition to increase AI compute capacity and meet the growing
demand for cloud and AI technologies, while creating thousands of
skilled jobs in the tech supply chain.
Alongside the planned creation of the new operations facilities,
the investment will also go towards the redevelopment of the
historic Bray Film Studios in Berkshire, continued investment in
multimillion-pound skills and training programmes, and landmark
original TV and film productions.
This announcement is the latest sign that the government's Plan
for Change is working – making Britain the best place to do
business, creating jobs, and putting more money in working
people's pockets.
It follows the publication of the modern Industrial Strategy,
which marks a new era of collaboration between government and
high growth industries slashing energy bills for industry,
increasing skills, and boosting investment to unlock the UK's
economic potential.
Prime Minister , who met Amazon's CEO last
week ahead of the announcement, said:
“Amazon's £40 billion investment adds another major win to
Britain's basket and is a massive vote of confidence in the UK as
the best place to do business.
“It means thousands of new jobs—real opportunities for people in
every corner of the country to build careers, learn new skills,
and support their families.
“Whether it's cutting-edge AI or same-day delivery, this deal
shows that our Plan for Change is working—bringing in investment,
driving growth, and putting more money in people's pockets.”
Chancellor, , said:
"This investment is a powerful endorsement of Britain's economic
strengths.
“The world is changing, but this Government is working hand in
hand with businesses to navigate that change to create jobs,
wealth and opportunity in every corner of the country.”
Business and Trade Secretary will visit Amazon's HQ in
London to mark the announcement. There he will meet apprentices
to talk about the importance of backing British skills just days
after the Government announced a £275 million skills package to
boost training and build a skilled workforce of the future.
Business and Trade Secretary, said:
"Our Modern Industrial Strategy will ensure the UK is the best
country to invest and do business, and seeing massive
international firms like Amazon bank on Britain shows we are on
the right track.
“This investment will create highly-skilled jobs and boost living
standards across the country, and the £100 billion of investment
we've secured in the past year shows our Plan for Change is
already delivering for working people.”
Amazon are offering 1,000 new full-time apprenticeship roles this
year, and already employs more than 75,000 people in over 100
sites across the UK. This new investment will supercharge its
impact on local economies. The data centre investment alone is
expected to contribute £14 billion to the UK economy over 5 years
(2024-2028) and support 14,000 full-time equivalent jobs each
year – many of them in small and medium-sized businesses.
Amazon CEO, Andy Jassy, said:
"Amazon has been proud to serve our customers in the UK for the
past 27 years. Thanks to their support, we've grown to be part of
over 100 communities nationwide, from developing drone technology
in Darlington to producing world-class entertainment at our
studios in Bray. We now employ over 75,000 people and have become
one of the UK's largest private sector employers and
taxpayers.
“When Amazon invests, it's not only in London and the South East
– we're bringing innovation and job creation to communities
throughout England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland,
strengthening the UK's economy and delivering better experiences
for customers wherever they live.”
The announcement comes as UK business confidence hits a
nine-month high, according to the latest Lloyds Business
Barometer, with optimism boosted by falling interest rates and
new trade deals with the EU, US and India – cutting costs for
businesses and protecting jobs.
Since the government was elected, interest rates have fallen four
times, and the UK started the year as the fastest-growing economy
in the G7. The government has also secured three major trade
deals with the EU, US and India, which will cut costs for
businesses, protect jobs and attract further investment.
ENDS
Notes to editors
A release from Amazon will be available separately. A full media
pack including a photo of the Prime Minister with Amazon's CEO
can be found here.
