Amazon to invest £40bn as part of major UK expansion

Amazon has unveiled plans to invest £40bn in the UK over the next three years, which will see it build four new fulfilment centres and new delivery stations whilst creating thousands of jobs.

As part of the investment it will also upgrade and expand its existing network of over 100 operations buildings across the country. 

The company said 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 fulfilment centre in Hull and 2,000 jobs at another in Northampton, as well as additional roles at new sites in the East Midlands and at delivery stations across the country.

Amazon already employs over 75,000 people in the UK, providing “roles of all kinds, at all levels, across every region of the country”. 

Amazon pays full-time employees a minimum of £28,000 per year, or £30,000 in London, and will create over 60 different roles at the new sites, including positions for robotics technicians, safety experts, and mechatronic engineers.

Alongside the planned creation of the new operations facilities, the £40bn investment includes: opening two new buildings at Amazon’s corporate HQ in East London; ongoing investment to enhance Amazon’s transportation infrastructure in every region; support for Amazon’s workforce through  compensation, benefits, and training programmes; and ongoing commitment to the UK creative industry, including the redevelopment of the historic Bray Film Studios in Berkshire.

The investment also includes part of the £8bn previously announced in September 2024 for building, operating, and maintaining data centres in the UK.

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.”

Prime Minister Keir Starmer added: “Amazon’s £40bn 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.”