Amazon has unveiled plans to pour £40bn into its UK operations over the coming three years, a move expected to generate thousands of jobs and see the opening of four major warehouses.
Two enormous fulfilment hubs are set for development in the East Midlands, targeted for completion by 2027. The precise areas where these will be built remain undisclosed.
Additionally, previously announced facilities in Hull and Northampton are scheduled to open sooner—one later this year and the other by 2026—each promising around 2,000 new roles.
Already employing roughly 75,000 people across the UK, Amazon ranks as one of the nation’s largest private-sector employers.
The company’s expansion plans also include adding two office buildings at its London headquarters, enhancing delivery stations, improving its transport systems, and redeveloping Bray Film Studios in Berkshire, which was acquired last year.
The £40bn commitment also covers the bulk of an £8bn pledge made in 2024 to build and maintain data centres in the UK, along with employee pay and benefits.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described this as 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,” said Sir Keir.
The Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, also welcomed the announcement, calling it a “powerful endorsement of Britain’s economic strengths”.
Andy Jassy, Amazon’s chief executive, highlighted the wider impact the investment would have nationwide.
“When Amazon invests, it’s not only in London and the South East,” he said.
“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.”
Despite this ambitious growth, concerns persist among some groups regarding Amazon’s influence. Critics have raised alarms over working conditions in its facilities—claims which the company has firmly rejected. Furthermore, a recent investigation was opened by the UK’s grocery regulator into alleged breaches related to supplier payments.
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