Amazon has unveiled a landmark commitment to the UK economy, announcing plans to invest £40 billion over the next three years. The tech and retail giant will significantly expand its operations across the country, creating thousands of new jobs and enhancing its technological capabilities in the process.
At the heart of the investment is the development of four new fulfilment centres, including sites in Hull, Northampton, and the East Midlands. These new facilities are expected to create around 2,000 jobs each, bolstering Amazon’s already substantial UK workforce. The company, which currently employs more than 75,000 people in the UK, is one of the nation’s top ten private-sector employers.
In addition to logistics infrastructure, Amazon will open two new office buildings in London, creating a further 1,500 jobs. The company also plans significant upgrades and expansions to its existing network of over 100 sites across the country.
One of the most ambitious elements of the investment is Amazon’s commitment to cutting-edge technology. A large portion of the funds will go towards expanding Amazon Web Services (AWS), including a previously announced £8 billion investment into its data centre operations by 2028. This expansion is aimed at reinforcing the UK’s position as a hub for artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and advanced technology.
The company is also making strides in drone innovation, with ongoing trials in areas like Darlington, and in satellite broadband with its low-Earth orbit initiative, Project Kuiper. This satellite project aims to provide high-speed internet access to remote and underserved regions and is now officially licensed by Ofcom in the UK. Amazon plans to launch around 3,000 satellites, with services expected to go live by late 2025. The project is seen as a direct rival to Elon Musk’s Starlink and includes ambitions to connect smartphones directly to satellite networks.
In the entertainment sector, Amazon is expanding its film production capabilities by redeveloping Bray Film Studios in Berkshire and enhancing production capacity in Manchester, Edinburgh, and Wales. This move will further strengthen the UK’s position as a global centre for film and television production.
Employees across Amazon UK will benefit from increased starting salaries, now rising to £28,000 and up to £30,000 in London—well above the UK’s national minimum wage. The company also plans to offer more than 1,000 full-time apprenticeships this year, supporting skills development and long-term employment opportunities.
The scale of Amazon’s investment has drawn praise from across the political spectrum. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer described the move as “a massive vote of confidence in the UK as the best place to do business,” while industry observers see it as a key component of Britain’s drive to modernise its infrastructure and digital capabilities.
By combining investment in logistics, technology, entertainment, and connectivity, Amazon is not just reinforcing its commitment to British consumers—it is helping shape the UK’s economic and technological future. This bold initiative marks one of the most significant private-sector investments in the country in recent years and positions Amazon as a central player in Britain’s post-pandemic recovery and global competitiveness.