Amazon delivers 2500 jobs to UK in latest expansion

ONLINE retail giant Amazon said it will take on 2500 new permanent staff in Britain '“ including at its base in Edinburgh '“ this year, as the business continues to expand in the UK and across Europe.

It said the move will boost its UK workforce to 14,500, and added that it plans to take on 10,000 new staff across the continent, increasing its European staff to 40,000 in total.

In the UK, the business said it will hire staff across the country – from its London head office to research and development centres and warehouses in England, Scotland and Wales.

The business – which has an office at Waverley Gate and a warehouse in Dunfermline – said it has invested more than £11.5 billion in European infrastructure and operations since 2010, with £4.6bn in the UK.

Business Secretary Sajid Javid said: “Amazon’s continued investment in the UK was very welcome news and further demonstration that the UK is a great destination for innovative industries to invest and do business.

“These new permanent jobs will build on the UK’s record levels of employment and give added security to working people across the country – from app developers in Edinburgh to fashion photographers in London.”

Amazon added it was on track to open its new head office in Shoreditch next year, providing space for 5000 
London staff.

Christopher North, managing director at Amazon.co.uk, said: “Britain has a world-class tech sector with a reputation for innovation and excellence.

“These new jobs we are creating up and down the country are testament to the quality of the workforce in the UK and our confidence in its 
economy, which we are proud to support through our continued investments.”

The group has attracted anger over its tax affairs. Last May, it emerged that the UK arm of the business paid just £11.9 million in tax in 2014, despite taking £5.3bn in sales from British shoppers.

And earlier this week, the Scottish Government said it would ask Amazon to pay more workers a living wage amid claims it is “an exceptionally horrible place” to work.

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie said he had been contacted by workers at the online retailer’s warehouse in Fife complaining about conditions.

Amazon also told him it pays workers 65p per hour less than the Scottish living wage, Mr Rennie revealed at First Minister’s Questions.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said she would dispatch Fair Work Secretary Roseanna Cunningham “to engage directly with Amazon . . . to get more people paid the living wage”.