Chancellor Rachel Reeves has secured a landmark £8 billion investment from Amazon Web Services (AWS), a deal expected to support around 14,000 jobs annually across the UK over the next five years. The announcement comes as part of the government’s mission to drive economic growth, attract investment, and improve the standard of living throughout Britain.
The planned investment by AWS, which was confirmed last week during a meeting with Chancellor Reeves, will contribute an estimated £14 billion to the UK’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) between 2024 and 2028. The investment will benefit local economies by creating jobs within AWS’s data centre supply chain, including positions in construction, engineering, telecommunications, and other supporting sectors.
Reeves, speaking today from Silverstone’s University Technical College, highlighted the significance of the investment for the future of the UK economy but warned that change would take time.
“Two quarters of positive economic growth does not make up for fourteen years of stagnation under the previous government,” Reeves said. This £8 billion investment marks the start of the economic revival and shows Britain is a place to do business. The hard work to fix the foundations of our economy has only just begun.
AWS Vice President and Managing Director for Europe, Middle East & Africa, Tanuja Randery, echoed the Chancellor’s optimism, saying that the next few years will be crucial for the UK’s digital and economic future.
“AWS is proud to announce our plans to invest £8 billion in digital and AI infrastructure over the next five years to help meet the growing needs of our customers and partners, and support the transformation of the UK’s digital economy,” said Randery.
The investment comes at a critical time as the government prepares for the UK International Investment Summit on 14 October. The summit is expected to highlight the UK’s attractive business environment and foster further investments from global corporations.
The government’s focus on boosting growth and addressing long-standing economic challenges continues to be at the forefront of Reeves’ agenda, as she works to create jobs, unlock investment, and ensure that every region of the country benefits from the nation’s economic revival.
