Swansea’s role in the global giant
In Swansea, Amazon operates two major sites: an Idea’s Centre, one of just four in the UK, where teams work on projects for Prime Video, Alexa and the online shopping platform; and a Distribution Centre, part of the company’s vast logistics network. Together, they show how the city is plugged into both the creative and operational sides of Amazon’s global business.
Jobs, apprenticeships and training
Since 2010, Amazon says it has created more than 2,000 full and part‑time jobs across Wales. The report also highlights that 90 apprentices from Wales have graduated through its apprenticeship programme, while more than 430 people have taken part in career development and skills training initiatives.
David Marcok, from Amazon in Swansea, said the company is keen to show its impact beyond the balance sheet: “In 2025 so far, our team has collaborated with organisations including Save the Children and Wales Air Ambulance through volunteer engagement, product contributions and direct financial assistance.”
Community partnership with Faith in Families
One of the most visible local partnerships has been with Faith in Families, the Swansea charity behind the Cwtch Mawr Multibank. The hub redistributes surplus essentials — from school uniforms and hygiene products to bedding and baby kits — to families across Swansea Bay struggling with the cost‑of‑living crisis.
Amazon’s Swansea team has supported the initiative by donating thousands of backpacks filled with school supplies, packing baby kits worth more than £10,000, and helping Faith in Families expand into a larger warehouse in Llansamlet to meet rising demand. The charity says this support has been vital in reaching families who would otherwise go without.
National expansion plans
The report comes as Amazon announces a £40 billion UK investment between 2025 and 2027, including four new fulfilment centres and upgrades to more than 100 existing sites. Thousands of new jobs are promised, with most outside London and the South East.
Amazon already employs more than 75,000 people in the UK, making it one of the country’s largest private sector employers.
Tax contributions — and the debate they spark
Amazon’s report states its total UK tax contribution in 2024 was £5.8 billion, including £1 billion in taxes it directly paid and £4.7 billion collected on behalf of government.
The company stresses it ranks among the UK’s top taxpayers. But critics argue that much of the total comes from taxes collected from customers and employees, rather than corporation tax on profits. Campaigners have long questioned whether multinationals like Amazon contribute fairly compared to smaller businesses, pointing to allowances and incentives that reduce taxable profits in the short term.
Amazon says such allowances are government policy designed to encourage investment and innovation. The debate highlights a wider tension: while Amazon’s spending creates jobs and infrastructure, questions remain about whether the tax system lets global giants contribute proportionately to the public purse.
Skills and community impact
Beyond jobs and tax, Amazon points to its role in skills development. Its apprenticeship levy transfers have supported more than 1,500 apprenticeships outside the company, while its Career Choice programme has helped over 23,000 UK employees retrain in high‑demand fields. In Wales, more than 430 people have benefited from career development initiatives since 2010.
Locally, the partnership with Faith in Families shows how Amazon’s presence in Swansea is also tied to community resilience — helping families under pressure while anchoring the city in the company’s wider UK operations.
