Amazon reveals 4.2 billion investment in UK creative industries, announces new apprenticeships

Amazon said it has doubled its investments in the creative sectors across the UK in the last five years, including new production facilities set to open at Shepperton Studios

By Jenny Priestley

Published: June 22, 2023 Updated: June 23, 2023

Amazon said it has doubled its investments in the creative sectors across the UK in the last five years, including new production facilities set to open at Shepperton Studios

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Analysis from independent macroeconomic consultancy Capital Economics shows that Amazon's investments in the creative industries supported more than 16,000 jobs in 2022, and the company has invested more than £4.2 billion since 2010 across multiple areas.

According to the data, the tech giant's investments have contributed £4.8 billion of gross value (GVA) to the UK economy since 2010.

Amazon said it has doubled its investments in the creative sectors across the UK in the last five years, with a record number of Amazon Originals filmed in the UK, and state-of-the-art studios and facilities for Prime Video, including new production facilities set to open at Shepperton Studios.

The analysis also revealed Amazon supports creators in all regions of the UK, with 50 per cent of the direct and indirect jobs created by the company in areas outside of London and the South East, with 1,400 in the South West, 840 in the North West, 930 in East of England, 660 in Yorkshire, and 670 in Scotland.

As part of its plans to continue supporting the UK's creative industries, Amazon has announced support for more than 100 new apprenticeships in organisations across the creative industries, doubling its creative industries apprenticeship levy funding to £2 million. The investment will fund apprenticeships across the sector including a Screen Skills flexible apprenticeship pilot to support both Amazon Original productions such as The Devil's Hour and The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power as well as funding apprentices on non-Amazon productions including Channel 4's Derry Girls.

The company is also entering the second phase of Prime Video Pathway, an initiative designed to open up access to jobs in TV and film, which will support 250 additional trainees over the coming years. Developed in collaboration with the UK's leading TV and film institutions, the initiative will provide opportunities for a further 25 craft trainees, increasing its reach outside London, providing 50 per cent of placements across Scotland and for the first time, Wales, said Amazon.

Prime Video is also being welcomed into the BFI (British Film Institute) National Archive. Popular films and series reflecting stories filmed across the UK including Good Omens and Clarkson's Farm will be digitally preserved in the BFI National Archive.

Speaking about the company's plans, John Boumphrey, VP and UK country manager at Amazon said: The UK has long been a creative powerhouse, brimming with some of the world's most talented authors, musicians, actors, designers, technicians and more. We are committed to supporting this vital sector, and we have more than doubled our investments in UK-based productions, skills programmes, production facilities, and more to power the UK's creative sector today, and support the creators of tomorrow.

LINK:	https://www.tvbeurope.com/production-post/amazon-reveals-4-2-billion-i...
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