Church of England to keep Amazon investment despite hypocrisy allegations

Most effective way to tackle aggressive tax avoidance is to 'be in the room with these companies seeking change as a shareholder', Church claims

Justin Welby also described zero-hours contracts as 'the reincarnation of an ancient evil', but it later emerged that at least two CofE cathedrals are advertising for zero-hours jobs (PA)

The Church of England has said it will keep its investment in Amazon despite being accused of hypocrisy after the Archbishop of Canterbury attacked the company for paying “almost nothing” in taxes.

Justin Welby also described zero-hours contracts as “the reincarnation of an ancient evil”, but it later emerged that at least two CofE cathedrals are advertising for zero-hours jobs.

In a speech to the TUC on Wednesday that received a standing ovation, Mr Welby condemned tech giants such as Amazon for “leaching off the taxpayer” because they pay wages that are not enough to live on, forcing some staff to claim in-work benefits to get by.

But following the speech, the Church Times drew attention to the fact that Amazon was one of the CofE’s 20 largest investments last year, prompting calls for it to sell its holding in the company.

In a statement, the Church said it believed the most effective way to tackle aggressive tax avoidance was to “be in the room with these companies seeking change as a shareholder”.

Mr Welby’s speech drew criticism from some Conservative MPs including Ben Bradley who said: “It’s particularly hypocritical when, just like the Labour Party, he publicly condemns zero-hours contracts whilst privately his Church are currently advertising zero-hours jobs.”

In a letter to The Times, the Reverend Ray Anglesea, a United Reformed Church minister who worked on a zero-hours contract in a cathedral bookshop, said the archbishop “might have done well to have put his own house in order before addressing the conference”.

He wrote: “What the Most Rev Justin Welby did not disclose was how many of his cathedrals are zero contract hour employers and how many cathedral employees have no job certainty, no sick or holiday pay, and no maternity cover.”

The Church said its advice on zero-hours contracts was issued in 2013, and “does not reflect [its] current thinking”.

“As a responsible employer, the Church of England is now reviewing its working practices,” it added.

Mr Welby had said on Wednesday: “When vast companies like Amazon and other online traders, the new industries, can get away with paying almost nothing in tax, there is something wrong with the tax system.

“They don't pay a real living wage, so the taxpayer must support their workers with benefits.

“And having leeched off the taxpayer once they don't pay for our defence, for security, for stability, for justice, health, equality, education.”