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The Church of England has said it will keep its shares in Amazon - a day after the Archbishop of Canterbury said the firm was "leeching off the taxpayer".

The Church Times has revealed Amazon was among the 20 biggest global investments by the Church last year.

A statement from the CofE said it considered the most effective way to seek change was to be "in the room with these companies" as a shareholder.

Amazon has repeatedly said it pays all taxes required in the UK.

Archbishop Justin Welby, in a speech to the Trades Union Congress on Wednesday, said: "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."