The Government Digital Service (GDS) has developed a prototype payments platform that will improve the way British citizens pay for tax and other compulsory contributions.
This new technology is part of the Government as a Platform programme where GDS works with departments and agencies to improve digital services.
British taxpayers have previously complained about an inadequate user experience when having to pay government money.
During the alpha stage of the payments platform, GDS has worked with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) in developing an easy-to-use payment page that fits within government guidelines.
The GDS has also begun talking to leaders of selected services to begin using a beta version of the platform to take card payments.
The project has 4 goals:
1. Make it easier for citizens and businesses to pay government
With over 2m UK taxpayers not in possession of a bank account, the payments platform will provide alternative ways of paying for government bills, for example services like PayPoint, Payzone or the Post Office could provide citizens to pay for their contributions.
2. Make it faster for new government services to start taking payments
Using the platform would make it quicker and cheaper for the government to launch new services, since it avoids unnecessary repetition of the same procurement and integration work every time.
3. Make it cheaper for government services to reconcile payments, provide user support, and issue refunds
Providing one reporting interface that shows all payment types and providers could make the payment reconciliation process more efficient.
The new platform will enable government officials to provide detailed and timely transaction information which could keep citizens better informed about the status of their payments.
4. Increase innovation
The Payments Platform could help government take advantage of new innovation in the financial technology industry.
Whitepapers
Related reading
5 ways blockchain can change the cross-border payments landscape
Cross-border payments is a changing sector of the industry, driven by customers demanding little to no friction and encountering multiple steps, intermediaries ... read more
The SME technology revolution | video
The UK is home to 5.4m micro SMEs that have fewer than nine employees, according to the House of Commons library. They ... read more
JP Morgan blockchain network showcases banks’ DLT progress
JP Morgan’s expansion of its blockchain-based interbank payments project signals that major banks are stealing a march on disruptors and startups by ... read more
Security a priority for EU’s INATBA blockchain taskforce
The European Commission’s new blockchain initiative, the International Association for Trusted Blockchain Applications (INATBA), should focus on quashing extant security concerns around ... read more