Modernising Public Payments: Adyen Wins Key UK Government Contract

The UK’s Government Digital Service (GDS) has appointed global fintech leader Adyen as the new payment services provider for GOV.UK Pay, marking a significant shift in how citizens interact with public sector financial systems.

Scale of the Transition

GOV.UK Pay facilitates payments across 1,700+ services used by over 600 public sector organizations—including central government departments, local councils, NHS trusts, police forces, and armed forces. Since its launch in 2016, the platform has processed more than £9 billion across 135 million transactions.

The move away from incumbent Stripe will consolidate these payments onto Adyen’s single operating network, streamlining operations for both government agencies and citizens.

Key Benefits of the Partnership

  • Enhanced User Experience: Citizens can expect faster, more convenient payment options with modern checkout flows.
  • Account-to-Account Payments: The partnership prioritizes rolling out “pay by bank” (A2A) capabilities that allow users to authenticate payments directly through their banking apps—reducing processing fees and improving security.
  • Operational Efficiency: Consolidating onto a single platform will eliminate administrative friction associated with managing multiple vendors.
  • Future-Proofing Infrastructure: The move positions the UK government with scalable technology capable of handling evolving payment needs.

“Public sector organizations are under growing pressure to deliver seamless digital experiences while maintaining trust, resilience and efficiency,” noted Nicole Olbe, Adyen’s UK&I managing director. “When citizens engage with public services to cover bills or pay fines, they need the process to be reliable and straightforward.”

The transition will occur in phased intervals managed jointly by GOV.UK Pay and individual service teams to ensure uninterrupted access for citizens. Throughout the migration, GDS will maintain direct responsibility for regulatory compliance and transaction security.