[mft_]

> and either build a payment processor

Risk, time, complexity, mismatched skill-sets... "getting a new thing built" didn't work so well with (for example) Fujitsu and the Post Office, or the billions spent to little or no avail on NHS digitalisation. Seems to be a case of "damned if you do, damned if you don't".

> use an existing UK company

Are there established UK-based payment processors with equivalent abilities?

[bArray]

> Risk, time, complexity, mismatched skill-sets... "getting a new thing built" didn't work so well with (for example) Fujitsu and the Post Office, or the billions spent to little or no avail on NHS digitalisation. Seems to be a case of "damned if you do, damned if you don't".

These projects are possible, it's just clear the current project management structure of the UK government is not up to the task. I would lean heavily towards a UK-based private sector solution.

> Are there established UK-based payment processors with equivalent abilities?

This is the point, there should be one, and the UK government could heavily put their thumb on the scale to ensure that payments are processed within the UK.

It seems mad to have foreign companies make money on UK government fund raising activities.