RPIB launches consultation on future design of UK’s payments infrastructure

Source: Bank of England

The Retail Payments Infrastructure Board (RPIB) [has] launched a consultation on the future design of the UK’s next-generation retail payments infrastructure. The new infrastructure will provide a secure foundation for innovation, greater choice and more seamless payments, while supporting existing and emerging forms of digital money.

This consultation will help inform the ‘blueprint’ for the future infrastructure, which will then be delivered by the new industry led ‘Delivery Company’.

The consultation focuses on the different types of payments the new infrastructure should support. Alongside existing functionality, it would enable new payment methods such as account-to-account payments at the point of sale (as an additional option to card payments) and enhanced cross-border payments, delivering greater choice for users and faster and smoother payment experiences.

As RPIB’s work develops, Pay.UK, the operator of the UK’s existing retail interbank payment systems, will continue to play a central role in maintaining their safe and resilient operation.

The next-generation infrastructure will support the National Payments Vision and the Payments Vision Delivery Committee’s strategy to modernise UK retail payments.

Victoria Cleland, chair of the RPIB, said: “Working together, we have a real opportunity to transform the UK’s retail payments infrastructure. Our vision is for an infrastructure that remains resilient and trusted, while providing a platform for innovation that responds to users’ needs as the payments landscape evolves. I very much look forward to hearing your views.”

The consultation seeks views on the payment journeys, key design choices and priorities for the next-generation retail payments infrastructure. Feedback will help inform the high-level design to ensure it meets the needs of current and future users and will shape the next phase of work by the Delivery Company. The deadline for responses is 11 September 2026.

Victoria Cleland is judging the Open Banking Expo Awards 2026, which closes for entries on 22 July. Find out more about the categories and how to enter here.

Further reading: UK’s new Payments Forward Plan to help firms ‘plan ahead’ amid raft of initiatives