the UK has done exactly this - to make all Government Digital Services in house. It's been a blockbuster success in my opinion - they have some of the best UX/UI in the world and their websites are ultralight and downgrade well.
There are a few issues with authentication, but there is support.
Everything that's related to dealing with the UK government btw is all in ONE website, where everything is explained to you in Plain English - gov.uk
Coming from a country where this doesn't exist, I was blown away by every interaction I've had with the system. It's simply amazing.
As a foreigner living in the UK, I concur. All .gov.uk are _extremely_ functional. Applying for the pre-settled status (cos Brexit) was actually an enjoyable experience! I had no idea what was going to happen when I started the process, and it was all done in 30min top. It made me _scan my passport with my smartphone_ while flashing weird colors and it worked flowlessly, that absolutely blew my mind.
I've actually looked into getting a job there even though I'm from a start-up background
Yes that was some of their best work. I believe the flashing lights allow for some sort of 3D reconstruction of your face? And scanning the passport with NFC!
One of them is high-tech DYI solution, the other one is super simple yet not used at all by any other govt service I've interacted with.
Every single GDS project I’ve been on is 90% freelancers all via a small handful of companies — it’s not really “in-house” but at least it’s better than absolutely everything going to capgemini, Fujitsu, NTT, ATOS and the like, sure.
There are a few issues with authentication, but there is support. Everything that's related to dealing with the UK government btw is all in ONE website, where everything is explained to you in Plain English - gov.uk
Coming from a country where this doesn't exist, I was blown away by every interaction I've had with the system. It's simply amazing.