BPS Payment Update January 5, 2016 12:00 am England The RPA has announced it has (just) met its commitment to the majority of eligible claimants by the end of December. The latest statistics show that 44,400 farmers, almost 51% of all claimants have been paid, amounting to just under £425 million. Although the RPA claimed they were not just paying the smaller, straightforward claims this amounts to only about a third of the estimated total payment in monetary terms. For those that are still waiting to receive payment, the RPA says it is still on track to pay the ‘vast majority’ by the end of January. Those that are unlikely to be paid by then will be contacted by the RPA to give them an idea of when they can expect payment. Although the RPA says it still expects to pay the ‘vast majority’, the pace of payments appear to have slowed down considerably which is concerning. As at 23rd December 42,000 claimants had been paid, so only a further 2,400 have received payment since, although there would have been some holiday down time during this period. The question remains what is the ‘vast majority’. Scotland The situation in Scotland is much worse than that in England; payments have only just commenced. The first batch, around 3,500 farmers and crofters, out of a total of approximately 21,000 claims, should have received their first BPS installment by 31st December. The remaining payments will continue to be made between January to March. The first group to be paid are the most straightforward claims and it has therefore been possible to pay 75% of the Basic Payment and 90% of the Greening Payment. The aim is to pay at least 70% in the first installment but without making incorrect payments and avoiding EU penalties. Claimants in Scotland should also shortly be informed of the estimated number and value of entitlements. Final figures and expected payment up to 2019 should be available after all payments have been processed in March.
