Scottish Payments February 1, 2016 12:00 am The Scottish Government has fallen well short of its own target to pay the majority of first instalments of the BPS by the end of January. Rural Affairs Secretary, Richard Lochhead, has confirmed that around 5,000 farmers have received payment, out of an estimated claimant population of 18,000. This is less than 30%. Whilst payments are still being made the Government acknowledges that the process is not going as quickly as it would like. The aim is now to have most first instalment payments made by the end of March. Area Offices have been told to prioritise hardship cases – those in difficulties are urged to contact the customer helpline. The Rural Payments Online system has recently been updated. It is now possible to view the calculations that lie behind the advance payments that have been made. Although the layout is not that simple, it is (just about) possible to follow the process.
