The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) has confirmed that 98% eligible farmers have received their first instalment of the new delinked payments.
This means that a further £401 million has now been released into the rural economy alongside funding from other schemes.
Delinked payments provide continued financial support as Defra encourages farmers and land managers to enter the environmental land management schemes, where they are paid to take actions that will support sustainable food production while protecting the environment.
This is the first of two instalments this year. The RPA have also brought forward the second instalment, which this year will be paid from 30 September. Farmers will receive continued support through delinked payments until 2027.
RPA Chief Executive Paul Caldwell said: “I know that farmers have continued to face a range of challenges this year, with the wet weather and rising costs impacting bottom lines.
“I am pleased that we have made the first instalment and this year have been able to bring forward the second instalment, which will be paid from 30 September. We will continue to make sure farmers are paid promptly to improve cash flow during this challenging period.”
Delinked payments are based on the average BPS payment made to the business for the 2020 to 2022 scheme years. The RPA will apply progressive reductions when it calculates delinked payments each year from 2024 to 2027.
