RPA delivers best ever performance

THE Rural Payments Agency (RPA) says it has delivered its best ever December performance, paying just under 98% of Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) claims despite the challenges caused by the coronavirus crisis.

During the month, payments worth more than £1.77 billion were made to around 82,500 claimants.

In addition, the RPA brought forward more full Countryside Stewardship (CS) and

Environmental Stewardship (ES) payments in December, with just under 68% of eligible CS revenue and just over 57% of ES claims paid, totalling £67 million.

Paul Caldwell, chief executive of the RPA, commented: “It has been a difficult year for many and I am pleased that we have shown our commitment to agricultural and rural communities, and to those that have kept the nation fed during such challenging times.”