Delinked Payments – Basic Payment Scheme 2024

The BPS application window for 2022 has been open for a few weeks now, and work has begun throughout our YoungsRPS offices to deal with applications for the 2022 scheme for our clients. Alongside completing BPS applications this year there is much to discuss in relation to other grant opportunities this year, such as Countryside Stewardship Mid and Higher Tier agreements, Capital Grants and Farming Investment Fund opportunities which may enable businesses to benefit from an additional income stream, helping to cope with reducing BPS payments alongside rising prices of inputs and fixed costs. We have also just received more information on the Sustainable Farming Incentive Standards (more info to follow on that) which will be available for all farmers to apply for in late Spring/early Summer this year, providing the first mass round of applications for the new Environmental Land Management (ELM) schemes.

Alongside this, we now have initial details on Delinked Payments, which will be introduced in England in 2024. When BPS payments are delinked, land and entitlements will not be required to receive payments, simplifying the process as BPS payments are phased out completely by 2027.  Delinked Payments will be made with reference to BPS payments made in 2020, 2021 and 2022, therefore it is important to bear in mind when making an application this year, as this years payment will affect the amount of a future Delinked Payment.

Delinked Payments are different to the Lump Sum Exit Scheme which has also been recently announced. The Lump Sum Exit Scheme, which we expect more details on shortly, is available to those farmers wishing to retire or leave farming rather than continuing to claim BPS during the remainder of the transition period through to 2027.

For more details on Delinked Payments or the Lump Sum Exit Scheme, please contact your local YoungsRPS office.