Future of De-linked Payments Confirmed

Following the spending review last week, an announcement has been made on what will happen to the payments for the final two years of the Basic Payment De-linked scheme.

Payments will still be made in 2026 and 2027, on a similar tiered system that is to be applied for the 2025 payment. As before, the payment rate will be based on the reference amount, which was previously sent to all claimants, with amounts to be paid as follows:

• For the reference amount up to £30,000 there will be a 98% reduction in payment.

• For any reference amount over £30,000 the reduction will be 100% (no payment made).

There has been no confirmation whether these final payments will be made in one sum, or in the two split amounts as in previous years, or at what time of year payments will be made.

This news is disappointing for those who were promised bigger sums when the de-linked payment scheme was first set out, but it is more than was feared following the reductions applied for 2025. This news is even more disappointing as the Sustainable Farming Incentive Scheme was closed with no notice back in the spring.

It has been confirmed that all existing grants will be honoured, including Sustainable Farming Incentive, Countryside Stewardship and Higher Tier Stewardship

All we know at the moment about any new scheme is that further details will be announced later this summer The latest information on the Defra Future Farming blog states:

'the reformed scheme will be more targeted to better meet priorities on food, farming and nature'

If you would like any assistance with calculating what your de-linked payment amount would be, or advice on any aspect of land management please do not hesitate to contact Gemma on 07533340847 or gemma@blackdownconsulting.co.uk