English BPS payments will be made from 1st December for 2021’s BPS applications, however the payment window runs from 1st December to 30th June 2022 (for 2021’s payment). Following payment, you should receive a ‘Claim Statement’ in the post explaining the payment calculation.
The English Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) payment rates for 2021 have been published by Defra, at £233.30/ha for non-SDA land and £231.60/ha for SDA regions other than Moorland. The Moorland SDA rate is £64/ha.
The payment rate per/ha is set higher this year as greening values have been incorporated into entitlement value, however due to the BPS reductions as highlighted below, farmers will still receive less money through BPS than last year.
BPS ‘Phase Out’ reductions for 2021
| Payment Band | Reduction |
| 1. Up to £30,000 | 5% |
| 2. £30,000 – £50,000 | 10% |
| 3. £50,000 – £150,000 | 20% |
| 4. More than £150,000 | 25% |
In Wales, 97% of BPS claimants should have received 70% of their total BPS claim on 15th October with the remaining balance due from the 15th December 2021, subject to claim validation checks.
It is vital that bank details are up to date for both the English and Welsh payments to be paid into. Outdated bank details will cause a delay in payments.
Stewardship Payments 2021
Payments for Countryside Stewardship and ELS/HLS follow the same payment window as the English BPS, meaning payments for these schemes can also be expected from 1st December 2021 through to June 2022.
Agreements for 2021’s applications to the scheme are being sent out now, with a start date of 1st January 2022 for all Mid Tier, Higher Tier and Wildlife Offers.
