MORE than three in four farmers have received their 2015 Basic Payment Scheme cash.

In an update published this week, the Rural Payment Agency said 66,800 farmers in England, around 77 per cent, had been paid by the end of January.

That means that over £1bn of an estimated total fund of £1.43bn has been paid out.

The RPA has also confirmed timings indicating when they aim to have paid almost all farmers.

Chief executive Mark Grimshaw said: “I understand how important it is to know more about the timings of payments for farmers who are running a business.

“Our aim is to have paid almost all eligible farmers by the end of March with a few thousand of the more complex cases taking slightly longer, as they did under the Single Payment Scheme.”

The RPA insists it is working with a range of voluntary organisations to support farmers facing hardship. For help and advice, farmers can contact the Rural Payments helpline on 03000 200 301.

Country Land and Business Association president Ross Murray said: “This is a very difficult time for those still waiting for their payment, and it is crucial that the RPA’s focus remains on ensuring that all outstanding payments are made as soon as possible.

“Farms can’t plan without clear and reliable information about the timeframe in which they will be paid, and it was disappointing that a number of ‘inspection’ emails were sent in error causing unnecessary confusion. We are reassured that the RPA is addressing this confusion as a matter of urgency.

“We know that payments are continuing to arrive with our members on a daily basis.”

The Forestry Commission has also paid out over two-thirds (70 per cent) of capital payments, totalling £13m to woodland owners to protect, improve and expand woodlands in England.

The commission has also paid out over 50 per cent of valid annual claims worth just under £6m and work is ongoing to pay outstanding valid annual claims.