The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (George Eustice)
I announced the Rural Payments Agency’s performance in making single payment scheme (SPS) payments on 4 December 2013, Official Report, column 52WS.
The agency’s commitment in its business plan 2013-14, was to pay 86% of payments by value and 93% of customers by number by 31 December 2013.
The first target was exceeded on the first banking day—2 December—when 89.3% of the estimated fund value was paid out. The second target was achieved within the first week of December, three weeks ahead of schedule.
By 31 December, 99,200 customers—95.9% of those eligible for a SPS payment—had received a share of £1.581 billion or 95% of the total estimated fund value.
In a critical and challenging period, the RPA continues to build on the huge progress made over recent years to support farmers and food producers and boost rural economies.