BPS 2022 payment rates
The RPA has published the BPS 2022 entitlement rates as set out below. These are the same rates as for BPS 2021 and used to calculate the BPS 2022 advances issued earlier this year.
Rates
| Region | Non-SDA | SDA-Other | Moorland SDA |
| Entitlement rate: | £233.30 | £231.60 | £64.00 |
Multiplying these payment rates with the number of activated entitlements will give the gross BPS 2022 value before any reductions that could be applied.
All claims will be reduced again in 2022 due to the application of the progressive reductions; the reduction figures for BPS 2022 are set out below.
Working out the gross payment less the progressive reductions and then in turn subtracting any advance BPS payment that has been received to date will give you an idea of what the balance payment could be due.
If a young farmer top-up payment is still issued (it is limited to a maximum of 5 years) that adjustment needs to be made as set out in the RPA's BPS guidance before applying the progressive reduction figures to it.
Balance BPS 2022 payments will be issued from 1 December 2022.
Progressive Reductions for 2022 can be viewed in the RPA's BPS guidance 2022 and on the table below:
| Payment Band | 2022 percentage reduction |
| 1. Up to £30,000 | 20% |
| 2. £30,000 - £50,000 | 25% |
| 3. £50,000 - £150,000 | 35% |
| 4. More than £150,000 | 40% |
Payment queries
If you have a query with your 2022 BPS payment once you have received your balance payment, before you contact the RPA, please wait for the claim statement to be received. If after that you still do not understand what has happened, please refer to the scheme guidance or call NFU CallFirst on 0370 845 8458 for help.
Watch out for fraudsters
At any time of the year farmers, like any business or individual, are at risk of fraud against them. When there is more payment activity, please be more alert to the risk.
Please be familiar with the RPA guidance on how to minimise fraud: RPA fraud information - GOV.UK and take any action as directed by this advice.
New payment structure
On 6 May 2022 Defra and the RPA announced a change to the approach in delivery of direct payments. Direct payments in England will now be paid in two instalments in each year for the remainder of the agricultural transition period.
NFU Vice President David Exwood said: “With farmers facing extreme inflationary pressure and businesses being squeezed more than ever, any advance payment of BPS claims for this year is positive and will help cash flow. I’m pleased Defra and the RPA has recognised the seriousness of the situation and put in place a practical solution.
“However, it’s crucial that this change does not adversely affect the delivery and promptness of payments. As Defra plans to move forward with two payment windows on a permanent basis, we will be looking for reassurances from the RPA that it will continue its strong delivery performance and ensure farmers receive their payments as early as possible on both occasions. We’d ask the RPA to continue working with the NFU on the rollout and delivery of the scheme."
This is the first change to direct payments since the move to a 1 December to 30 June payment window many years ago.
This payment window has become well known by many members for all the wrong reasons, due to the delay in receiving payments such as BPS and SPS within this seven-month period. We know that having such a long window does not help cashflow.
The NFU has constantly monitored payment progress and at times sought advancement of late payments when processing stalled. Thankfully, the days of mass delays in payments are behind us, but we still work with the RPA to ensure all payments are issued swiftly.
Move to two instalments
The RPA now plans to make direct payments in two instalments to help farmers with cash flow. The first payment was made from the end of July and the second will be made from December.
This timing and frequency of instalments will apply each year for the remainder of the agricultural transition period. This suggests a permanent change not only for BPS 2022, but also BPS 2023 and then delinked payments when they are introduced to eligible farmers from 2024 and finish in 2027. The first payments begun in July 2022 and balance payments from December 2022.
Deadline passed
Now the deadline of 16 May 2022 has passed, there is very limited scope to make changes if a mistake has been made.
You can still notify the RPA of an error in your application or withdraw land without penalty from your application at any time unless:
- you have already been told about any non-compliance in your application
- a check has revealed any non-compliances in your application
- you have received advance warning of a visit (inspection) by a field officer
More information on amending an application can be found in our briefing: Amending BPS 2022 applications
Check the rules
Was there anything you didn't understand that you need to double check before it is too late?
Remember that the land you claim BPS on must remain primarily in agricultural use for the full calendar year.
All the BPS 2022 guidance can be found at Gov.uk | Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) 2022.
NFU briefings for members
Our BPS advisers have put together two comprehensive briefings on BPS 2022. One covers the BPS 2022 policy changes and reminders and the other one all the information needed to submit an application.
You can also still download our briefing from January 2021 about the changes that were brought in for BPS 2021. It provides an explanation of the BPS simplifications that were made during 2020 for BPS 2021 following the UK's exit from the EU.
BPS 2022 - application information
BPS 2022 - policy reminders and changes
As always, the only way to ensure that you know all the rules is to read all the RPA guidance: Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) 2022
Read more from around NFUonline:
Got a question? Contact NFU CallFirst
Our NFU CallFirst advisers can help guide any queries you may have to one of our experts. Call 0370 845 8458 and we'll be happy to help.