PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Farmers: Depressive Illnesses (7 December 2016)

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 6 December 2016 to Question 55821, if she will make it her policy to provide support to farmers who are experiencing depression or anxiety related to delayed single payments and other financial issues.

Asked by:
Tim Farron (Liberal Democrat)

In 2015 the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) offered a hardship fund to help farmers with delayed payments and in financial need.

For 2016, the RPA began making Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) payments when the payment window opened on 1 December. On 13 December the Agency announced that it had made payments, worth £822 million, to approximately 68% (around 59,000) of eligible claimants with a range of claim types and sizes, including those inspected and with common land. The RPA remains focused on paying 90% of eligible claims by the end of the month.

The RPA is working with a range of farming help organisations such as the Farming Community Network and the Citizens’ Advice Bureau. Should the RPA need to make use of BPS Financial Support Payments to deal with hardship cases it will do so.

Answered by:
George Eustice (Conservative)
15 December 2016