Financial help to farming industry announced

This week (20 September 2022), the Rural Payments Agency published the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) entitlement rates.

The BPS is a rural payment that provides financial help to the farming industry.

Earlier this month, the government announced up to £110 million funding for rural businesses such as farms, wedding venues and pubs to support countryside communities. The Rural England Prosperity Fund will be delivered by eligible councils and will be based on local priorities and support investment in projects such as grants for:

• converting farm buildings to other business uses
• rural tourism, such as investments in visitor accommodation
• capital grants for provision of gigabit-capable digital infrastructure at hubs such as village halls, pubs and post offices for community use
• capital grants to develop, restore or refurbish local natural, cultural and heritage assets and sites
• creation of new footpaths and cycle paths, particularly in areas of health need, or capital grants to enable people to develop volunteering and social action projects locally

Announcement:

• www.gov.uk/government/news/basic-payment-scheme-2022-entitlement-rates
• www.gov.uk/government/news/advance-payments-issued-to-farmers
• www.gov.uk/government/news/110m-fund-to-level-up-rural-communities-unveiled
   

Rural England Prosperity fund:

• www.gov.uk/government/publications/rural-england-prosperity-fund-prospectus

Report:

• www.gov.uk/government/publications/delivering-for-rural-england
• www.gov.uk/government/publications/rural-proofing-in-england-2020