In an update on Friday, the Rural Payments Agency has said over 72,700 farmers (almost 84% of all eligible claims) have now received their 2015 Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) payments.

In response to calls for more clarity on when payments can be expected, RPA said it has begun contacting farmers with outstanding claims to provide more information on when payments are likely to be made. RPA is sending out emails and letters and aims to contact everyone with an outstanding claim by the end of the month.

Commenting on Commons payments on Friday, the Foundation for Common Land said that if farmers respond to letters from RPA requesting further information immediately, payments can be expected next month (the letters have a 28 day response deadline). According to the Foundation, only around 5% of commoners have been paid so far.

More information on Commons payments is available from the Foundation here.