| News
NFU survey: BPS problems for some are perennial
The NFU is calling on the RPA to address severe delays in
solving BPS claim issues of previous years. This comes as
the NFU’s latest member survey on BPS reports that 14%
of farmers said they still have outstanding problems from
2015 and 2016.
nother statistic
from the survey
shows a year-on-
year increase of
assistance needed
by claimants to
complete the BPS application.
Over half (55%) of claimants in
2017 required help.
NFU Vice President Guy Smith:
“While we can see there is
progress being made by the RPA,
it’s clear that an unacceptably
large proportion of farmers are still
haunted by problems yet to be
rectified. We are still hearing from
too many members who are
becoming understandably angry
about delays, errors and
underpayments. It's
understandable how these
claimants simply do not see or
benefit from the positive steps our
survey shows the RPA has made.
“Those with problems from
previous years struggled with
some of the elements of the 2017
claim, with some needing to
complete supplementary forms to
A
show land correctly. This will add
to the workload in the coming
months for the RPA, when
resources must be under
pressure. There is a still strong
expectation of the RPA achieving
at least 90% claims paid in
December.
“The rise in claimants seeking
professional assistance with their
applications is alarming. We’ve
always maintained that BPS
should not be beyond the average
farmer - it should be an accessible
system for all. Over half saying
they needed assistance shows
that cost is being loaded into the
industry through lack of clarity and
a perception that the process is
difficult. Many members who did
not have claim issues found the
process straightforward.
“This survey work will arm us in
our talks with the RPA to shape the
next BPS year, to ensure that the
application system is fit for
purpose and that the delivery of
BPS monies is accurate and
timely.”
06 | Farming Monthly | August 2017
Farmers losing thousands
to invoice scammers
Agricultural businesses are being warned to be vigilant
following an increase in invoice redirection scams -
costing businesses thousands of pounds.
atWest has
released a short
educational
video to raise
awareness of the
scam, which
involves tricking clients into
updating bank account details
for regular suppliers.
The details are replaced with
the scammer’s account which
gets credited the next time the
supplier is paid. The debt to the
real supplier still stands, so the
victim ends up having to pay
twice.
Ian Burrow, Head of
Agriculture and Renewable
Energy at NatWest, said: “This is
a very effecti