Thousands of farms across Wales have started receiving advance payments under two Welsh Government support schemes, according to an announcement from ministers. The payments cover the Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) Universal Layer and the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS), and are being made at a time when the industry faces significant pressure.

Key points

  • Advance payments made — 90% of SFS Universal Layer claimants and 94% of BPS claimants have been paid.
  • Higher rate — the advance rate rose from 70% to 80% for both schemes this year.
  • Balance payments — these start from mid-December, with most claims paid before the end of March 2027.
  • Dashboard action — SFS claimants must update their RPW Online dashboard to get their balance.

The Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability, Llyr Gruffydd, said the government had raised the advance payment rate from 70% to 80% so that farms could access more of their expected money sooner. He described the first year of the SFS as a big win and urged farmers to check their RPW Online accounts for any outstanding queries that could delay payment.

Further advance payments are due to be made over the coming weeks as claims are checked and confirmed. Balance payments will then begin from mid-December, and all but the most complex claims should be settled before the end of March 2027. Farmers in the SFS Universal Layer need to update their SFS Universal Dashboard on RPW Online before their balance can be released.

The payments follow other recent support measures for farming, including a longer open period for spreading slurry, derogations on some scheme requirements for crop and habitat management, and grants for climate adaptation methods such as boreholes and water harvesting equipment.

Editor's comment

What it means in practice

For farming households in Wales, the cash arriving now is money already earned or expected, not a bonus. The higher advance rate means more of it lands earlier in the year, which helps with winter feed, fuel and other bills. But the balance payments still depend on claims being checked and, for SFS claimants, on the dashboard being up to date.

  • Check RPW Online — look for outstanding queries and resolve them before they hold up your balance payment.
  • Budget around the payment schedule — balance payments start from mid-December and most claims should be settled by the end of March 2027.
  • Note the other support — slurry spreading dates, scheme derogations and adaptation grants may also affect your plans this winter.