Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many claims for payment for work under the Higher Level Stewardship scheme which took place in (a) 2015-16 and (b) 2016-17 are unresolved; and whether he has set a target date for the resolution of those claims.

Holders of Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) agreements receive two payments: an advance and a final payment.

1,111 (20%) of HLS agreements are still to receive their final payment for 2016.

6,774 (52%) of HLS agreements are still to receive a payment for 2017.

There is no set deadline for Environmental Stewardship payments. Natural England is focused on making the payments and we are keeping farming groups regularly updated on progress.