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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority Major Projects Annual Report 2025 to 2026, Tables, Farming and Countryside Programme, what was the outcome of the NISTA-style review scheduled for April 2026.

The National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority-style review of the Farming and Countryside Programme (FCP) was undertaken between 22 and 24 April 2026. It found that the FCP reset had stabilised delivery, streamlined scope, and increased confidence in scheme delivery. It concluded that successful delivery remained feasible, and management attention was required to address findings relating to programme governance, operating model and the establishment of the Future Rural Payments Service.