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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to monitor Higher Level Stewardship payments to ensure they deliver (a) measurable environmental benefits and (b) value for money in (i) rural communities and (ii) Fylde constituency.

Extensions to Higher Level Stewardships (HLS) agreements have been offered to all based on meeting specific eligibility requirements and an assessment that the current agreement continues to meet its expected environmental outcomes. This provides value for money and delivers environmental benefits in rural communities. No HLS agreements fall within the Flyde constituency.