THE boss of the Government agency responsible for processing millions of pounds of support payments to farmers has pledged to pay promptly following a plea from Rishi.
Mark Grimshaw, chief executive of the Rural Payments Agency, was asked by Rishi how he could speed up the payments to farmers facing low prices for their livestock and milk.
Prompt payment could be the difference between farm businesses surviving or collapsing, particularly in the dairy sector, he said.
The payments are due to be made in December and January 2016.
Rishi urged Mr Grimshaw to do all he could to make sure farmers facing cash flow problems received the money they were entitled to as quickly as possible.
Mr Grimshaw was giving evidence to the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs select committee, of which Rishi is a member.
The Rural Payments Agency has had problems in the past making payments on time, partly because of computer software problems.
Referring to the current problems faced by dairy farmers, many of whom are receiving less for their milk than it costs to produce, Rishi said: “Your payments will be the difference between people being in business and sustaining their livelihood or deciding to pack it in. I urge you and you team to do everything you can to ensure the greatest number of farmers get their payments as soon as possible.”
Mr Grimshaw responded by saying the RPA recognised the situation farmers faced and the importance of the payments to the rural economy as a whole. His staff were working seven days a week and volunteering to work extra hours. “I can assure you we are pulling out every single stop,” he said.
Earlier, Mr Grimshaw said the agency was on target to make the “majority of payments in December and the vast majority by the end of January.” He agreed to give a progress report to the committee later in the year.
Rishi asked Mr Grimshaw about the problems with the online application process in 2015 and what arrangements would be for 2016. Mr Grimshaw said work was still continuing with the online portal but farmers would be able to complete their forms online or on paper next year.