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From the Scottish Government today at 10.30am but getting no coverage even on the BBC Business site.

More than £296 million in agricultural support has been paid out to Scottish farmers and crofters since the start of September.

As of 11 September, Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) and Greening funding has been paid to 81% of anticipated eligible businesses, with the payment window closing in July next year.

The Scottish Government’s BPS supplements agriculture income, while Greening payments encourage agricultural practices that benefit the environment and climate.

and notably this claim:

To reach so many applicants within the first fortnight of the payments window opening is a real achievement that demonstrates how seriously the Scottish Government takes its commitment to supporting active farming and food production with continuing direct farming support – in stark contrast to elsewhere in the UK. https://www.gov.scot/news/farming-and-crofting-support-2/

How accurate is that last claim?

Scotland is still paying a large, near-universal, area-based Basic Payment plus Greening. In September 2026 it had already put more than £296 million into accounts for 81% of expected eligible businesses, with rates almost unchanged from 2025. The Rural Support Plan keeps most of the budget in this kind of direct support through 2030. That is a genuine policy choice: continuity of income support for active farming, not a switch to competitive “pay for actions” schemes. https://www.gov.scot/news/farming-and-crofting-support-2/

England is the clear opposite. BPS has gone. Remaining delinked payments are being run down to 2027 and are not tied to current land use. The main live scheme is SFI26: farmers apply for specific environmental actions, there is a £100,000 cap, one agreement per business, and a limited budget. Window 2 is opening around now with a pot that may not cover all applicants. That is not “continuing direct farming support” in the Scottish sense. On that comparison, the minister is right. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/290m-for-simpler-fairer-more-accessible-farming-schemes

It is.

How welcome will the Scottish as opposed to the English plan be for farmers?

NFU Scotland President Andrew Connon said:

“This is a significant milestone in moving to a new, domestically designed support system. Crucially, it confirms and locks in the direct support commitments we have worked hard to secure in recent years.

That provides a level of stability and certainty that is vital for farm businesses as they plan, invest and adapt for the future. It is also encouraging to see the clear emphasis on direct support, recognising its importance to the viability of many farming and crofting businesses.” https://www.nfus.org.uk/news/news/nfu-scotland-responds-to-publication-of-scottish-government-rural-support-plan

For English farmers see:

These changes are most advanced in England, where direct payments have already been whittled away to almost nothing, where replacement schemes are either not ready or have been closed without warning, and where any grant funding is both highly competitive and time limited.

This has created a situation of winners and losers. Those who have been able to get into schemes have been able to recoup some of their lost support. But those who have not are experiencing extreme cashflow difficulties. https://www.fwi.co.uk/news/farm-policy/fw-survey-widespread-fear-of-government-policy-for-2026

Help Talking-up Scotland keep going

Crowdfunder at: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/help-talking-up-scotland-keep-going

Or by direct bank transfer to: JOHN WATSON ROBERTSON Sort Code – 08-91-04 Account – 12266421