Wrekin MP Mark Pritchard demands farmers get overdue cash
A Shropshire MP has called for farmers in Shropshire to receive payments that are four months overdue.
Farmers were supposed to receive money from the Rural Payments Agency in December, but some of them have not yet received the money that was due to have been paid.
Wrekin MP Mark Pritchard said this is putting many small farmers under extreme difficulty.
Speaking in the House of Commons, Mr Pritchard called for a debate in the house on the issue.
Addressing Commons leader Chris Grayling, he said: "Does the leader of the House share my concern that some small Shropshire farmers who were due to be paid under the Basic Payment Scheme in December 2015 have still not been paid, which is causing real hardship?"
It was revealed that the majority of farmers had received their payments, but a high percentage were still waiting.
Mr Grayling responded: "I understand how strongly he feels about it.
"Of course, small farmers in particular depend on these payments.
"It is not acceptable for them to be left in the position where their cash flows are unnecessarily and inappropriately stretched through government failure."
The Rural Payments Agency has made payments from less than £500 to more than £150,000 covering a range of farms across the country.
About 80 per cent of small businesses have now been paid, as have 83 per cent of medium businesses, Mr Grayling said in his response.
But the Commons leader added that the secretary of state for environment, food and rural affairs, Liz Truss, was aware of the need to finish the job.
He added: "We do not want farmers to be put under undue pressure.
"It is not acceptable for them to be left financially high and dry."
Mr Pritchard said: "I am glad the government are taking more action to speed up payments.
"Small farms in particular can suffer real cash flow problems."
