The Rural Payments Agency has confirmed that 99 farmers in England are yet to receive a penny of their single farm payment for 2005 and some 7300 claimants are awaiting their top-up payments.

In total, initial payments are yet to be made to 3560 individuals –  although the bulk of these are pony paddock claimants.

The RPA said on Wednesday (27 Spetember) that it had made full or partial payments totalling £1.498bn to 112,914 customers. This means that 98.86% of the total amount due has now been paid to 96.94% of claimants.

An RPA spokesman said the agency was focusing its efforts on making the remaining payments as soon as possible. Many had been delayed due to questions over probate, liquidation, divorce or partnership disputes.

The spokesman also confirmed that the agency had this week started making modulation rebates of £96.75 to producers, as has the Scottish Executive. Farmers in Wales and Northern Ireland have already received this money.