Thousands of farmers to benefit from £30m HLS uplift

Farmers in England’s Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) scheme will receive a £30m payment increase backdated to January 2025, but experts warn urgent action is needed to support them and accelerate transition to higher-tier schemes.

Defra revealed payment rates for 157 HLS options will rise dating back to 1 January this year, with the changes reflected in the 2025 claim year. In total, 5,505 agreement holders can expect to see these adjustments in their payments from December 2025 onwards.

Farming and environmental groups welcomed the increase in HLS payment rates but highlighted that many options still fall short of the rates offered for equivalent measures under the Countryside Stewardship (CS) and Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) schemes.

See also: Defra misses deadline on HLS payment updates

Unveiling the £30m payment uplift, farming minister Daniel Zeichner reaffirmed the government’s support for farmers driving environmental progress.

“Farmers are the backbone of our countryside and are leading the charge to restore nature,” he said.

“This uplift recognises their vital role in protecting our environment – essential for food security, productivity, and tackling climate change.”

Defra has published a detailed table outlining the updated payment rates and will directly notify all HLS agreement holders to explain what the changes mean for them.

CS Higher Tier scheme 

With many HLS agreements set to expire by 2028, stakeholders are calling on Defra to provide a transparent transition pathway into the revamped CS Higher Tier scheme, which will open for new applications later in 2025.

The CS Higher Tier scheme will offer funding to farmers and land managers for land management practices that protect, restore, or enhance the environment while addressing climate change.

The scheme applies to diverse land types, including woodlands, farmland, and nature reserves, and covers important environmental and historic sites such as sites of special scientific interest, commons, woodlands, and scheduled monuments.

Industry reaction

NFU deputy president David Exwood welcomed the £30m payment uplift for HLS but warned it “falls short of helping the cashflow pressures many farm businesses are facing”.

He stressed the need for a clear transition process into CS Higher Tier schemes and the SFI.

Alice Groom, head of sustainable land policy at the RSPB, called the uplift “urgently needed, but not enough”, urging Defra to commit to a full CS Higher Tier rollout and maintain the current £2.4bn agriculture budget.

James Robinson, chairman of the NFFN England steering group, added that the uplift is only a “partial correction” and stronger support is needed to sustain ambitious, nature-friendly farming.

For more information on HLS agreements or the upcoming CS Higher Tier scheme, farmers and land managers should contact Defra’s Customer Service Centre at 03000 200 301 or email ruralpayments@defra.gov.uk.