THE RPA ARE INCREASING PAYMENT RATES ACROSS A RANGE OF THE HLS OPTIONS

To reflect the contribution and to support the continued protection in managing important habitats and delivering environmental benefits, such as maintaining species-rich grasslands and moorland.

All HLS agreement holders will be eligible, but the change to payment rates will depend on the option contained in the actual agreement. Agreement holders will see an increase to the value of their agreements from the 2025 claim year. If you have an option with a payment rate that is increasing, the new rate will be paid as part of your usual claim payment from December 2025.

We'll publish a table showing the updated payment rates for each HLS option as soon as possible.

We'll also write to HLS agreement holders by April to explain the new rates and what they mean for them.