Over 15,000 Scottish farmers will share £6.39m of payments under the Financial Discipline Mechanism.

Starting this week, farmers will get an average payment of £426 paid into their bank accounts. The money comes from unspent crisis reserves which are released back to farmers if the cash is not required.

Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing said: “These payments usually issue in October so it is particularly welcome during this challenging time they will start arriving in bank accounts from this week.

“This early delivery will be welcome news to many farmers who are facing the unwelcome prospect of a no deal Brexit and the uncertainties this will inevitably bring to their business.”