Overview

This bill aims to improve the wellbeing of future generations in the UK. It introduces a new Future Generations Commissioner, a Joint Parliamentary Committee, and requires public bodies and certain companies to consider the long-term impacts of their actions on the UK's environmental, social, economic, and cultural wellbeing.

Description

The bill establishes a Future Generations Commissioner for the United Kingdom responsible for monitoring public bodies' progress towards wellbeing objectives and conducting reviews and investigations. It creates a Joint Committee on Future Generations to scrutinize legislation and policy from a long-term perspective. The bill mandates that public bodies set wellbeing objectives, conduct future generations impact assessments for policy changes, and report on preventative spending. Specified companies (mostly large companies) must also report on how their activities affect the wellbeing goals. The bill also amends the Public Services (Social Value Act) 2012 to broaden its scope and explicitly include cultural wellbeing in procurement decisions.

Government Spending

The bill will require additional government spending to fund the Future Generations Commissioner's office, the Joint Committee, and associated administrative costs. Exact figures are not specified in the bill itself, but will likely involve significant ongoing expenditure.

Groups Affected

• Public bodies: Required to set wellbeing objectives, conduct impact assessments, report on preventative spending, and potentially face investigations and legal action for non-compliance.
• Specified companies: Required to report on how their activities affect wellbeing goals.
• The public: Can participate in consultations, serve on the citizens' panel, and potentially initiate investigations into public bodies' actions.
• The Future Generations Commissioner: New role with significant responsibilities for monitoring and enforcing the bill’s provisions.
• The Joint Committee on Future Generations: New committee with oversight responsibilities.

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