Overview

The Wellbeing of Future Generations (No. 2) Bill aims to improve the UK's long-term wellbeing by requiring public bodies to consider the needs of future generations in their decision-making. It establishes a Future Generations Commission and a Joint Parliamentary Committee to oversee this process, promotes preventative spending, and introduces impact assessments for policy changes.

Description

The bill introduces a "wellbeing duty" on all UK public bodies (excluding Parliament), requiring them to:

• Set and publish wellbeing objectives aligned with national wellbeing goals (to be determined via a public consultation).
• Conduct future generations impact assessments for significant policy changes.
• Report annually on their progress towards achieving wellbeing objectives and justify preventative spending.

It establishes:

• A Future Generations Commission for the UK to monitor and advise on wellbeing objectives.
• A Joint Committee on Future Generations to scrutinize government policy and legislation.
• A requirement for a Minister in each government department to promote the future generations principle.
• A futures and forecasting report to anticipate long-term risks and trends.

The bill also extends the remit of the Office for Budget Responsibility to include consideration of wellbeing and future generations.

Government Spending

The bill will lead to increased government spending on establishing and maintaining the Future Generations Commission, the Joint Committee, and related administrative costs. Specific figures are not provided in the bill text.

Groups Affected

• Public Bodies: Will be required to adapt their operations to meet the wellbeing duty, potentially requiring changes to policy, planning, and reporting.
• Government Departments: Will need to incorporate the future generations principle into policy-making and reporting.
• The Public: Will have the opportunity to participate in setting national wellbeing goals through a public consultation.
• Future Generations: Will benefit from the long-term considerations enshrined in the bill, although the actual impact will depend on the implementation of its provisions.
• The Office for Budget Responsibility and the Comptroller and Auditor General: Will have expanded responsibilities.

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