Overview

The Wellbeing of Future Generations Bill aims to ensure that the needs of present generations are met without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It establishes a framework for long-term planning and decision-making across UK public bodies, incorporating the "future generations principle" into policy and spending decisions.

Description

This bill introduces several key mechanisms:

• National Wellbeing Goals: A public consultation will establish national wellbeing goals encompassing environmental, social, economic, and cultural aspects.
• Wellbeing Duty on Public Bodies: Public bodies must set and meet wellbeing objectives aligned with the national goals, publishing annual progress reports and conducting future generations impact assessments for policy changes.
• Preventative Spending: Public bodies must report on and justify their preventative spending, aiming to address issues before they escalate.
• Futures and Forecasting Report: The Secretary of State will publish a regular report analyzing long-term trends and risks, informing future planning.
• Future Generations Commission: A new commission will monitor progress, provide advice, conduct reviews of public bodies, and initiate investigations into non-compliance.
• Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) Extension: The OBR's remit expands to include considering the future generations principle in its work.
• Joint Committee on Future Generations: A joint parliamentary committee will scrutinize legislation and policy from a long-term perspective.
• Ministers for Future Generations: Existing ministers will be given added duties to champion the future generations principle within their departments.

Government Spending

The bill does not specify exact figures for increased government spending. However, it will likely lead to some additional costs associated with the establishment and operation of the Future Generations Commission, the Joint Committee, and the increased reporting requirements on public bodies. The long-term impact on government spending is anticipated to be a shift towards more preventative spending, potentially saving money in the long run by avoiding the escalation of problems.

Groups Affected

• UK Government Departments: Required to set wellbeing objectives, conduct impact assessments, report on progress, and integrate the future generations principle into policy.
• Other Public Bodies: Subject to similar requirements as government departments, with potential for reviews and investigations by the Commission.
• The Public: Involved in the national conversation to establish wellbeing goals and can participate in the citizens panel advising the Commission. May also bring legal action if they believe a public body is failing to meet its obligations.
• The Office for Budget Responsibility: Its remit is expanded to include long-term risk assessment and consideration of the future generations principle.
• Parliament: A new Joint Committee will be established to scrutinize long-term implications of policy.
• Future Generations Commission: A new body tasked with promoting the future generations principle.

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