Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015: Post-legislative scrutiny

The Equality and Social Justice Committee agreed to undertake an inquiry on post-legislative scrutiny of the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act.

 

The Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 received Royal Assent in 2015. The Act is concerned with improving the social, economic, environmental and cultural well-being of Wales. It aims to put sustainable development at the centre of decision-making, and is designed to ensure actions meet the needs of the present, without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

 

The Act puts in place seven well-being goals for Wales. It places a duty on public bodies to set and publish well-being objectives to show how they will achieve the goals.

It also established the role of the Future Generations Commissioner to promote the sustainable development principle, act as a guardian for the interests of future generations in Wales, and to support the public bodies listed in the Act.

 

2025 marks ten years since the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 gained Royal Assent. Following a decade of the existence of the Act, the Committee considers it timely that post-legislative scrutiny now takes place.

 

Terms of reference

The terms of reference for the inquiry are to consider:

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>>>how far the intended objective of the Act is being achieved; 

>>>any action which should be taken to improve the effectiveness of the Act and its implementation, including any specific drafting issues;

>>>whether the review and reporting requirements under the Act are being met;

>>>the effectiveness of guidance made under the Act;

>>>how far the Act has been legally binding and enforceable; and

>>>how far the Act has represented, and will continue to represent, value for money. 

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Please note that the Committee is keen to build on the body of existing, and anticipated, literature regarding the operation of the Act rather than duplicate . The Committee therefore intends, where possible, to take reports required under the Act into account and to refine its approach according to any emerging findings as the inquiry develops.

 

The Committee’s call for evidence

The Committee welcomed written evidence on the inquiry’s terms of reference from any interested stakeholder.

 

We wanted to make sure that our work was informed by experiences, needs, and views that reflected the diversity of the people and communities affected by these issues.

 

We encouraged anyone with expertise or experience of these issues to share their views, with the full knowledge that their views were welcomed and valued.

 

The Committee also invited a list of targeted stakeholders to submit a response.

 

The deadline for written responses was 20 June 2025.

 

 

Providing Written Evidence

The Senedd has two official languages, Welsh and English.

 

In line with the Senedd’s Official Languages Scheme, the Committee welcomes contributions in both or either of our official languages, and we ask organisations that are subject to Welsh Language standards or schemes to respond in line with their own obligations. Please inform the Committee when submitting responses if you intend to provide a translation at a later date.

 

Please see guidance for those providing evidence for committees.

 

Disclosure of information

Please ensure that you have considered the Senedd’s policy on disclosure of information before submitting information to the Committee.