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

Inquiry3

At its meeting on 31 March 2025 the Equality and Social Justice Committee agreed to undertake 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 and 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 mark ten years since the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 gained Royal Assent. Following a decade of the existence of the Well-being of Future Generations Act, the Committee considers it timely to undertake post-legislative scrutiny of the impact and effectiveness of the legislation.

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.

Evidence gathering

The Committee gathered oral and written evidence during the summer and autumn of 2025. It also gathered views directly from citizens through a programme of engagement work.

Oral evidence

The Committee took oral evidence on the following dates:

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>>>23 June 2025

>>>30 June 2025

>>>7 July 2025

>>>10 November 2025

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Final details of each session were available on the meeting page.

Written evidence

The Committee launched a call for written evidence, with full details available on the consultation page. The deadline for written responses was 20 June 2025.

Engagement

A number of engagement activities took place. Full information of all engagement activities can be found in the summary of engagement.

An easy read version of the summary of engagement is also available.