Written question WQ98173

The Welsh Government’s assessment of the work of the Future Generations Commissioner (FGC) is that the role plays a foundational part in the implementation of the Well-being of Future Generations Act.

The Commissioner’s contributions have driven system change through reviews, which have been successful in embedding the Act into the processes they examined, and was a leading contributory factor in establishing the Socially Responsible Procurement duty (2023). The 2022 review of Welsh Government directly resulted in the development and implementation of the Continuous Learning and Improvement Plan (CLIP), a significant internal reform linked to the Act.

Recently the Commissioner has emphasised prevention budgeting within the Public Sector. This was recognised by Public Health Wales as “keeping people healthy, reducing health inequalities and is value for money.” Likewise, his office has taken a special interest in food systems as a central pillar of long-term well-being.

In partnership with Welsh Government the FGC has set up Hwb Dyfodol, an emerging forum to build expertise and capacity in futures and long‑term thinking across the public sector. The Hwb is enabling organisations to learn from academic experts, practitioners and each other to embed long‑term thinking into strategic planning processes.

Internationally, the FGC strengthens Wales’ global reputation. Together the Act and the FGC are used as an exemplar of well-being governance and futures thinking across the world.

There is strong evidence then that the Future Generations Commissioner offers substantial added value, impact, and a demonstrably positive influence on public sector decision-making in Wales.