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Formal Business Of The APPG

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The following positions were voted on and elected as:

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Chair

Bambos Charalambous MP

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Secretariat

Sam Hilton and Caroline Baylon, currently funded by the Centre for Effective Altruism.

 

 

 

 

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Introductory Remarks

 

Lord Bird opened the meeting, thanking Parliamentarians for attending, and highlighting the importance of prevention and beginning the movement of future generations legislation.

 

Caroline Lucas MP (Green) explained how the Wellbeing of Future Generations Bill is based on the simple premise of placing future generations at the heart of decision-making and how that concept is often challenging for politicians who tend to not consider long-term effects.

She emphasised that the current situation, especially related to climate, makes it even more important to support this bill now. She is grateful to collaborate on the issue and hopes to host a debate in Parliament and gain cross-party support for the bill.

 

Sophie Howe began by explaining how the Welsh Wellbeing of Future Generations Act , which the UK bill is based upon, developed through grassroots movements and places a duty on public bodies to consider long-termism.

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NGOs were significant in developing the national conversation to create the seven national wellbeing goals which public bodies work towards and the five ways of working. The act also created the role of an independent future generations commissioner, which Howe has been for the past four years, to monitor, assess, and advise, public bodies.

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She explains how the implementation of the act isn’t changing the world, but is undoing years of short-termism through changes in policy, culture, and thinking.

 

Some examples of changes since implementation of the act are:

• Increasing pledges to create national forests

• Agricultural policies

• School curriculum revisions

• The government’s commitment to climate change has increased, with an estimated 28% increase in funding for climate emergencies since the implementation of the act.

• A recent challenge has been assessing whether GCSEs are fit for the future.

 

An example of cultural requirements actively changing behaviour in cities are public health consultants working on city transportation structures in Cardiff. This partnership resulted in mass rollouts of bikes for hire, investment in safe cycle routes targeting in areas of deprivation who can benefit from physical activity.

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'Although there were challenges to implement the act in order to undo short-termism, the legislation provided framework for many major changes in Wales.'

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Professor Daniella Tilbury emphasised that the overall goal is to end short term decision making and enshrine rights of Future Generations in law. She explained how it is necessary to work with government departments one on one to unpack the way of thinking and consider alternative ways of working so that intergenerational equity and sustainability are embedded in how things are carried out.

 

Gibraltar asks public bodies and government departments to set their own sustainability objectives, but ultimately they still report to Parliament. She encourages the creation of an independent UK Future Generations Commissioner through this bill in order for public bodies across the UK to be committed to long-termism and have a preventative focus.

 

The commitment to future generations is not only important to address the climate emergency and poverty, but also to focus on youth dis-empowerment. This bill would open doors to engage younger generations to construct a much better future. She explains how the bill is about connectivity, by connecting present and future generations and creating a duty to work across governmental departments.

 

She looks forward to working with the UK and creating change.

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Professor Graham Smith thanked Lord Bird for his work on the bill and recognised the need for this type of legislation.

 

He explains three main reasons for the failure of Parliament to respond to pertinent issues such as:

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1. The voices of future generations are not here to defend their own interests, so there is an absent voice at the table.

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2. Short term electoral cycles drive politicians to consider only short term returns.

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3. Entrenched interests are blocking change, within the government and beyond.

 

He explains how it is useful to learn from similar campaigns in other countries to create wellbeing objectives and then place a duty on public bodies to embody them. This bill makes a case for a UK Future Generations Commissioner and a joint committee in Parliament to review incoming legislation through a long-term lens.

 

He encourages a three-pronged campaign, through getting involved with Lord Bird’s office, The Big Issue, and the public, to raise awareness and garner support for the Today for Tomorrow campaign, along with working with civil societies and businesses as they realise this is vital for their future. He acknowledges that the bill is not perfect, but that it is a good start that he hopes will encourage creative conversation and dialogue.

 

Chris White explains his involvement with the Social Value Act and how that process has a similar effect to this bill. The Social Value Bill was not expected to pass through all stages of legislation, but it did and resulted in making major differences and saving the government billions of pounds. The Social Value Act now has been extended from only considering social value to accounting for social value, which results in a big impact on cultural change. He emphasises the need for cross party support of the Wellbeing of Future Generations Bill in the House of Commons and gives his total endorsement.

 

 

Open Discussion

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Next Steps

 

Bambos Charalambous MP (Lab) concluded the meeting and emphasised the importance of scheduling a backbench business debate to further discuss the bill. He confirming with a vote that attendees were happy with the APPG for Future Generations officially supporting the campaign for a Future Generations Bill. Vote passed.

 

Lord Bird thanked the speakers for their participation and calls on Parliamentarians to help in order to grow the campaign. He explained that the present system is unsustainable and money needs to be budgeted properly in order for sustainable development to progress. 

 

Chris White emphasised that the purpose of this bill is not about money, but instead about changing the culture and thinking around policy. Focusing on long-term impacts provides savings rather than just costs.

 

Lord Bird reiterated that funding needs to be reallocated in order to consider the wellbeing of future generations. He then closed the meeting by thanking the attendees and encouraging the support of the Today for Tomorrow campaign.

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Income and Expenditure Statement

The Income and Expenditure Statement for the APPG can be viewed here.

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