“We can’t accept that worsening lives are inevitable for our most vulnerable people and their children.”

A major report into Wales’ well-being should be the push to force change, says the Future Generations Commissioner. 

Well-being of Wales: 2024 takes stock of Wales’ progress on the Well-being of Future Generations Act’s seven well-being goals, which were put into law to improve the country’s social, economic, environmental and cultural well-being.  

Published today, the report finds inequalities are continuing to widen. 

Derek Walker now wants Welsh Government to change its spending priorities to directly respond to the challenges spotlighted in this analysis of the state of the nation. 

Wales is the only country in the world with a Future Generations Act, which requires public bodies including Welsh Government to act in the interests of current generations as well as people yet to be born. 

The law, which turns 10-years-old in April, has created achievements including a progressive school curriculum, a switch to a greener direction for transport and a new way to define prosperity, with a focus on people and planet.  

Mr Walker said this latest report echoes calls he made when he became commissioner in 2023 and published his seven-year strategy, Cymru Can, for better implementation of the Act across public services. 

He said: “I’ve called for bold and urgent action from our public bodies including Welsh Government, and today’s report echoes the mission areas I’ve identified for needing urgent change – health and well-being, climate and nature, culture and a well-being economy. 

“Poverty is harming disadvantaged people disproportionately; those in poorer communities can again expect to live even shorter lives. We need drastic action, including a serious switch to preventative health, using all of our public services, so we don’t pass on poor outcomes to future generations.” 

Mr Walker, who said this was a ‘unique and important’ report that heeded his advice to use more in-depth trend information, called on Welsh Government to use the report to directly guide their budget in December, as is the case in Ireland. 

His team is bringing together public bodies next month to respond to the report and will provide guided advice in his statutory Future Generations Report which will be published next spring. 

He also announced he will be using his strongest powers to review public bodies’ performance, using the evidence in the report.  

Mr Walker said: “My role as commissioner is to push the Welsh Government, councils, the NHS and others in Wales to make sure they are working their hardest to change Wales for the better. 

“The fiscal climate might be difficult, but if we don’t act, we’ll have fewer choices and people’s lives will continue to get harder. Leadership is about finding solutions to difficulties. The Senedd is back from recess and this report needs to be at the top of the political agenda in Wales. 

“We can’t accept that worsening lives are inevitable for our most vulnerable people and their children. Wales has a head-start on breaking the cycle of inequality with a law that demands we be good ancestors. 

“There’s no excuse for not using it to its full potential, for a bright future for Wales with strong institutions, services that keep people well, cleaned up waterways, a truly integrated and accessible public transport system, a fairer food system, community ownership, and employment, training and lifelong education opportunities for everyone.”