Holyrood committee seeks views on proposals to protect future generations

The Wellbeing and Sustainable Development (Scotland) Bill, introduced earlier this year by Sarah Boyack MSP, would place a legal duty on public bodies to promote sustainable development and wellbeing in the work they undertake. It also proposes the creation of a future generations commissioner to support and oversee this work.

The Social Justice and Social Security Committee has launched its call for views to inform its stage one scrutiny of the bill during which it will also take account of the findings of a recent parliamentary committee report that recommended against the creation of more commissioners.

Sarah Boyack MSP has set out her hopes that the bill will encourage more joined-up thinking across public services. She also believes that her proposals will help Scotland tackle long-term challenges such as climate change, inequality, and environmental degradation.

The bill also sets out definitions of “sustainable development” and “wellbeing” and aims to embed these principles into public decision-making in Scotland.

The committee’s call for views will be open until Sunday 24 August 2025.

Collette Stevenson MSP, convener of the Social Justice and Social Security Committee, said: “This bill could have a significant impact on how decisions are made across Scotland’s public sector.

“We’re keen to hear what the public sector and local authorities make of the proposals, and we’d also like to hear from professionals, academics, children and young people, as well as anyone else with an interest in wellbeing and sustainable development.

“By sharing your views with us, you’ll help us explore how the proposals could work in practice and what the changes could mean for Scotland’s future generations.”