MS, Cabinet Secretary for Social
Justice, Trefnydd and Chief Whip: I want to express my sincere
gratitude to the Future Generations Commissioner for Wales, Derek
Walker, and his office for producing this important report, and for the
vital role they continue to play in championing the ambitions of
this landmark legislation. Over the past decade, the Act has
become a defining feature of public life in Wales. It underpins
everything we do in Welsh Government and remains central to our
mission.
I am grateful to the Commissioner for the breadth and depth of
the recommendations put forward to both Welsh Government and
public bodies and for the constructive challenge and support that
his office provides. The recommendations speak directly to the
long‑term, preventative and collaborative ways of working that
the Act requires of us all.
In the annex to this statement, I have provided Welsh
Government's response to each of the Commissioner's
recommendations to Welsh Government. I am pleased that we were
able to agree to many of the recommendations, and I know that
many others will be considered by the next Welsh Government.
I have answered the recommendations on behalf of the Welsh
Government. However, I also want to express my support of the
recommendations for other public bodies and encourage active
engagement from the public sector on these. Alongside the
Commissioner's report, I endorse 22 of the 23 recommendations for
Public Bodies in the report. My endorsement of these
recommendations is shown in the annex to this statement. The
Welsh Government will continue to work closely with the
Commissioner's office to help progress adoption of the
recommendations across both Welsh Government and Public Bodies.
This includes those recommendations addressed to Public Bodies
and not to Welsh Government (recommendations 19, 20, 26 and
35).
It has been a privilege to contribute to the continued
implementation of the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales)
Act 2015, one of Wales's proudest achievements. The Act has and
continues to shape a fairer, greener and more prosperous future
for generations to come.
