Wellbeing and Sustainable Development (Scotland) Bill

Overview

The Social Justice and Social Security Committee is seeking views on a Bill which will promote consideration by public bodies of sustainable development and the wellbeing of future generations.

Responses to this call for views will help to inform the Committee’s scrutiny of the Bill, including the selection of witnesses to be invited to give oral evidence on the Bill.

About this call for views

The Wellbeing and Sustainable Development (Scotland) Bill was introduced in the Scottish Parliament on 27 March 2025 by Sarah Boyack MSP.

The Explanatory Notes accompanying the Bill describes its purpose as follows:

“The Bill creates a new public duty, which requires all public bodies to have due regard for the need to promote wellbeing and sustainable development in the exercise of their functions. It also establishes statutory definitions of the terms “wellbeing” and “sustainable development” for the purposes of the Bill.

"The Bill also establishes a Future Generations Commissioner for Scotland, whose general function will be to promote the wellbeing of future generations by promoting sustainable development by public bodies in all aspects of their decisions, policies and actions. The Commissioner will be appointed by and financially accountable to the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (SPCB) and will be independent from government."

Who we would like to hear from

We welcome responses from a wide range of individuals and organisations, including:

public sector organisations and local authorities
third sector organisations
professionals with experience in this area
academics with experience in this area
children and young people
members of the public

Please answer the call for views by completing the submission form below.

You don’t have to answer all the questions. If you would prefer to send in a statement which does not cover any of the questions, please get in touch with the Committee at SJSS.committee@parliament.scot.

Questions in this call for views Questions in this call for views

Do you think that more needs to be done to embed sustainable development and wellbeing as primary considerations into public policymaking? Please tell us why.
What is your view on the policy objectives of the Bill, as set out in the Policy Memorandum?
Which of the following best expresses your view on section 1, which requires public bodies to have due regard for the need to promote wellbeing and sustainable development?
What is your view on the definition of “public body” (in section 17(2))? Is there a need for statutory definitions of wellbeing, and sustainable development?
What is your view on the definition of “sustainable development” (in section 2)?
What is your view on the definition of “wellbeing” (in section 3)?
Which of the following best expresses your view on section 4, which establishes a Future Generations Commissioner?
Do you have views on the general function (as set out in section 5), powers, structure, and duties of the Commissioner?
Taking account of the Bill’s Financial Memorandum, what is your view on the financial implications (i.e. likely costs and savings) of the Bill?
Do you have any other comments about the Bill?

Analysis

The Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe) will prepare a summary and analysis of responses.

If we receive a very high volume of submissions, this may need to be prepared based on a sample of submissions.

Confidentiality and publication of responses

Please let us know if you wish your response to remain confidential. You can also ask for your submission to be anonymised.

We aim to publish all the submissions we receive. The only exceptions are where submissions are made on a “confidential” or “not for publication” basis.

If we receive a very high volume of submissions, we may not have the resources to process and publish them all.

How to submit your views

Please submit your views using the online submission form, linked to below.

We welcome written views in English, Gaelic, Scots or any other language.

The call for views closes on 24 August 2025.

Give us your views

Click here to complete the submission form

Interests

SJSS

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