Jane Hutt MS, Minister for Social Justice
The seven well-being goals for Wales contained within the Well-being of Future Generations Act provide a description of an economically, socially and environmentally just Wales. As a government we are committed to making our contribution to these goals, and in ensuring the well-being of future generations’ framework continues to drive better decision making for current and future generations.
The Well-being of Future Generations Act includes three measures that help provide a shared understanding of our country. The national indicators which measure progress, the national milestones that indicate the scale and pace of change, and the future trends report that sets out the factors that may affect progress towards achievement of the well-being goals. Combined, these three mechanisms will help shape Wales’ future.
In February, the Welsh Government committed to a roadmap for publication of the national milestones, the changes to the national indicators and the publication of the future trends report by December 2021. Today, it gives me great pleasure to launch a consultation on national milestones for Wales that will shape future action towards achieving the shared well-being goals. It proposes nine national milestones that will assist Welsh Ministers in assessing progress towards the well-being goals and also seeks views on potential gaps in the current set of national well-being indicators that have been highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
To reflect the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic the national milestones will be developed in two waves - the first wave of nine will be set before the end of 2021 with the second wave in 2022. The first wave of proposed milestones are in the areas where the supporting data has been less impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic or where an existing and widely supported target is proposed as the national milestone. The national milestones in this consultation have been developed with stakeholders through a number of forums, engagement events and discussions. I am extremely grateful to the organisations and individuals who have contributed to date and helped us shape these proposals.
Progress towards the well-being goals relies on action from everyone in Wales, and in particular those public bodies with a duty to achieve the well-being goals. Setting national milestones against the national indicators will help galvanise collective action and provide a renewed focus on the pace and scale of change needed.
Achieving the well-being goals will require action by Government, the public sector, businesses, the third sector and citizens. You can be part of this important conversation through the Shaping Wales’ Future blog.
The consultation on the national milestones and indicators will run from 1 September to 26 October 2021. I would encourage anyone with an interest in the well-being of Wales to respond.
I look forward to considering the responses to the consultation.
This statement is being issued during recess in order to keep members informed. Should members wish me to make a further statement or to answer questions on this when the Senedd returns I would be happy to do so.