PUBLIC bodies are ignoring a law intended to make all decisions improve the well-being of future generations, a report from the public service watchdog in Wales said today.

The Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 aims to improve the long-term well-being of the nation by placing a duty on public bodies to consider the impact of their decisions on future generations.

Auditor General Adrian Crompton said: “The Act is not driving the system-wide change that was intended.

“Driving change across often large, complex organisations is hard. But I urge public bodies to see the sustainable development principle as a value for money issue. 

“We cannot afford to design solutions that do not meet people’s needs, burden future generations with avoidable higher costs, or miss opportunities to deliver more with the same or less.”

The Auditor General’s report recommends that the Welsh government minimise funding uncertainty for public bodies and take a fresh look at the assessment of performance and impact under the Act.

The Welsh government was asked to comment.