Wellbeing and Sustainable Development Bill: consultation - easy read

Wellbeing and Sustainable Development Bill - Consultation - Easy Read version

What we want to do

When the Government wants to change the law, they have to hold a consultation first. A consultation is when the government asks people for their views.

This consultation is about the future. We want everyone to work together to protect our environment and make people’s lives better.

It is important to put people and the planet first as we tackle the cost of living and climate crises.

We need to make better decisions about the wellbeing of our people and our planet. We need to think about the needs of future generations.

The Scottish Government’s Wellbeing and Sustainable Development Bill sets out our plans to make this happen.

We need to hear from people and organisations across Scotland. We want your views on the questions in this consultation. You do not need to give answers to all the questions.

Background

If we want a healthy society and economy, we need a healthy planet too. We need to make better laws and policies for Scotland’s future.

We want to think about how we make new laws. We also want to make sure that long-lasting wellbeing is part of all the decisions we make.

We have learned from others

We have looked at the work others have done. We have looked at how wellbeing and long-lasting development can be part of our decisions.

We have listened to what voluntary organisations and charities have told us about long-lasting development.

We have looked at the work that has been done in other countries to make things better for future generations.

Changes we are thinking about

The Scottish Government wants to make sure that all decisions are about the wellbeing of the people of Scotland. We want to make sure that:

• Children grow up loved, safe and respected so that they can get the best out of life.
• We live in communities that are inclusive, strong, and safe.
• We are creative and our different cultures are enjoyed widely.
• We have a healthy and strong economy.
• We are well educated, skilled and able to give something to society.
• We value, enjoy, and protect the environment.
• We have successful businesses with quality jobs and fair work for everyone.
• We are healthy and active.
• We respect and protect human rights and live free from discrimination. Discrimination is when someone is treated unfairly because of who they are.
• We are open, connected and respected around the world.
• We tackle poverty by sharing wealth more equally.

We want the Wellbeing and Sustainable Development Bill to make these ideas part of the law. This will make sure that government and public authorities meet the values and wishes of the people of Scotland.

What do we want to know?

We want to hear your views on our ideas for the Wellbeing and Sustainable Development Bill.

1. What we mean by ‘wellbeing’

Do we need to set down in law what we mean by ‘wellbeing’?

Yes / No

How should ‘wellbeing’ be explained in the law? Please give your answer in the box below:

2. What we mean by ‘sustainable development’

The United Nations explain sustainable development as development that meets our present needs without affecting future generations. We are thinking about using this definition in Scotland.

Do we need to explain in law what we mean by ‘sustainable development’?

Yes / No

Do you agree that we should use the United Nations definition of ‘sustainable development’?

Yes / No

How should ‘sustainable development’ be explained in the law? Please give your answer in the box below:

What future issues could the law help us tackle? Please give your answer in the box below:

Will this cause issues with other laws? Please give your answer in the box below:

Better rules for public authorities about sustainable development

Public authorities are organisations that are funded by the public to give a service. These include local councils, the health service, education service, and police.

We want new rules that will make sure public authorities meet our present needs without affecting future generations.

How could public authorities look after sustainable development and future generations? Please give your answer in the box below:

Is there anything that should be included or kept out of the law? Please give your answer in the box below:

Will this cause issues for public authorities? Please give your answer in the box below:

3. Who are these rules for?

The rules could be for Scottish Government Ministers and some other people working for public authorities. This will make it clear who is responsible for wellbeing, and sustainable development.

Do you think the new rules should be for the Scottish Government?

Yes / No

Which other organisations should the rules apply to? Please give your answer in the box below:

4. Ways of working

We want to find the best ways to work together.

We want to set out how public authorities should make wellbeing and sustainable development part of their decision-making. We need to decide if this should be part of the law or a set of guidelines.

How can we help public authorities reach our goals? Please give your answer in the box below:

What else is needed to help public authorities work well together? Please give your answer in the box below:

How would new rules affect the work you do? Please give your answer in the box below:

What would you need to put these rules into action in your organisation? Please give your answer in the box below:

5. Future generations

To reach our goals, we might need a Future Generations Commissioner. They would work to make sure we reach our goals for the benefit of future generations.

They would make sure that public authorities and Government Ministers do what they are supposed to do.

Should Scotland have an independent Commissioner for Future Generations?

Yes / No

How could an independent Commissioner for Future Generations make decision-making better? Please give your answer in the box below:

How could decision-making be fairer and more open to the public? Please give your answer in the box below: