Future generations warning issued ahead of Senedd election
Political parties must not ignore the needs of future generations as they prepare for the Senedd election, according to Wales’s Future Generations Commissioner.
Derek Walker is giving evidence to the Senedd’s Equality and Social Justice Committee today, where he is warning that urgent action is needed to tackle environmental, economic and health challenges facing Wales.
He argues that without decisive leadership, worsening problems will be left for future generations to repair.
“From the cost of living crisis, to entrenched inequalities across Wales, from a health service forever teetering on the brink, to an environment facing cataclysmic climatic change – all these things have major consequences for the future,” he said.
“Elected members don’t just speak for the three million people living in Wales today, they speak for the millions of people not yet born. Around 360,000 people, around the size of Cardiff, will be born in the next 20 years alone. The choices we make now will shape their lives, and their needs must guide how we respond to the economic, environmental, health and cultural crises of our time.”
Mr Walker said political leaders must take a long-term view, even with shorter Senedd terms.
“Even with the Senedd moving to a shorter four year term, political leaders must keep their eyes on the future, honouring the promises we owe to our children, our grandchildren, and those yet to come,” he said.
“I see a hopeful vision of Wales for the future, but it is one that can only be achieved if all parts of society, led by our elected officials in Cardiff Bay, work together and understand just how urgent that action needs to be.
“Future generations don’t have a vote. We can’t leave them to repair damage we can fix today.”
Wales is the only country in the world with a Well-being of Future Generations Act, which requires public bodies to consider the long-term impact of their decisions. Progress is measured through national indicators, including healthy life expectancy, air pollution and participation in culture.
The commissioner will tell Senedd members that while some indicators show progress, improvement remains slow and uneven.
He is also calling on political parties to ensure their election manifestoes address both current and future challenges, including climate and nature emergencies, health inequalities and economic pressures.
Among his proposals is the creation of a Committee for the Future within the Senedd, aimed at strengthening long-term scrutiny and improving public understanding of future-focused decision making.
The role of Future Generations Commissioner marks its 10th anniversary in 2026. Mr Walker’s latest Future Generations Report sets out 50 recommendations aimed at safeguarding long-term well-being in Wales, including measures on nature recovery, food security, poverty prevention and fair pay.
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