Nearly 14,000 members of the public have banded together to urge the Prime Minister to introduce a Future Generations Act to help safeguard the future of children across the UK.
The petition calls for the introduction of a new Act to improve the social, economic, cultural and environmental well-being of the UK by requiring public bodies to think about the long term impact of their decisions on citizen’s wellbeing, rather than relying on short-term fixes. Ella’s Kitchen, the UK’s largest baby and kids’ food manufacturer, introduced the petition, which was delivered to 10 Downing Street by campaigners, including William, aged 2 and Poppy, aged 3, alongside Labour MP Sharon Hodgson on Tuesday.
The petition was backed by the world’s first Future Generations Commissioner, Sophie Howe – who held the post in Wales between 2016 to 2023 – and asks the Prime Minister to urgently introduce the Act to combat some of the biggest challenges facing people today – from the unacceptable levels of child poverty to the climate crisis.
Chris Jenkins, Director of Impact at Ella’s Kitchen UK said:
“Like many parents, I constantly think about my children’s future and the world we’re leaving behind for them. With 4.3 million children living in poverty and the UK facing multiple crises – from health and wellbeing to climate and nature – it’s impossible not to feel the urgency to act. The incredible support we’ve seen from parents, carers and members of the public since we launched our petition in June just goes to show that so many people across the UK feel the same.
“A Future Generations act could be a game-changer. Ensuring that the Government moves beyond short-term fixes and makes long-term, joined-up decisions that put the health and wellbeing of our children’s future first.
“As a B Corp, we’re committed to using our voice to push for a better future. We know we’re not perfect, but we are determined to drive change where we can. This Act has the power to deliver change for generations to come”.
The petition delivery follows the introduction of the world’s first Future Generations Act in Wales in 2015. The concept of which has gained international support, with the United Nations having passed the Declaration on Future Generations in September 2024 – committing the UN to concrete steps that take account of future generations in its decision-making.
The Act has seen the Welsh Government held accountable over how their decision affect citizens, both now and in the future. The most notable result being the reversal of a decision to spend the entirety of Wales’s borrowing capacity to build a motorway that would run through environmentally sensitive wetlands. Funds were instead diverted to investment in public transport and active travel to benefit the long-term health and wellbeing of people, as well as the natural environment.
By adopting similar legislation within Westminster, the UK would become one of the first countries in the world to demonstrate its firm commitment to creating a future fit for the next generation, and every generation to come.
Sharon Hodgson, Labour MP said:
“It was an honour to join Ella’s Kitchen to deliver this important petition to the Prime Minister. Almost 14,000 people from across the UK have come together to tell us that they want our Government to put the future of our children first, and this is exactly what Labour is committed to doing. I am supportive of a Future Generations Act, which would send a strong signal about what we as a society want to leave behind – for our children, grandchildren and the generations that follow, while creating tangible change that would support a healthier, happier and more prosperous country”.
