More than 70 civil society groups back the creation of a wellbeing bill

Scottish civil society is backing a bid to build a compassionate, outward-facing, environmentally friendly country on the wreckage of the Covid crisis.

More than 70 organisations have signed a letter to party leaders ahead of the forthcoming Scottish Parliament elections, asking them to bring forward a wellbeing and sustainable development (Scotland) bill (WSD Bill) during the next parliament. 

This bill would aim to ensure actions in Scotland contribute to the betterment of wellbeing, both here in Scotland and elsewhere as we navigate out of converging global crises.

Among the many organisations backing it are the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations, RSPB Scotland, Global Justice Now and Oxfam Scotland.

Lewis Ryder-Jones, SDG Scotland Network chair and deputy chief executive at Scotland’s International Development Alliance, said: “People everywhere are facing the twin challenges of the pandemic and the climate crisis, with warnings of a new tidal wave of poverty and suffering on the horizon. Our political leaders must do everything in their power to ensure that Scotland acts now for its own citizens while remaining globally responsible.

“While financial support remains a critical tool in tackling poverty here and elsewhere, we also know that everything we do in – and from – Scotland can impact on the wellbeing of people everywhere and the planet. It is therefore critical that global and local factors are taken into account across the full spectrum of decision-making here in Scotland.

“We hope all political parties support this call for a wellbeing and sustainable development bill. Tackling poverty and inequality and standing in solidarity with the most marginalised and vulnerable people across the world must be at the heart of everything we do.”