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Climate Goals: Wellbeing Economy
30 November 2021
Lead MP
Caroline Lucas
Brighton, Pavilion
Green
Responding Minister
Helen Whately
Tags
EconomyClimate
Word Count: 9517
Other Contributors: 10
At a Glance
Caroline Lucas raised concerns about climate goals: wellbeing economy in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
The lead MP asks the Government to adopt new measures of economic success beyond GDP to prioritise climate, nature, and collective wellbeing. She seeks confirmation that the Government accepts this need and requests a timeline for progress.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
The lead MP is concerned about the failure of current economic systems to address climate goals, inequality, and environmental destruction. She points out that ongoing economic growth threatens to exacerbate these issues. The petition calling for a wellbeing economy received nearly 70,000 signatures, highlighting public support for this approach. Scientific reports from IPCC/IPBES and business leaders like Paul Polman advocate for shifting away from GDP growth towards well-being and sustainability.
Alyn Smith
Green
Na h-Eileanan an Iar
Mr Smith supports the debate topic, emphasising that GDP is a poor measure of societal wellbeing and human happiness. He argues for adopting wider criteria in public expenditure decisions to lead to better outcomes. Mr Smith also highlights the need for systemic change in bus services as an example of applying different metrics leading to tangible improvements.
Beth Winter
Lab
Cynon Valley
Stressed the importance of a bottom-up approach to change, involving constituents in open discussions and taking action based on their needs. Cited examples from her constituency, including climate assemblies and a report called 'Cynon Valley after covid', which advocated for green jobs, secure employment with good terms and conditions, and local economic activity.
Claire Hanna
SDLP
Belfast South and Mid Down
Claire Hanna highlighted the inadequacies of GDP as a measure, noting that it does not account for societal benefits such as raising children or clean air. She pointed out income inequality in the UK is at its highest level since decades ago, affecting overall societal cohesion. Hanna commended local initiatives like the Carryduff Regeneration Forum and others for their efforts towards environmental protection and community building.
Clive Betts
Lab
Sheffield South East
I reminded hon. Members of the guidance from the Commission and the Government about wearing face masks when not speaking, giving space to other Members and staff, and testing twice weekly with lateral flow tests.
Clive Lewis
Lab
Norwich South
Questioned the belief that growth will trickle down to poorer members of society, suggesting instead a better sharing of resources within current ecological limits.
Kirsty Blackman
SNP
Aberdeen North
I am delighted to be called to speak first after the hon. Member for Brighton, Pavilion. We are lucky in Scotland that we have begun making changes required to move away from focusing entirely on economic growth and toward looking at the wellbeing of our population. In schools throughout Scotland, children are aware of their rights under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. It is important for people's wellbeing that they are aware of their rights and can fight for them. There is no point in focusing solely on economic growth if inequality continues to rise.
Pat McFadden
Lab
Wolverhampton South East
Mr McFadden noted the limitations of GDP as an economic measure, highlighting its failure to account for equality and social inclusion. He supported the concept of measuring wellbeing through indices such as a healthy living index and stressed the importance of considering environmental impacts in our economy's transition towards sustainability. Emphasising the long-term costs of delaying action on climate change, he advocated for Labour's commitment to invest annually over a decade in sustainable heating and low-carbon transport infrastructure.
Patrick Grady
SNP
Glasgow North
Mr Patrick Grady discussed the importance of reframing the debate around economic measures to focus on wellbeing and climate goals, citing examples from Scotland's national performance framework. He highlighted the need for a shift in policy towards measuring societal progress through indicators such as the number of girls cycling to school, reflecting broader social benefits.
Rachael Maskell
Lab Co-op
York Central
Ms Maskell expressed concern about the global south paying for the exploits of the global north and argued that COP27 will be a reckoning for the UK Government. She highlighted Kate Raworth's work on doughnut economics and proposed York's green new deal, BioYorkshire, aiming to create 4,000 green-collar jobs and upskill 25,000 people while taking 2.8 million tonnes of carbon out of the atmosphere. Ms Maskell also discussed the importance of a wellbeing economy and the need for embedding principles such as a real living wage, employee wellbeing, environmental responsibility, and ethical sourcing in business practices.
Salford
I thank the hon. Member for Brighton, Pavilion for securing this important debate. We do not have an economic system geared up to ensure that everyone flourishes. Growth means nothing to families struggling and pensioners needing care. With real political will, we can develop a system of economic metrics that centres our economy around what should be the most important measure of success: wellbeing.
Government Response
Helen Whately
Government Response
It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Betts, and to answer the debate on behalf of the Government. I congratulate the hon. Member for Brighton, Pavilion on securing a debate on an issue about which she cares deeply and speaks eloquently. The Government take seriously the topic of wellbeing economy and are committed to delivering world-leading climate goals while prioritizing citizen welfare and environmental sustainability. We are already thinking differently by focusing on broader measures such as reductions in carbon emissions, improvements in air quality, and increases in skills. GDP remains important but has limitations; we support broadening metrics to include natural capital and human capital accounting. The Office for National Statistics is receiving £25 million to improve UK economic statistics, including personal wellbeing measures and estimates of human capital. We updated the Green Book rules to guide spending decisions with wider social, economic, and environmental benefits in mind. The Government agree that nature and biodiversity sustain economies, livelihoods, and wellbeing, aiming for a nature-positive economy through the Environment Act 2021 and £30 billion investment in green industrial revolution. Climate change efforts include reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 44% since 1990 and investing in green finance initiatives. Growth matters as it means more jobs, higher incomes, and improved standards of living for struggling families. The Government's approach gives the best chance to meet climate goals while maximizing wellbeing.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.