| answer text |
<p>Further to the answer to Question <a href="https://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Commons/2018-09-06/171303/"
target="_blank">171303</a>, the department continues to use a range of surveys and
data when formulating and evaluating its policies. Estimates of personal well-being
show that average life satisfaction, happiness and worthwhile ratings are high, and
all have increased year-on-year since 2015. Average anxiety is low and has decreased
since 2012.</p><p> </p><p>The department’s mission is to build a stronger, greener
future. This means preparing businesses for Brexit and the opportunities that lie
ahead, leading the world in tackling climate change, solving the Grand Challenges
facing our society and making the UK the best place to work and grow a business. We
are mindful of the impact these priorities have for people across the UK and all these
policies can have a positive impact on wellbeing.</p><p> </p><p>Almost nothing has
as great an impact on personal wellbeing as employment. The UK currently has high
employment rates and increased participation amongst historically under-represented
groups. The What Works Centre for Wellbeing has found that being in a job is good
for wellbeing, when measured by life satisfaction, but being in a good quality job
is even better. We are creating fairer, inclusive and flexible workplaces so everyone
has the chance to succeed as well as balance work and home life. We have made good
progress to implement the Good Work Plan in the past year, including passing a raft
of secondary legislation to boost workers’ rights and consulting on policies to enhance
flexibility whilst reducing opportunities for the deliberate misuse of flexibility
by employers.</p><p> </p><p>We are improving lives by tackling our Grand Challenges,
in the context of an ageing society, we need to ensure that people can live and work
well for longer. So far, we have announced £98 million of investment through the Healthy
Ageing Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund to stimulate well-designed innovations that
support people to enjoy active and independent lives for longer.</p><p> </p><p>This
summer we also committed to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions and end our
contribution to global warming by 2050, recognising the importance of our environment
to our wellbeing today and into the future. We will drive economic growth through
the race to cut carbon and accelerate climate action through strong global leadership.</p><p>
</p><p> </p><p> </p>
|
|
