David Cameron insisted today that a government's takes can make people "feel better as well as worse" as he announced plans to introduce a wellbeing index from next year.Cameron stated that it was "high time" to recognise that GDP was an "incomplete way" of measuring the country's progress as he used a speech to confirm that the government is asking the Office for National Statistics to devise ways of measuring wellbeing in addition to tracking economic growth.Cameron rejected claim that the initiative is a "bit woolly and impractical", as he insisted that finding out what can help people live "the good life" and acting on it is the "serious business of government".
The ONS will devise measures of progress and will lead a public debate about what matters most to people, he said.The results gathered would help the Country re-evaluate, and give an outline of how life is improving in the country.
"From April next year we will start measuring our progress as a country not just by how our economy is growing, but by how our lives are improving, not just by our standard of living, but by our quality of life," said Cameron.
He challenged suggestions that government can't affect how people feel, "or do very much to improve wellbeing" and said the measure being set out today would open a national debate about "how together we can build a better life".
The prime minister delivered his speech as public disapproval at government heightens, with student  protests over tuition fees and unions warning of mass action against spending cuts."Of course you can't legislate for fulfilment or satisfaction, but I do believe government has the power to improve wellbeing," said the prime minister.He stressed that a focus on wellbeing would not mean economic growth would be sidelined, as he insisted that "growth is the essential foundation of all our aspirations".