Working together to deliver a successful Census 2021
The Office for National Statistics – which runs Census 2021 – is working with Shropshire Council to deliver a successful Census and help local services to fully meet future needs.
Understanding the needs of the nation helps everyone from the Government to local organisations, such as councils and health trust/organisations, plan and fund public services across England and Wales. Census outputs inform where public funding is spent on services like transport, education and health – on cycle routes, schools and dental surgeries.
The Census, taking place on Sunday 21 March 2021, will shed light on the needs of different groups and communities, and the inequalities people are experiencing, ensuring the big decisions facing the country during the coronavirus pandemic and following the EU exit are based on the best information possible.
Roger Belham, Census Engagement Manager Shropshire, Office for National Statistics, said:-
“The past few months has shown me what a wonderful community spirit there is in Shropshire. There are so many people and organisations that have come together to in order make the Census as successful as possible. The Census is the best way that we can gather the information that will allow us to plan for the future. Wherever you live in Shropshire there is someone that will provide help to complete the Census and allow us to build a picture of how people live.”
Claire Porter, Shropshire Council’s head of legal and democratic services, said:-
“The Census 2021 is an extremely important national event. Information gathered enables us, as a council, to learn valuable local information about the people and communities we serve.
“Please make sure that you respond so that we can best plan our services for the future.”
Households will begin receiving letters with online codes in March 2021 explaining how they can complete their online Census. People can also request a paper questionnaire if they’d prefer to complete the Census that way. In areas where lower online completion is expected, around 10% of households will receive a traditional paper form through the post.
There is plenty of help available, with people also able to complete the Census over the phone with assistance from trained staff via the ONS’ free phone contact centre. The ONS also aims to provide in-person support to complete the Census online through Census Support Centres where it is safe to do so.
Census 2021
The main Census field operation will begin only after Census Day, contacting those who have not responded. Field staff will never need to enter people’s houses; they will always be socially distanced, wear PPE and work in line with all Government guidance. They will be operating in the same way as a postal or food delivery visit.
Census 2021 will include questions about your sex, age, work, health, education, household size and ethnicity. And, for the first time, there will be a question asking people whether they have served in the Armed Forces, as well as voluntary questions for those aged 16 and over on sexual orientation and gender identity.
Results will be available in 12 months, although personal records will be locked away for 100 years, kept safe for future generations.
For more information and advice on how to answer the questions, visit census.gov.uk.
