Residents encouraged to complete Census 2021 as soon as possible

Shropshire residents who have not yet completed the Census are being encouraged to do so as soon as possible.

Sunday 21 March 2021 marked the day that millions of people across England and Wales completed key questions about themselves and their households to ensure local services in every community are informed by the best information possible.

However, for those who have not yet submitted their online or paper questionnaires, or have maybe misplaced their invitation letter, there is lots of help available.

Help to complete your form

There is plenty of help available. The census support centre (freephone 0800 141 2021 in England and 0800 169 2021 in Wales) is available if people can’t find the help they need online. 

Census support from Shropshire Libraries 

Shropshire Libraries have teamed up with the Good Things Foundation to offer local support for people needing help filling in the Census 2021 form in Shropshire.

Support is available Mondays to Fridays 10am to 4pm and Saturdays 10am to 1pm, until Tuesday 4 May 2021.

To book, please complete the Census 2021 support form and a member of staff will get back to you. Alternatively, you can email censussupport@shropshire.gov.uk, or contact your local library for more information about this support.

• Shrewsbury Library – 01743 255308
• Oswestry Library – 01743 250351 
• Ludlow Library – 01743 250510
• Bridgnorth Library – 01746 763358 
• Whitchurch Library – 01948 662238 
• Market Drayton Library – 01630 652105 

Census 2021 completion via laptop

Take part and help make a difference to your local community

Understanding the needs of the nation helps everyone from the Government to local organisations, such as councils and health trusts/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 results from the census will shed light on the needs of different groups and communities, and the inequalities people are experiencing, ensuring the big decisions facing the country following the pandemic and EU exit are based on the best information possible, through the anonymised answers provided.

Iain Bell, Office for National Statistics deputy national statistician, said:

“The information you provide needs to be about who usually lives in your household on Census Day, which was Sunday 21 March; however, if you’ve haven’t completed it yet, please do so – there’s still time to.

“Every household should have received their letter inviting them to take part and we’ve had a great response so far. If you haven’t, or you have misplaced your letter, you can head online to www.census.gov.uk and request a new unique access code.

“There is plenty of help available, including face-to-face assistance at local Census Support Centres.

“Field officers will soon start calling at households who have not completed their census. They will follow social distancing and COVID-19-secure guidelines, supporting people to take part.

“They will be equipped with PPE and will never need to enter anyone’s home.

They’ll be operating much like a postal or food delivery visit.”

Andy Begley, Shropshire Council’s chief executive, added:-

“I’d like to say a huge thanks to everyone in Shropshire who has taken part in the Census 2021.

“It’s so important that we have accurate data about our county’s population as it affects the amount of money our council receives from central government.

“For those who haven’t yet completed the Census form, I strongly encourage you do to so as soon as possible. If you need help please contact us we have a dedicated team of advisors to support you.”

The ONS will never share personal details and no-one, including Government bodies, will be able to identify you in census statistics. Personal census records will be kept secure for 100 years, and only then can future generations view it.

If people do not complete their census, they may have to pay a fine of up to £1,000.

For more information, including how to find a local census support centre, please visit www.census.gov.uk.

About Census 2021

Everyone benefits from the census. It informs decisions nationally and locally on vital services, and issues like diversity. Ultimately it ensures millions of pounds are invested in emergency services, mental health care, school places, hospital beds, houses, roads, GPs and dentists services based on the information people give. We’ve made it easier for people to complete the census online on any device, with help and paper questionnaires for those that need them.