This article has been brought to you by Slough Borough Council's Strategic Programme Management Office Manager for Strategy and Performance Clare Priest. This is for the attention of all schools.
Census 2021 will be the first digital-first survey. The 220-year-old survey of all household information will have to be completed on 21 March, providing a detailed snapshot of UK society on a single day. With its roots dating back to the Doomsday Books in 1086 and The Hundred Rolls instigated by King Edward I in 1279, the modern census was first completed in 1801.
The estimate survey is that 75 per cent of all households in England and Wales will submit information online through an electronic questionnaire, making it a first. Paper forms will still be available for those who want them.
The questions and how the form has been completed have evolved every 10 years as priorities and the information sought change. The data collected helps central and local government, health authorities, and many other voluntary and charitable organisations to target their resources more effectively and to plan services such as housing, education, health and transport.
Businesses use the information to evaluate whether a new store would be used in a local community, whereas voluntary organisations can rely on census information to assist their communities and funding. Academics use the information in research and it has proved invaluable for those researching family history.
The census asks questions about individuals, their household, homes, employment, and religious beliefs. This year how homes are heated and sexuality will be new questions asked. All information is anonymised and the actual census records are kept secure for 100 years. The information will be statistically analysed and the results published two years later.
The census is overseen by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), and is an independent, non-ministerial agency that reports directly to Parliament. It has a strict security regime that follows government standards. This includes physical and IT security measures to protect your information, covering people, processes and technology. The statistics will not show who revealed the information.
How to fill in the Census?
Every household will be sent a letter with a unique code to be inputted into the census 2021 website on Sunday 21 March. This is a compulsory survey to be completed by people living in the country on that day. If a printed version is required it can be requested. Residents who do not fill in the questionnaire will be followed up by the ONS reminding them of their responsibility and they could be prosecuted for not taking part.
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