Census 2021

Census 2021 is not over 

Even if you've missed Census Day there is still time to complete your census! Every household is required by law to complete the census and even though Census Day – 21 March 2021 – has been and gone, it is not too late to complete a questionnaire. We have had a great response to Census 2021 so far, but everyone needs to respond as soon as possible to avoid a fine.

Students must be counted

Students are vitally important and do count! All students need to be included in the census, and they should complete a form for their usual term-time address even if they weren’t there on census day. If they’re currently living at their home address, they will need to be included in the census for that household too. If you’re an international student and not currently in England or Wales, but would normally be, we also want to count you. All universities and colleges have details of how to get a census form. Or go to census.gov.uk and request an access code.

You might need to complete a form for more than one address

Everyone needs to complete a return at their usual address, even if they weren’t there on Census Day, as local services will still be required at both addresses. If the pandemic has changed where you are currently living, for example if you moved out of a city to a rural or holiday home prior to lockdown restrictions, or you haven’t visited your city commuter flat because of lockdown, you still need to complete a census form at both addresses. Visit census.gov.uk to request an access code for your second address.

Empty houses need to be counted too

It is important that we have a census return for all houses, even if nobody usually lives there – for example holiday homes and caravans - because it’s a census of housing as well as a census of population.  Local councils need to know about all houses in their area so they can plan services and work out how many new houses need to be built.  Visit census.gov.uk to request an access code if you own an empty house, flat or caravan.

I’m not a British citizen, should I be counted?

Yes. Everyone staying in England and Wales on Census Day, March 21, has to be counted.

Your information will never be shared

Personal census data is kept under lock and key for 100 years. No individual or their responses can be identified in the statistics we publish. In fact, your personal information can't be seen by anyone who makes decisions about you. It cannot be used by government to influence benefit claims, a residency application, immigration status or taxes, or by landlords or any other private organisation.

Why should I complete the census - it doesn’t help me?

The census benefits us all by underpinning all the services every single one of us relies on. It provides information on our living arrangements, health, education and the jobs we do and the information from it will help inform policy at a local and national level for years to come.  From school places to the planning of bike lanes – census information is even used when deciding where to build new supermarkets, what food to put on the shelves and how many parent and toddler spaces to put in the car park.

What personal information will census officers ask for?

A field officer will only ask for a householder’s name and phone number if they request a new online code. They will also ask for the householder’s name if they request a paper questionnaire.

However, they will never ask to see personal documents like passports or birth certificates. Field officers will never ask for payment and they will not enter your home.

Census officers will never fine you on the doorstep

Do not be scammed. Census field officers will never ask for a payment on the doorstep. The role of field officers is to give help and encouragement to those who have not yet filled in their census questionnaire online or on paper after Census Day and direct them to the support services they need. They will be operating in the same way as a postal or food delivery visit. They also carry ID to show they are genuinely working on the census.

We will continue to support people to respond to the census but if a household refuses to fill out a questionnaire we will ultimately proceed to an interview under caution, which may be followed by a court summons, a fine of up to £1,000 and a criminal record.

You will never be asked to pay a fine online for making a mistake on your questionnaire

Do not be scammed. For a fine to be imposed your case must go to court for non-completion of the census. You will never be issued with a fine by text message, on social media or by email. Our Cyber Intelligence team is scouring the web for phishing sites and taking them down. If you find a site that looks suspicious or receive text messages with links to sites asking for money related to the census, do not engage with them. Report them to the Census 2021 Contact Centre by ringing 0800 141 2021 in England and 0800 169 2021 in Wales.

Guidance

You can request a paper census questionnaire on the Census 2021 website.

Guidance and translation support is available in a number of languages for non-English speakers. If you can’t find your language, or need more help, please call ONS’ free language helpline on 0800 587 2021.

If you would like to request a paper form, call 0800 876 6276.

Help is available in a number of accessible formats.

You can access help from the ONS via phone, webchat, email, text message or social media. The national telephone helpline number is 0800 141 2021 and this will be open from 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday, 8am to 1pm on Saturdays, and 8am to 8pm on Census weekend (20-21st March). Further details can be found on Census 2021 - Contact us.

Derby’s local Census support centre is based at Central Education & Training, 1 Charnwood St, Derby, DE1 2GX. It is open until Tuesday 4th May. The telephone number is 01332 290529 and they are now accepting face to face appointments, no appointment is necessary.

More information

Find out more about what the census is and how to take part at the Census 2021 website