7 Mar 2011

2011 census forms sent out

Forms for the 2011 census are being sent out in England and Wales. The once-a-decade household survey includes questions on civil partnerships, second homes and recent migration for the first time.

A Royal Mail delivery van as 2011 Census forms are sent out to households in England and Wales (Reuters)

On the 2011 census form, people will be asked questions about who is in the household, as well as information about their occupations and ages. An optional question about religion is also included.

A campaign by fans of the Star Wars films during the last census in 2001 resulted in “Jedi Knight” gaining its own census code because enough people gave it as their faith on the form. A further 7,000 people gave their religion as “witch”.

The information given on the form must relate to who is in the household on 27 March 2011 which is the official census day. Forms must be returned as soon as possible after this date so the information can be collated by an estimated 35,000 staff.

The data will be used by bodies such as councils to plan their services as it will gauge, for example, the extent to which carers provide support to family members, friends, neighbours or others suffering from long-term health problems or problems related to old age. But there will be no questions on income, sexual orientation or nature of disability.

After 100 years, the information is to the public where it is invariably of great interest to genealogists tracing family trees.

Q. Does everyone have to complete a census return?
A. Yes. Every householder must, by law, complete and return a Census 2011 questionnaire. A householder is the person who owns or rents the property and is wholly or partly responsible for paying household bills.
Q. How long do I have to fill in the 2011 census form?
A. The form must be filled in before, on or just after census day (27 March) and submit or return it as soon as you have finished. The Office for National Statistics estimates it should only take 10 minutes to complete. Any delay could mean that the ONS' system will show you as a non-returning household, which means an official may have to come to your house to collect the information in person.
Q. What if no-one is at home on 27 March?
A. If everyone in the household is away on census day you should complete your questionnaire as soon as possible after your return. If the household is absent for more than six months after census day, you do not need to complete the questionnaire. BUT anyone away from home for up to 12 months should still be included on your questionnaire
Q. What happens if you do not complete and return the questionnaire?
A. Theoretically, you can be fined up to £1,000 however in 2001 when the last census was carried out, only 38 people were prosecuted.
Q. What will happen if whoever completes the form makes a mistake?
A. The ONS says the 2011 Census online questionnaire will make it easy to correct mistakes, and the paper questionnaire will explain how you should correct handwritten answers. If you have any problems, you can check online help or contact the census helpline.
The census return for Windsor Castle in 1881 featuring Queen Victoria and her family

Immigration

The census will include questions for the first time on civil partnerships, second homes and recent migration.

People who were born outside the UK will be asked when they most recently arrived in the country, with those who arrived in the past year asked how long they intend to stay. There will also be a question asking people if English is their main language and how well they can speak it.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) It also insisted the information it gathers will be confidential for 100 years and not shared with other agencies such as the police or tax authorities.

Door knock

2011 Census director Glen Watson said: “People should look out for the purple and white envelope landing on their doormat in the next two weeks.
“Once people get their form they can, if they prefer, fill it in online by going to www.census.gov.uk.

“This will be quicker and it’s better for us because we won’t need to scan the forms and decipher all that handwriting.

“Of course if people want, they can still do it by hand. Completing the census form promptly and sending it back to us means no one will have to knock on your door to remind you.”

Census history

The first census took place in 1801, prompted by fears that population growth would outstrip food supply and lead to shortages. It was then that the need for such a survey was seen. Parliament passed the census act in 1800 and one has been carried out once a decade almost continually.

The only year where a census was not taken was 1941 in the middle of World War II.

Although the first survey asked for very little information by current standards, more questions have been added over the years .