The Importance of the 2011 Census

Censusbriefingpack
1 Censusbriefingpack
This briefing pack is produced by Leeds City Council in February 2011
For more information contact Jacky Pruckner on 0113 247 6394
The next census takes place communities, covering issues
The number of people included in the census significantly
on 27 March. such as health, housing,
affects the amount of funding given to each local area.
The Office for National employment, skills levels and
transport. The Government allocates millions of pounds to local
Statistics (ONS) is responsible
and health authorities on the basis of the census which is
for conducting the census . It provides the basis
why we need to make sure that everyone is counted and
In March they will be for central and local
Leeds gets it’s fair share of funding.
sending out questionnaires government, health
authorities and many other In 2001 only 91% of households in Leeds completed
for around 25 million
organisations to target the Census. This is slightly below the national average. The
households in England and
their resources and to ONS has identified a number of groups and communities
Wales to complete.
plan housing, education, that may be harder to reach.
employment, health,
Why is the census important?
The census is completed
transport and other services
for years to come.
The Census is Non-English speakers
Traveller, Gypsy and Roma /
Black Caribbean
community

on 27 March
every ten years and is the Romani groups
largest piece of social research
Adults aged 80+
undertaken in the country. Long and Short Term Indian community
HANDY Migrants
It tells us how many people People with physical /
live where and provides LINK Asylum seekers
sensory impairments
valuable information The website of the Office Bangladeshi community
for National Statistics has Pakistani community
on the make-up of local Illegal immigrants
a huge amount of census Students
information Black African community
Homeless people / rough Chinese community
www.census.gov.uk
sleepers Young people

Got a story? Email communications@leeds.gov.uk

Completing ACCESSIBILITY

the census
The census website is a great source

hearing, language, literacy and
other difficulties
The 2011 Census will be in a box.
OTHER
conducted differently from Help and support is
LANGUAGES
all previous censuses, when available from online help There is a lot of material
ONS staff delivered and at www.census.gov.uk and available in a variety of
collected the forms. from 4 March there will be languages
This time, 95% of a helpline for people to http://2011.census.gov.uk/
questionnaires will be call, and guides available Publicity-materials
delivered by Royal Mail and in other languages, Braille,
households can then choose audio tape and other formats
to return their completed (telephone: 0300 02 01 101).
forms in a pre-paid envelope Completing the census is Personal census information is never shared with any
or to complete the census a legal requirement: the few other government department, nationally, regionally or
online. people who don’t complete locally.
Completing the their census questionnaire The information that is collected is kept confidential by
census questionnaire is may be prosecuted for ONS and is protected by law. It is only used to provide
straightforward – most breaking the law, could face aggregate statistics. The census is exempt from requests
questions can be answered a criminal record and may be for information under the Freedom of Information Act.
simply by ticking, or clicking, fined up to £1,000.

Good contacts
There are two ONS Area Managers for Leeds.
Chris Bennett: ONS Area Manager (Leeds North)
D106@census.gov.uk
07801 331320

Elaine Thornton: ONS Area Manager (Leeds South)
D107@census.gov.uk
07801331322

The Council has nominated a liaison officer to work with them to raise awareness and to
ensure that the 2011 Census is as comprehensive and inclusive as possible.
Jacky Pruckner: Council Assistant Census Liaison Manager
jacky.pruckner@leeds.gov.uk
0113 2476394


Get the GET YOUR POSTERS
HERE

word out
The census website has a great store of posters
to download and display
http://2011.census.gov.uk/Partners/Local-authorities/Comms-teams/
Communications-toolkit/The-tools/Advertising-materials
Alternatively, click this item

Easy ways to good promotion
Staffnews
1 Staffnews

Key legal points
February February
2011

The following are just some
2011

News
Monthly Monthly
Issue 24 Issue 24

The census is on 27 March. For Leeds, like other cities, it can have an...
ideas of ways in which
INCREDIBLE
you might be able to help
promote the census.
IMPACT
THE next census is on 27 March
– it will have a big impact on
This means decisions, like who
in Leeds needs facilities in the
You can fill in the paper Help is at hand for those
For those involved in the relevant declarations of
confidentiality, etc
questionnaire and post

Census, here are some legal
Leeds City Council. future, are made with accurate, needing it. A home
it back with the pre- visit could also be
It is vital that any staff who live relevant details provided by the
paid envelope.
MORE arranged.

n Include articles about
in Leeds complete and return census.
the city could lose an estimated Alternatively, Your census
their census form. Money is also a factor. The £500,000
government allocates cash to local
per year for the next for the first NEXT MONTH a n s w e r s
The census – done every
councils and health authorities
10 years. time, you can All the news on the census are always
10 years throughout England So, not only do the census do it online at in the March edition confidential.
based on the census findings.

points to consider. n all questionnaires will
and Wales – tells us how many www.census.
The more local people who do yourselves... tell your family and gov.uk from 4 If you can't wait visit The 2011
people live where in Leeds.

the census in any
the census correctly, the more friends the importance to Leeds March. www.census.org.uk Census is run
It also tells us what types of money Leeds gets to benefit the of doing the census too. by the Office for
people they are – for example, local population. Either way, it National Statistics
It’s simple to complete your should take each
are they young, old, married or For every 1,000 people who census form. The questions are (ONS). Leeds City
single? person about 10 minutes Council is helping the ONS
do not complete the census, straightforward.

be tracked using the
to do. with the census locally.

newsletters that you n only ONS can deliver
produce and collect census ONS system prescribed
pack to any partner by law
n Display posters in your organisations that you questionnaires
building n anyone disclosing
think will be able to help n only staff appointed
n Incorporate information any personal census
by ONS to undertake information is liable to
about the census in any n Consider hosting a
the census can do this prosecution and up to
meetings that you attend completion event if this
n ONS staff will sign the 2 years in prison
n Distribute this briefing is appropriate

Frequently asked questions
1.What is the census? 3. Who organises it?
The census provides a high quality estimate of the In England and Wales the census is planned and carried out
population. by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
It is a count of all people and households in England and The Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA)
Wales and is carried out by the Office for National Statistics takes the census in Northern Ireland and the General Register
(ONS). Office for Scotland (GROS) takes the census in Scotland.
Everyone is asked the same questions on the same day in HISTORY All three take place on the same day to provide consistent
order to take a snapshot of the population at one point LESSON population statistics for the whole of the UK.
in time. The statistics describe the population at national,
regional and local levels. 4. How often does it take place?
The first census took place in 1801 after demographer
2. Why do we have a census? Censushistory Thomas Malthus told how population growth would soon
The information collected on the questionnaires is used to outstrip supplies of food and other resources, leading Britain
help government and local authorities plan the services into famine, disease and other disasters.
and resources people need, such as transport, housing, People quickly began to see the need for a census, Parliament
healthcare and education. passed the Census Act in 1800 and the first official census of
The amount of money your council has to spend on these England and Wales was taken on 10 March 1801.
important services is based on population statistics from the Since then we have taken a census every ten years – except in
census. That is why it is so important that everyone takes 1941 during World War II).
part.


6
5. Is the UK the only country that has a census?
Censusbriefingpack
9. How long will it take?
No. Some 200 countries worldwide carry out regular You will be able to answer most of the questions simply by
censuses. clicking or ticking a box.
The United Nations and European Union encourage all It should take around 10 minutes for each person (less for
countries to collect census-type information. children), plus an extra few minutes to answer the questions
about the household.
6. When is the next census?
10. By when should I return my completed questionnaire?
Census day will be on 27 March 2011.
You will be able to complete your 2011 Census questionnaire
ANY before, on or just after census day and submit or return it as
7. When will I get my 2011 Census questionnaire? CONCERNS? soon as you have finished.
Questionnaires will go out by post to all householders during What? When? Any delay could mean the organiser's* system will show you as
March 2011 ready for completion before, on or as soon as Why? How? a non-returning household, indicating the need for a visit from
possible after census day, 27 March. The My Census website one of the Office for National Statistics census representatives.
If you don’t receive one in the post, you will be able to call the section is a great store of *The organiser is the Office for National Statistics
census helpline and ask for one to be sent to you. information
http://2011.census. 11. What will happen if I’m not at home on 27 March
8. What will I have to do? gov.uk/My-census 2011?
You will need to complete the online version of your You should complete your questionnaire as soon as possible
questionnaire or fill in the paper questionnaire and return it after 27 March 2011.
by post in the pre-paid envelope provided. Or do it before you go away if you’ve already received your
questionnaire. If everyone in the household is away on
You should complete and return your questionnaire before,
census day you should complete your questionnaire as soon
on or as soon as possible after 27 March 2011: just make sure
as possible after your return. If the household is absent for
your answers refer to that date.
more than six months after census day, you do not need to
complete the questionnaire. Anyone away from home for up
to 12 months should still be included on your questionnaire.

7
12. Will I have to complete my questionnaire?
Censusbriefingpack
15. How will you protect the information I provide online?
Yes. Every householder must, by law, complete and return a The security of the 2011 Census website has been tested by
2011 Census questionnaire. independent experts.
A householder is the person who owns or rents the property They have checked that the site complies with industry
and is wholly or partly responsible for paying household bills. and government standards, protected from accidental or
deliberate interference or misuse, and that we have effective
13. What happens if I don’t complete my questionnaire? measures in place to protect the confidentiality of personal
data.
You could face prosecution, a hefty fine (up to £1000) and a
You will not be able to complete your online questionnaire
criminal record. NATIONAL until you enter the unique internet access code from your
CONTACTS paper questionnaire.
14. Will I be able to do it online? Don't forget as well as This will act as a password (key) to make sure the right
Yes. The 2011 Census will be the first time that you can Leeds's very own contacts,
you can also get in touch questionnaire is loaded. You will need to use your code every
complete your census questionnaire online.
with national organisers time you need to access your online questionnaire.
Your paper questionnaire will include an internet access code http://2011.census.gov.
to enable you to do this securely. uk/Contact-us 16. What should I do with my paper questionnaire after
This service will be available from 4 March 2011.
I’ve submitted my online questionnaire?
You may find online completion faster and more convenient.
You will be able to safely dispose of your paper questionnaire
For example, the online questionnaire will automatically skip once you’ve submitted it.
any questions that don’t apply to you and give you hints and
You should destroy and/or remove your name, address and
tips along the way. You won’t have to complete everything in
internet access code on the front page, and then dispose of
one go. You’ll be able to just save the answers you’ve given so
the rest of the questionnaire as you would any other personal
far and come back to it later.
document.
You will need your internet access code each time you log
into your online questionnaire, so don’t dispose of your
paper copy until you have finished and submitted your
questionnaire online.

8
17.What questions will I have to answer?
Censusbriefingpack
20.Who should I include?
The Office for National Statistics ask about work, health, Everyone living or staying in the household on census day
national identity, citizenship, ethnic background, education, must be included on your household questionnaire – even
second homes, language, religion, marital status and so on. babies.
All these things are important in capturing a true snapshot of You should also include any visitors staying with you
the population as it stands on census day. overnight on census day.
You must answer all the questions. Only the religion question
is voluntary. 21.What if I’m in halls, a residential home, a hotel or some
STUDENTS other communal establishment on census day?
18.What if I make a mistake? If you have lived, or intend to live, for more than six months
The Office for National Statistics will be providing many in a communal establishment, you will be given an individual
ways for you to get help if you have difficulty with any of the questionnaire to complete by a manager or another member
questions. http://2011.census.gov. of staff.
The 2011 Census online questionnaire will make it easy to uk/The-2011-Census- The 2011 Census is making special arrangements for
correct mistakes, and the paper questionnaire will explain
student-campaign universities and some types of communal establishments
how you should correct handwritten answers. such as prisons and military camps.
If you have any problems, you can check online help or
contact the census helpline. 22. What if I or someone else in the household has a
disability that will make it difficult to complete the
19.Will everyone in the household have to complete the questionnaire?
questionnaire? Ask a family member, friend or carer to help.
It will be the householder’s or joint householder’s The Office for National Statistics will be providing plenty of
responsibility to complete the questionnaire. help to enable as many people as possible to complete their
The householder is the person who owns or rents the questionnaire independently. These include a British Sign
accommodation and/or is responsible for paying household Language (BSL) video, audio, Braille guidance booklet guides
bills and expenses. and large print questionnaires.

23. Would I be able to get someone from the census to 26. How can I get help to complete my questionnaire?
come round and help me complete my questionnaire? Plenty of help will be available if you have any questions or
Yes. But before you do that, you should check the accessibility ACCESSIBLE difficulty completing the questionnaire.
guides, online completion and online help options first. CENSUS n Online help at www.census.gov.uk
If none of these is suitable, you should call the helpline to n Census helpline in over 50 languages
arrange a convenient time to visit.
n Text Relay (for people with hearing impairment)
n Wide range of tools and other materials to assist
24. What if a relative who usually lives with me is in completion available online or via the census helpline
hospital on census day? Could a nurse or carer do the
n Video and audio guides at www.census.gov.uk
questionnaire for them?
uk/The-accessible- With the exception of accessible formats (available from
If your relative has been in hospital for six months or more, census December 2010), all help services will be available from 4
they will be given an individual questionnaire to complete by
March 2011.
someone in the hospital, such as a manager. If they are only
temporarily in hospital (and will have been there for less than
six months) you should include them on your household 27. What will happen to my information?
questionnaire. If needed, another member of the family, Your answers will be turned into statistics about the
a friend, or member of hospital staff could complete the community and groups within it.
questionnaire on their behalf. Personal census information is kept confidential for 100
years and is not shared with anyone else, including any other
25. What if I don’t speak English?
Accuracy government bodies or departments.
If English is not your main language you will be able to:
Quality and accuracy is of
paramount importance to
n Download or request a translation booklet containing the organisers, the ONS
guidance and a sample questionnaire in any of more
than 50 languages through online help at
http://2011.census.gov.uk/
www.census.gov.uk. Online help is available from 4 March
Quality-and-coverage-
surveys
n Request a translation booklet or seek further help and
advice through the census helpline, which opens 4 March.

The Importance of the 2011 Census

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