FOI reference: FOI-2025-3195
You asked
I am writing to request information using the Freedom of Information Act 2000 on some statistics on write-in responses to the religion and national identity questions that were not reported from the results of the 2021 Census.
I am requesting information on the number of people in England and Wales that recorded their religion in the 2021 Census as:
- “Jedi” or “Jedi Knight”,
- “Climate Concerned”,
- “Football”
In addition, I am requesting information on the number of people in England and Wales that recorded their national identity in the 2021 Census as “European”.
If it is possible, I request this information according to the following level of granularity:
- Age (Years Old as an Integer)
- Lower Tier Local Authority (Districts, Unitary Authorities, London Boroughs and Metropolitan Boroughs)
We said
Thank you for your Freedom of Information request.
In relation to the religion question from the 2021 Census, please note that responses such as “Climate Concerned” and “Football” are not classified as religious affiliations in our final database. These entries are grouped under the category ‘No religion’. Therefore, we do not hold statistical information showing this data.
To access data on write-in responses such as “Jedi,” a bespoke table can be commissioned. There is currently no waiting list for this service, and work can commence upon receipt of a completed order form. The form, along with details of applicable charges, is available on our website. Please be aware that any commissioned table must undergo our rigorous statistical disclosure control process to ensure the protection of personal information. Further details on this process can be found on our website.
Regarding your request for data on national identity by single year of age, this information is currently published at regional level and above. You can access the relevant dataset via the following link: Age and National Identity (Detailed). This dataset was generated using the custom dataset tool available on the ONS website.
To access this data at lower tier local authority level, you would need to commission a table via the commission table process. Please note, the extent to which this data will be accessible will be subject to disclosure controls. Please note that a separate form is required for each dataset.
If you would like to request a bespoke commissioned table mentioned in this response, please contact censuscustomerservices@ons.gov.uk to discuss your enquiry further. As this information is reasonably accessible via another route, even if only accessible on payment, Section 21(2)(a) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) applies.