FOI Ref: FOI 2021/3258
You asked
I understand that the Census 2021 data will be released in 2022, but I would like to request raw data from the Census 2021 for all the ethnic groups as listed in List of ethnic groups - GOV.UK (ethnicity-facts-figures.service.gov.uk) please.
If possible, I would also like to request the Census 2021 data of the total percentage of the population of England and Wales that is of other than white ethnicity.
We said
Thank you for your request.
Unfortunately, ONS is unable to provide you with raw Census 2021 data as it is considered personal information. Section 39 of the Statistics and Registration Service Act 2007 (SRSA) renders it an offence to disclose information held by the Statistics Board for statistical purposes that would identify an individual or a body corporate. As we are prohibited by law from publishing statistics in which individuals can be identified, we find that Section 44 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) applies. Section 44 is an absolute exemption and no consideration of the public interest test needs to be applied.
Census statistics go through various processes prior to release to ensure the anonymity of individuals is preserved.
Results from the Census 2021, including the ability to build your own tables from Census data will be released later in 2022. Consequently, the release of this information in its current state would undermine the purpose of this research, which includes accurately representing the response-rate of the Census.
As such, this information is considered exempt under Section 22(1) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, whereby information is exempt from release if there is a view to publish the information in the future. As a central government department and producer of official statistics, we need to have the freedom to be able to determine our own publication timetables. This is to allow us to deal with the necessary preparation, administration, and context of publications. It would be unreasonable to consider disclosure when to do so would undermine our functions.
This exemption is subject to a public interest test. We recognise the desirability of information being freely available and this is considered by ONS when publication schedules are set in accordance with the Code of Practice for Statistics. The need for timely data must be balanced against the practicalities of applying statistical skill and judgement to produce the high quality, assured data needed to inform decision-making. If this balance is incorrectly applied, then we run the risk of decisions being based on inaccurate data which is arguably not in the public interest.
This will have an impact on public trust in official statistics in a time when accuracy of official statistics is more important to the public than ever before.