You asked
1. I am questioning the validity of the census information as well as the value and purpose during these times.
2. Under the freedom of information, I would be most grateful if you could provide me with a list of all the services, and examples of how the census information has been used to plan those services. At a time when people are most likely to be no longer living in their current home either because they have lost their job, home or both It just seems to me to be an utter waste of tax payer's money planning services based on inaccurate.
We said
Thank you for your request.
1. You ask about how we are ensuring that everyone is able to take part in Census 2021 and the value of the data collected by the census in the context of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. At the Office for National Statistics (ONS), we are very aware of the exceptional circumstances that many families find themselves because of the pandemic; however, the census has come at a critical point. Outputs from Census 2021 will be fundamental to our understanding of the impact coronavirus has had on different communities and groups, and on how we all live. Census data have already been crucial in our understanding of mortality for different groups during the pandemic, for example to understand deaths by ethnicity, religion and disability status. With fresh data from 2021, we will be able to update the analysis we have already done and use it alongside new data sources to give us the richest data we have ever had. Census 2021 will not only provide a fresh picture of the population and our health - it will also shed light on social and economic changes to our lives. It will provide us with new information that we will be able to use for years to come. This information will inform decisions on public services, including hospitals, schools, universities, and job centres, to meet the needs of our changing society.
Prior to the census, the ONS reviewed the questions and responses to see which would be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. In general, data users wished the census to continue to collect data as of Census Day, as a snapshot in time. The ONS also developed, tested and deployed additional guidance to support respondents in answering Census 2021 questions where the pandemic has affected how people might answer questions. This work has been published on our website.
The quality of census outputs relies on optimising response rates, which is at the heart of our design and collection operation, and we want everyone in England and Wales to take part in Census 2021 to make sure we have the best possible estimates. Although Census 2021 has been designed to be a digital-first census and we have been encouraging people to complete online where possible, the ONS has been making sure that those who do not have internet access, or would prefer to answer on paper, are aware of the census and how they are able to take part. A comprehensive range of support for those who are not able to, or would prefer not to, complete the census online has been made available. This includes support via email, social media, text messaging and webchat, language support, and the capacity for people to complete the census over the phone. Following Census Day, field officers visited households that had not responded to the census to give help and encouragement to complete a questionnaire, including providing paper questionnaires where needed.
The ONS has published an Equality Impact Assessment for the 2021 Census as part of this process. The assessment outlines our commitment that "Paper forms will be available to any who need or want one" and demonstrates our due regard to ensuring that Census 2021 would not, directly or indirectly discriminate against people based on protected characteristics.
The ONS is confident that Census 2021 will provide robust estimates and we have recently issued a press notice highlighting that the response to Census 2021 has exceeded our expectations, with 97 per cent of households across England and Wales responding so far.
2. The information the census provides on the population, their characteristics, education, religion, ethnicity, working life and health gives decision-makers in national and local government, community groups, charities and business the opportunity to better serve communities and individuals in the United Kingdom. It enables a wide range of services and future planning to be supported. It is not possible for the ONS to hold information on all service planning across government, and public and private sectors and therefore consider this as information not held.
However, you may be interested in these documents which relate to this information:
The ONS webpage on the 2011 Census benefits gives examples of organisations that have used 2011 Census data in their businesses. It includes case studies, factsheets and other information on how to get the best from Census data.
Chapter 9 of the Government white paper: Help Shape Our Future: The 2021 Census of Population and Housing in England and Wales, which sets out the costs and benefits of the 2021 Census.
Documents relating to our 2015 public consultation "The 2021 Census - Initial view on content for England and Wales". This consultation was run to determine user requirements for data and to ensure that the census stays relevant and credible. Responses to the consultation, including many on how organisations and individuals use census data, are included on this page, alongside the resulting ONS report published in May 2016.