FOI REF: FOI/2022/4616
You asked
I am hoping to find data for the 2021 Census ideally for population at a Postcode Area level, by age and gender. I have the dataset from the 2011 census(found from this FOI here https://www.ons.gov.uk/aboutus/transparencyandgovernance/freedomofinformationfoi/ukpopulationbypostcode) where I was able to use the NOMIS data and filter for postcode area, age, and gender - and was wondering if this data was available for the 2021 census?
We said
Thank you for your request.
2021 Census data for Postcode Areas is not available yet. However, following consultation with data users, we confirmed that we plan to continue using Output Areas (OAs) as the main geographical base for Census 2021 outputs. We will make the following administrative, electoral, health and postcode geographies available by aggregating OAs, on a best-fit basis:
counties
local authorities and unitary authorities
local health boards in Wales
Locations, the successor to clinical commissioning groups in England
parishes or Welsh communities
postcode districts, sectors and areas
UK Parliamentary constituencies
wards
This best-fit methodology is described in the Geography Policy for the Government Statistical Service.
As soon as it is practical, we plan to provide these datasets for other geographies, such as postcode areas or sectors, using the OA best-fit approach mentioned above.
We expect these datasets will be part of the 'Final release of Census 2021 outputs' milestone due for completion in Spring 2023, although please note that the dates for these milestones are based on our current projections and might change as we progress.
Census 2021 milestones - Office for National Statistics (ons.gov.uk)
As such, the information you have requested 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. Furthermore, 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.
Should you wish to receive updates regarding the Census 2021 releases, you can subscribe to receive our GovDelivery online newsletter. You can subscribe to receive this by:
Clicking on this link to register for GovDelivery updates
Entering your email address in the field provided
Under the section titled 'Census', selecting the option to subscribe to '2021 Census outputs'
Pressing submit at the bottom of the page.
It is not necessary to raise a freedom of information request for published datasets. Our census.customerservices@ons.gov.uk will be happy to advise.