Ethnicity question 2021 Census

FOI REF: FOI/2023/4977

You asked

1) How many people identified as British Asian in Wales in the 2021 census? Please provide a breakdown by local authority.

2) How many people identified as Welsh Asian in the 2021 census?

3) How many people identified as Black Welsh in the 2021 census? Please provide a breakdown by local authority.

4) How many BAME people can speak Welsh according to the 2021 census? Please provide a breakdown by local authority.

We said

Thank you for your request.

Unfortunately, we do not hold data showing how many people identified as British Asian as opposed to Welsh Asian in Census 2021 (Qs 1 and 2).

The question asked was "What is your ethnic group? C: Asian, Asian Welsh or Asian British". 5 tick-box options were then provided (Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Chinese or any other Asian background) for respondents to fill in.

Owing to the way in which the data were collected, we are unable to distinguish those who identify as 'Asian Welsh' from those who identify as 'Asian British'.

For the same reason, we also do not hold data showing how many people identify as Black British as opposed to Black Welsh (Q3). Please see the attachment named 'Ethnicity_question_2021_Census.pdf' for further context.

Ethnic Group data for all Local Authorities in Wales is available via the following link: Census 2021: Ethnic group.

Statistics on the number of BAME people that can speak Welsh will be published in the future. Multivariate data, which combines variables in a single dataset, such as ethnic group by Welsh language, will be available during phase two of the Census 2021 outputs release schedule. Please see the release calendar entry for more information: Data combining multiple variables, England and Wales: Census 2021.

As such, this information is exempt under Section 22(1) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA), 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.

If you have any queries regarding the Census data provided in this response, please contact Census Customer Services via the following email address: census.customerservices@ons.gov.uk.