Census Day on 21st March will help plan services and secure funding for South Shropshire, says local MP Philip Dunne.
The Census national survey is undertaken every 10 years, organised by the independent Office for National Statistics. Households are receiving a letter in the post now, which explains how to take part. The letter will contain a household access code, which you should use to complete the census online. You can also request a paper version if you prefer.
Information from the census helps plan and fund public services, including transport, education and healthcare. Charities and voluntary organisations often use it as evidence to get funding. It also helps businesses to understand customers and, for example, decide where to locate their premises. You must complete the census questionnaire by law or you could be fined up to £1,000. The census should take around 10 minutes per person to complete.
Mr Dunne said: “It is vital people take part in the Census, as this snapshot will be used to inform decisions around planning and delivering services for South Shropshire into the future.
As a former Defence Minister, I am particularly pleased to see a new question in the census gauging the number of people with previous military service in the UK. Veterans make a huge contribution to UK life, but they can also require more complex health and mental health services, so it is important we have as much information as possible to plan these services.”
Census 2021 will ask people aged 16 years and over questions on three new topics. These are:
- previous service in the UK Armed Forces
- gender identity
- sexual orientation
The sexual orientation and gender identity questions are also voluntary, like the religion question. As with all questions about identity, people can answer in the way that best represents them by using the response options, including write-in options, provided.
If you need help completing the Census, there will also be a dedicated contact centre offering help through phone, webchat, email, social media or text message. You can call the contact centre free on 0800 141 2021.