Nine out of ten households have completed Census 2021

There has been a fantastic response to Census 2021. Nine out of ten households across England and Wales have completed their questionnaire – but everyone must take part. Every household is required by law to complete the census. Even though Census Day – 21 March 2021 – has been and gone, it is not too late to fill out your form and avoid a fine.

Most people have already completed their census online to make sure public services like GP surgeries, hospital beds, school places and public transport, are based on the most up to date information.

Iain Bell, the deputy national statistician at the Office for National Statistics in charge of the census, urged everyone to look out for reminder letters and fill out their census now.

“We’ve had an amazing response to the census so far,” Iain said. “I’d like to thank everyone who has helped us exceed all expectations. But we want to make sure everyone counts and we won’t rest until every household has responded. Field officers are out and about knocking on doors where records show we have had no response. If you don’t want to get a visit, please complete your census now. Your response is vital. The information you give means all the services we rely on, like school places and emergency services, are planned on accurate information. It is even used to plan where to build new supermarkets, what food to put on the shelves and how many parent and toddler spaces to put in the car park.”

The census questionnaire is simple, straightforward, and safe to complete online. It only takes 5-10 minutes per person. If you haven’t completed yours yet, you will be visited by census field officers. The role of field officers is to give help and encouragement to those who have not yet filled in their census questionnaire online or on paper and direct them to the support services they need. Field staff will never need to enter people’s houses; they will always be socially distanced, be equipped with PPE and work in line with all government guidance. They will be operating in the same way as a postal or food delivery visit. They also carry ID to show they are genuinely working on the census.

All households were sent a letter in the post in early March with instructions for taking part. If you have lost the letter or have a second address – including a caravan – you have not visited, go to www.census.gov.uk to request an online completion code for your address via SMS text message. If you know someone who doesn’t have the skills or confidence to do the census online, help is at hand. We have local census support centres across England and Wales, offering phone and face to face support – see below for details. You can also call our freephone contact centre. Call 0800 141 2021 for help or to order a paper questionnaire.

You can book an appointment with a local support centre if you need help. Your South Leeds Census Support Centres are:

Dewsbury Road Community Hub and Library
190 Dewsbury Road
Leeds
LS11 6PF
0113 378 5005

Leeds Central Library
Municipal Buildings
Calverly Street
Leeds
LS1 3AB
0113 378 5005

The Works Recruitment
20 Canal Wharf
Holbeck
Leeds
LS11 5PS
0800 037 1069

Groundwork Learning Centre
Merlyn-Rees Avenue
Morley
Leeds
West Yorkshire
LS27 9SL
0113 468 0966

Armley Community Hub and Library
2 Stocks Hill
Armley
Leeds
LS12 1UQ
0113 378 5005

Swarthmore Education Centre
2-7 Woodhouse Square
Leeds
LS3 1AD
0113 243 2210

 

This post was written by Scott Anthony Martin

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