27 March: Census Day 2011 - information for staff

03 March 2011

Did you know that it’s Census Day on 27 March? Did you also know that if you fail to complete your census form that you could be liable for a £1,000 fine?

Paper copies of the 2011 Census form will be posted to your home during March asking for information about your household and the people living or staying overnight in your household during that day.

The Census is important as it gives the Government and local authorities information that they can use to plan the kind of services that people in different communities across the country really need. The information you provide is strictly confidential and by law cannot be shared, not even with other Government departments.

But the Census isn’t just about gathering statistics; it’s about finding out how we live in the UK today, it’s about you, your family, your friends, your life. So when you open your 2011 Census questionnaire and settle down to complete it, think what it could mean to you.

You have two ways of completing the form:

1. Online from 4 March until 6 May 

Your paper questionnaire has a code on the front. This is your key to unlock your online questionnaire. Just go to www.census.gov.uk, click ‘Start here’ and follow the on-screen instructions. When you’ve finished, click ‘Submit’ to send your information.

2. On paper

If you don’t have access to the internet or prefer not to do it online, you can fill in your answers by hand, sign the declaration on the front and post the questionnaire back in the pre-paid envelope provided.

Questions? Go to www.census.gov.uk for the latest information.