Help tomorrow take shape - Census 2011
13 October 2010
The Office for
National Statistics (ONS) carries out a census to find out more
about the people who live in England and Wales and about the
make-up of local neighbourhoods.
The next census will take place on 27 March
2011. ONS will be sending out questionnaires for around 25 million
households to complete, asking about work, health, national
identity, citizenship, ethnic background, education, second homes,
language, marital status and so on. The answers will be turned into
statistics used to build a picture of today’s society.
Why should this matter to you?
Like all local authorities in England and
Wales, Knowsley Council relies on census population statistics to
identify local needs for public services. Central government
funding for these is directly related to how many and what kind of
people the census shows live in our area. So even if the census
were to end up just a few households short, it could make a very
real difference to people’s lives. The census needs to include
everyone, everywhere – and that’s why everyone has to take
part.
What will you need to do?
Simple. When the time comes, just answer a few
questions about yourself and the people that share your household
with you on census day, 27 March 2011.
Whatever you tell the census will be in
strictest confidence and will only be used to produce statistics.
ONS will not share your personal information with any other
government department or organisation.
Completion of the census is a legal
requirement. You can complete it on line or by post.
If you need help and advice, you will be able
to find everything you need online and on the census helpline from
4 March 2011.
The census needs everyone to take part in
helping tomorrow take shape – and this will be your chance to make
a difference.
For more information, visit http://www.census.gov.uk/