News MBC working with ONS to deliver a successful Census 2021
Maidstone Borough Council (MBC) is working with the Office for National Statistics (ONS), which runs Census 2021 to deliver a successful survey and help local services to fully meet future needs.
Understanding the requirements of the nation helps everyone from central government to local organisations, such as councils and health authorities, plan and fund public services across England and Wales. Census outputs inform where public funding is spent on services such as transport, education, health, cycle routes, schools and dental surgeries.
The Census, which is due to take place on Sunday 21 March 2021, will shed light on the needs of different groups and communities, and the inequalities people are experiencing, ensuring the big decisions facing the country following the coronavirus pandemic and EU exit will be based on the best information possible.
MBC Leader, Cllr Martin Cox said:
“The information gathered from the Census will help Maidstone Borough Council understand more fully the way our residents are living and their needs moving forward. I would encourage everyone to take part on 21 March as the information gathered will give us the necessary knowledge of how we can help support our communities by providing infrastructure and services they need in the future.”
The 2021 Census will be accessible online. Households across Maidstone will begin receiving letters with a unique access code, allowing completion on computers, phones or tablets. (A paper questionnaire can be requested if preferred.)
The ONS will also provide help should anyone need it to enable people to complete the Census over the phone with assistance from trained staff. This assistance will be via a free-phone contact centre and aims to provide in-person support to complete the Census online.
The 2021 Census will include questions about sex, age, work, health, education, household size and ethnicity. For the first time, there will be a question asking about service in the armed forces, as well as voluntary questions for those over 16 years about sexual orientation and gender identity.
Linda Neusten, Census Engagement Manager Maidstone added:
"It is so important that everyone participates in the Census 2021. It has been ten years since the last one and there have been a lot of changes within our community. These changes need to be recorded, so the subsequent data can be used to inform the future planning of public services such as housing, health care and education. There will be a lot of help available locally in the form of Census Support Centres. telephone help lines, online chat via census.gov.uk website and a Covid-19 secure Field Team."
The Office for National Statistics is assuring all that personal records and details are protected by law and locked away for 100 years and kept safe for future generations.
Initial results of the Census will be available in Spring 2022.
For more information, please go to the government website: Census.gov.uk