Why you should complete Census 2021

Households across the Ashfield district will be asked to take part in Census 2021 on 21 March 2021.

The census is a once-in-a-decade survey that gives the Office for National Statistics the most accurate estimate of all the people and households in England and Wales.

Understanding the needs of the nation helps everyone from central government to organisations, such as councils and health authorities, plan and fund public services across England and Wales. Census outputs inform where billions of pounds of public funding is spent on services like transport, education and health – on cycle routes, schools and dental surgeries.

Information from the census is also important in helping lots of other people and organisations do their work.

Charities and voluntary organisations often use it as evidence to get funding. It helps businesses to understand their customers and, for example, decide where to open new shops. Plus, those doing research, like university students and people looking into their family history, use census data. It provides important information on population diversity, allowing organisations to know whether they are meeting their responsibilities and triggering action where necessary.

Census 2021 will be the first one run predominantly online, with households receiving a letter with a unique access code, allowing them to complete the questionnaire on their computers, phones or tablets, although paper copies can also be ordered.

Local census support centres will be open while the census is happening. Staff will offer help for people not confident online, who don’t have a computer or need help completing on paper.

Census Support Service (CSS) for Ashfield are:

• Ashfield Voluntary Action (Health & Wellbeing Centre, NG17 7AE) - also supporting at Ashfield Community Enterprise in Stanton Hill: call 01623 784 345 or 01623 784 347

• Under One Roof, Hucknall (3A Vine Terrace, NG15 7HN): call 0115 9521236

The census has been in place for over 200 years and whilst personal data is recorded, personal information is kept safe and confidential by law.

For more information and advice on how to answer the questions, visit www.census.gov.uk