You asked
I have just filled in my online census form which asks questions I've never been asked before.
Here are my questions.
1. Why are you asking for data about central heating, education, transport, religion and gender?
2. With which other government departments will you share this anonymised data?
3. What guarantees do British citizens have that this information will be held securely after the 2021 census results are complete?
4. Will you fine old people 1,000 pounds sterling if they have neither a phone nor an internet connection.
5. Which third party - outsourced company - are you using to produce the documentation sent out to our country.
6. How much has the 2021 census cost to date?
We said
Thank you for your request for information about the Census 2021.
1. Why are you asking for data about central heating, education, transport, religion and gender?
The topics and questions included in Census 2021 reflect the Office for National Statistics' (ONS's) recommendations, which were published in the December 2018 White Paper Help Shape Our Future: The 2021 Census of Population and Housing in England and Wales. The recommendations were informed by a programme of research and consultation over 3 years.
The majority of questions are the same as the previous Census in 2011, in order to ensure comparability of data between censuses. New topics and questions are only included where ONS consultations and research have shown there to be a compelling case to do so. New questions included for Census 2021 were previous service in the UK Armed Forces and voluntary questions on sexual orientation and gender identity for those aged 16 and over.
Chapter 3 of the White Paper sets out the reasons for the census topics and questions being included. Further information on is available on the Census 2021 question development pages on the ONS website.
2. With which other government departments will you share this anonymised data?
The information collected in Census 2021 will only be used for the production of statistics and statistical research. In all cases access to, or use of, census data must comply with requirements set out in the Statistics and Registration Service Act 2007 and data protection legislation (such as the General Data Protection Regulation and the Data Protection Act 2018), as well as the standards set out in the Code of Practice for Statistics.
Following the census, the ONS will publish aggregated census statistics for anyone to use, including government departments. The release of these census statistics is subject to statistical disclosure control to ensure that individuals cannot be identified from them. More information can be found in the 'Outputs and disclosure control' section of our article Statistical design for Census 2021, England and Wales.
Our Secure Research Service (SRS) gives accredited or approved researchers secure access to de-identified, unpublished data in order to work on research projects for the public good. We have been accredited as a data processor under the Digital Economy Act (DEA) 2017 for the preparation and provision of data for research purposes. The SRS provides a safe setting, as part of the Five Safes Framework to protect data confidentiality. Further information can be found on the Accessing secure research data as an accredited researcher page on the ONS website.
3. What guarantees do British citizens have that this information will be held securely after the 2021 census results are complete?
The safety of census information is the ONS's top priority. Everyone working on the census signs the Census Confidentiality Undertaking. This includes people working for the census offices and for suppliers supporting delivery of the Census. It's a crime for them to unlawfully share personal census information. The ONS has a strict security regime that follows government standards. This includes physical and IT security measures to protect your information. Suppliers are contractually obligated to follow this regime. In line with government policy, relevant legislation and the promise of confidentiality, personal census data is not released until 100 years after the census in question.
All our systems, staff and suppliers must protect the confidentiality of Census data and personal data by law. Laws in place that cover protection of your data include the:
- Data Protection Act 2018
- General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
- Census Act 1920
- Statistics and Registration Service Act 2007
The ONS, with the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA), commissioned an independent review of Census security arrangements, which can be read on the ONS website.
4. Will you fine old people 1,000 pounds sterling if they have neither a phone nor an internet connection.
Although Census 2021 is designed to be a digital-first census and we are encouraging people to complete online where possible, we are making sure that those who do not have internet access are aware of the census and how they are able to take part.
The Census 2021 letter sent to every household explains how to access support to complete the form and how to order a paper questionnaire by phoning our freephone contact centre. Ten percent of households, where the take-up of the online option is likely to be relatively low, have been sent a paper questionnaire in place of the letter, with the same explanation of how to access support.
The leaflet enclosed with the letter or paper questionnaire also provides details of how to locate the nearest Census Support Centre, which can provide in-person support for those who would like to fill it in online but who need help to do so.
We are also encouraging people who need help to complete the census to ask for help from family and friends, if that is suitable for them. People can order a paper questionnaire to be sent to the address of friends or family who need one; they can order it through the Census 2021 website or the freephone contact centre and will need to provide the address or the reference number on the letter sent to that address.
As part of our follow-up process after Census Day, households that have not responded to the census will receive reminder letters and field officers will visit those household to give help and encouragement to complete a questionnaire. They will request a paper form on behalf of the household if required and can provide information on the help on offer to complete the Census forms. As long as people complete the census, steps will not be taken to prosecute them. Our services to request access codes and paper questionnaires will remain open throughout March and April and the non-compliance process does not commence until 25 May.
5. Which third party - outsourced company - are you using to produce the documentation sent out to our country.
The ONS is working with together with a number of suppliers to help deliver the 2021 Census. Further information can be found on the suppliers page on the ONS website.
6. How much has the 2021 census cost to date?
The Census is part of a bigger modernisation programme in the Office for National Statistics which will bring controlled online access to ONS's data collections, and which will integrate other sources of data with ONS survey data to create new insights and new and quicker ways of sharing statistics.
This modernisation is happening over an 11-year period, improving the way ONS collects, processes and shares its statistics. The cost of this modernisation, including all costs for the 2021 Census, over the 11 period is around £900 million – less than £1.50 per person (in England and Wales) a year over 11 years.