FOI ref: FOI/2022/4552
You asked
Following last year's census, could you please kindly send me the list of all languages spoken in London in 2021?
We said
Thank you for your request.
Statistics on languages spoken from the 2021 Census have not been released yet.
On 28 June 2022 we published the first results from Census 2021 on the population and housing in England and Wales that took place on 21 March 2021.
The datasets and the statistical bulletins for first results can be accessed via this page on the Office for National Statistics website: https://www.ons.gov.uk/releases/initialfindingsfromthe2021censusinenglandandwales
The first topic summary demography and migration will be released on 2 November.
- UK armed forces veterans
- ethnic group, national identity, language, and religion
- ethnic group, national identity, language, and religion (Welsh language)
- labour market and travel to work
- housing
- sexual orientation and gender identity
- education
- health, disability, and unpaid care
We have detailed the variables and classifications we plan to include in the topic summaries and area profiles in the corresponding tabs of the Topic summaries and area profile specifications spreadsheet.
The order has changed slightly from our initial response to the Census 2021 Outputs consultation. As our timetable is planned around user need, it is and will remain subject to change. In accordance with the Code of Practice for official statistics, we will confirm final publication dates on the release calendar four weeks in advance, where possible.
The provisional release date for languages spoken is 29 November 2022.
As such, the information you have requested is considered exempt under Section 22(1) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, whereby information is exempt from release if there is a view to publish the information in the future. As a central government department and producer of official statistics, we need to have the freedom to be able to determine our own publication timetables. This is to allow us to deal with the necessary preparation, administration and context of publications. It would be unreasonable to consider disclosure when to do so would undermine our functions.
This exemption is subject to a public interest test. We recognise the desirability of information being freely available and this is considered by ONS when publication schedules are set in accordance with the Code of Practice for Statistics. The need for timely data must be balanced against the practicalities of applying statistical skill and judgement to produce the high quality, assured data needed to inform decision-making. If this balance is incorrectly applied, then we run the risk of decisions being based on inaccurate data which is arguably not in the public interest. This will have an impact on public trust in official statistics in a time when accuracy of official statistics is more important to the public than ever before.