Census 2021 has launched in Lewisham
The Census, run by the Office for National Statistics, is a once-in-a-decade survey that gives us the most accurate estimate of all the people and households in England and Wales. It has been carried out every ten years since 1801, with the exception of 1941.
Every household across Lewisham will be asked to take part in Census 2021 this spring.
Understanding the needs of the borough helps everyone from central government to organisations, such as Lewisham Council and our health authorities, plan policies for our services across the whole of Lewisham. The information we get from the Census helps us decide where the money from your Council Tax and the Government is spent form everything from transport, education and health to cycle routes, schools and dental surgeries.
Emergency services, charities and voluntary organisations
In addition, Emergency services across the whole of the UK use the Census statistics to allocate resources and plan services based on the local area’s needs. For example, the police use census statistics to know where to concentrate their crime prevention efforts.
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 or need to change what they are doing.
A new approach
Census 2021 will be the first run mainly online, with households receiving a letter with a unique access code, allowing them to complete the questionnaire on their computers, phones or tablets.
If you haven’t already, you will soon receive letters with online codes explaining how you can take part. The Census will include questions about your sex, age, work, health, education, household size and ethnicity. And, for the first time, there will be a question asking people whether they have served in the armed forces, as well as voluntary questions for people aged 16 and over on sexual orientation and gender identity.
The Census closes on 30 April 2021, and results will be available within 12 months, although personal records will be locked away for 100 years, kept safe for future generations.