2011 Census: Sunday 27 March 2011

Every ten years the Office for National Statistics (ONS) carries out a census to find out more about the people who live in England and Wales, and about the make-up of local neighbourhoods. The next census will take place on Sunday 27 March 2011, when ONS will be sending out questionnaires for around 25 million households to complete.

The census asks about work, health, national identity, citizenship, ethnic background, education, second homes, language, religion, marital status and so on. These statistics are then used to build a picture of today’s society.

Why should this matter?

Like all local authorities in England and Wales, Thanet District Council relies on census population statistics to get the government funding we need for public services. How much we get is directly related to how many and what kind of people the census says live in our area. So even if the census were to end up just a few households short, it could make a very real difference to people’s lives. The census needs to include everyone, everywhere – and that’s why everyone has to take part.

What do you need to do?

Simple. Just answer a few questions about yourself and the people who share your household with you on census day. Everything you tell the census is in strictest confidence and will only be used to produce statistics. ONS will not share your personal information with any other government department or organisation.

You can do it online or by post, just make sure you get the questionnaire back as soon as possible after the census.

The census needs everyone to take part in helping tomorrow take shape – and this is your chance to make a difference.

For more information, visit www.census.gov.uk