Collecting the information

Pre-addressed questionnaires will be posted out to most households using a specially developed enumeration list of addresses. This was trialled in the 2007 Census Test. A variety of approaches will be used to increase coverage of groups of people. These include delivering and collecting forms by hand, and using more field staff in the most difficult areas.

Following the success of the 2001 Census Community Liaison programme, the 2011 Census will seek to build relationships with relevant groups and agencies. The programme involves close co-operation with local authorities and regional, community and neighbourhood groups.

Householders will have a choice to submit their answers to census questions online or by post. New web services are being created for the online questionnaire and an online help centre providing advice and guidance for completing the questionnaire. An accessibility area on the website will provide video and audio assistance, in English and Welsh, for people who are visually impaired or deaf. A multi-lingual telephone helpline will also be available.