Historic document: The online topic consultation survey

4 June to 27 August 2015
Historic document: The online topic consultation survey

The 2021 Census - Initial view on content for England and Wales

Please note this consultation has now closed.

This page’s content uses the present tense because it records the wording the public saw at the time that the consultation’s web pages were live.

The Office for National Statistics is already planning the 2021 Census in England and Wales and we need your help. To inform our planning, we have launched this public consultation which is open to everyone. We want to know which topics the census should cover.

A lot changes in the 10 years between each census. Our society is constantly evolving and the information our users want from the census also needs to change. This is why your feedback is so important. You can submit responses until 27 August 2015.

What do I need to do?

Taking part is easy:

• you can respond as an individual or on behalf of an organisation

• please only respond to the specific topics that you require data on

• tell us as much as you can about how and why you use census data

• full guidance on completion is available on the contents page

As you move through the consultation, you will find our current proposals within each topic along with topic-specific background information. Further background information and documentation are available in the related links and downloads at the base of this overview page.

Why we are consulting

“Decisions based on the census can touch the lives of all of us. Individuals and organisations alike are able to make better decisions based on the unique and reliable evidence base that the census provides. But we can't run this major project alone. We need the help of census users to ensure that the census stays relevant and credible. So do please take the time to share your views through this consultation. Together we can make sure we understand as much as we need to about the population in 2021."

John Pullinger, National Statistician

Cyfrifiad 2021: Barn gychwynnol ar gynnwys ar gyfer Cymru a Lloegr / 2021 Census: Initial view on content for England and Wales

Gallwch ddarllen fersiwn Gymraeg o'r ymgynghoriad hwn ac, os hoffech wneud hynny, gallwch roi eich atebion i'r arolwg ar-lein yn Gymraeg.

Darperir fersiwn Gymraeg o'r cyflwyniad ar gyfer pob pwnc hefyd.

Fel arall, gallwch gwblhau fersiwn Gymraeg o'r ddogfen hon yn Word, sydd ar gael o wefan SYG, a'i hanfon dros yr e-bost i 2021census.consultation@ons.gov.uk.

Events

ONS experts held regional roadshow meetings in Newcastle (22 June), Birmingham (23 June), Cardiff (24 June) and London (25 June).

What happens next

We will publish a full response in 2016 to clarify ONS's view on 2021 Census topics, and what work is required before making a final decision.

Further work will inform the questionnaire design for a large scale test in 2017. Outcomes from this and other testing will contribute to decisions on the proposed topics to be included in the 2021 Census White Paper. Parliament will eventually agree the final questionnaire content through the Census Order and Regulations in 2019.

ONS will also use the information gathered during this consultation to inform wider census activities including output development, geography and administrative data development.