We are currently carrying out a lot of important work across England and Wales.

Census

The Census is the once-a-decade survey of everyone in England and Wales. The Census 2021 data collection operation is now over and the Office for National Statistics (ONS) will not contact you directly regarding the census, Census Coverage Survey (CCS) or Census Quality Survey (CQS). The census in Scotland will take place in March 2022 and is run by National Records of Scotland; find out more on the Scotland's Census website.

Coronavirus Infection Survey

The Coronavirus Infection Survey (CIS) is operated by the ONS jointly with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), an executive agency sponsored by the Department of Health and Social Care, and is the largest regular survey of infections and antibodies in the community population. It is a voluntary survey, with people taking part by completing a questionnaire and a self-administered swab test or swab and blood test. Swab tests and blood tests are delivered through a non-contact visit by a field team member to the household. Some schools are also taking part in the COVID-19 Schools Infection Survey. Potential participants will be contacted via their school.

People, families and households

Our ongoing range of studies about people, families and households. These include:

  • Family Resources Survey (FRS)

  • Household Assets Survey (HAS)

  • Labour Force Survey (LFS)

  • Living Costs and Food Survey (LCF)

  • National Survey for Wales (NSW)

  • Opinions and Lifestyle Survey (OPN)

  • Survey on Living Conditions (SLC)

  • and several online studies

Every address selected for these studies is sent a letter with details of how to take part. We are currently carrying out our studies by telephone, and some online, instead of face-to-face. However, we are beginning to resume some of our past ways of working, while maintaining measures to ensure the safety of the public and our staff. You can find out more in this statement.

International Passenger Survey

The International Passenger Survey (IPS) is conducted at ports, airports and stations. This study gathers information about travel and tourism, and now also collects data about the experiences and attitudes of passengers who are travelling during the pandemic. We have put in place extensive measures to ensure that interviewing can be conducted safely.

Business surveys

Our ongoing range of business surveys covering various aspects of the UK economy. These surveys are conducted on a fortnightly, monthly, quarterly and annual basis and include:

  • Monthly and Annual Business Surveys (MBS and ABS)

  • Business Insights and Conditions Survey (BICS)

  • Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE)

Businesses selected are contacted via letter or email, with surveys completed online, by post, or telephone data entry (TDE). ONS staff do not attend businesses in person.

Your safety and security

No-one working on our studies and surveys will ever ask you for your bank details or ask for money for taking part. Our staff will carry identification and our data collection will be done in a way that keeps the public and our staff safe, complying with all government guidelines.

The ONS can help you to identify whether a caller or a letter, text or email you have received about a survey or study is genuine. Please contact them using the contact details provided on census.gov.uk/contact-us, on the Information for businesses page for business surveys, and in the Want to get in touch section of the ONS website page for other studies.