Census 2021 letters begin to land in England and Wales - here's what you need to know 8 March 2021 at 5:17PM in Marriage, relationships & families 12 replies 1.2K views

Former_MSE_Callum

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Census 2021 letters begin to land in England and Wales - here's what you need to know

geoffreyq

A few days ago the fictional police programme "Unforgotten" had officers investigating a murder accessing recent Census data!  Could that really happen? Checking ONS secrecy requirements reveals that a large number of organisations may have access to personally identifiable information. Indeed, correspondence with the ONS specifically confirms that data may be shared with outside organisations.  As a worrying example : a block of flats has one post code. An unpleasant person wishes to know how many Jews live in the block. The ONS will NOT guarantee that no outside organisation will have access to post code data, which, of course, gives the answer.  Claims of confidentiality should be taken with a pinch of salt!

justworriedabit

we did ours online over a week ago. felt it was intrusive but we are lawful people so completed it to the letter.

gettingtheresometime

How do they know if you make up the answers?

ukmike

My main home is in England but also own a house in Wales.Because of both countrys lockdown i cant go there to pick up the form with the number on it. Will i still get fined?

74jax

ukmike said:

My main home is in England but also own a house in Wales.Because of both countrys lockdown i cant go there to pick up the form with the number on it. Will i still get fined?

Quick google, no you just request access - https://census.gov.uk/help/types-of-household-or-accommodation/second-homes-holiday-lets-and-empty-properties/i-have-a-second-property 

NBLondon

gettingtheresometime said:

How do they know if you make up the answers?

All the Jedi use the Force to prevent the census analysts from noticing this 

GaleSF63

gettingtheresometime said:

How do they know if you make up the answers?

Question 99 "Have you made up any of your answers?"

Dancer_19_73

Can anyone help please?
I was sent two census forms with slightly different house names but the rest of the address is the same.  I contacted Census via email and was told to fill in just the form corresponding to the correct address, which I did online on the 20/03.

Since then I’ve had 2 doorstep visits and have showed both letters to the representatives, who have both made notes on their palm device. I’ve had 2 emails from ‘no reply’ email addresses, asking me to let them know the right address? Surely this is self explanatory? Now I’ve received 4 letters threatening me with court action if I don’t fill in the form.  As I have filled in the form and have the email as proof of submission, can I actually be taken to court and fined? 

The letter is addressed to the householder and not a named person.

Keep_pedalling

Dancer_19_73 said:

Can anyone help please?
I was sent two census forms with slightly different house names but the rest of the address is the same.  I contacted Census via email and was told to fill in just the form corresponding to the correct address, which I did online on the 20/03.

Since then I’ve had 2 doorstep visits and have showed both letters to the representatives, who have both made notes on their palm device. I’ve had 2 emails from ‘no reply’ email addresses, asking me to let them know the right address? Surely this is self explanatory? Now I’ve received 4 letters threatening me with court action if I don’t fill in the form.  As I have filled in the form and have the email as proof of submission, can I actually be taken to court and fined? 

The letter is addressed to the householder and not a named person.

Well you could be taken to court but as you have the evidence that you actually filled in the form you are not going to be convicted.

in you situation I would raise this with my MP.

Dancer_19_73

Keep_pedalling said:

Dancer_19_73 said:

Can anyone help please?
I was sent two census forms with slightly different house names but the rest of the address is the same.  I contacted Census via email and was told to fill in just the form corresponding to the correct address, which I did online on the 20/03.

Since then I’ve had 2 doorstep visits and have showed both letters to the representatives, who have both made notes on their palm device. I’ve had 2 emails from ‘no reply’ email addresses, asking me to let them know the right address? Surely this is self explanatory? Now I’ve received 4 letters threatening me with court action if I don’t fill in the form.  As I have filled in the form and have the email as proof of submission, can I actually be taken to court and fined? 

The letter is addressed to the householder and not a named person.

Well you could be taken to court but as you have the evidence that you actually filled in the form you are not going to be convicted.

in you situation I would raise this with my MP.

Thanks for the advice. I will definitely contact my MP, I hadn’t thought of that.