Census 2011 deadline looms

People have just 10 days to complete their census questionnaire online or return it in the post before a 6 April deadline. The quickest way to return the questionnaire and get it to the Office for National Statistics before the deadline is to do it online.

All completed questionnaires are ticked off the list as they are returned. If a form has not been returned by 6 April, one of 35,000 census collectors will visit within the following few days.  Collectors will offer help and advice to those who have had difficulty filling in their census forms and will supply replacement questionnaires if they have been lost or damaged.

Glen Watson, ONS Census Director commented: "We are encouraging everyone to respond quickly and certainly in the next 10 days if they don't need any help from a collector. That gets people crossed off our list and reduces the visits that our census collectors have to make. Even better if people complete it online - it all helps to keep the costs down."

Questionnaires can be quickly completed online at www.census.gov.uk or returned in the rely-paid envelope before the 6 April deadline.

Anyone requiring help can use the online help site at www.census.gov.uk or contact the 2011 Census helpline on 0300 0201 101.

Taking part in the census is very important as it is used to help plan and fund a range of services for communities such as transport, education and health.
Everyone must be included in the census - it is a legal requirement to complete and return the questionnaire.

About the census

1.       The census provides an estimate of the population of England and Wales
and is carried out every ten years by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
The information given is confidential and is protected by law.

2.       The statistics derived from the census underpin the allocation of
important funding for necessary services like education, transport and health.
They are also used by policy makers in central and local government to identify and understand the needs of communities.

3.       ONS is responsible for carrying out the census in England and Wales.

4.       National Statistics are produced to high professional standards set out
in the Code of Practice for official statistics. They undergo regular quality assurance reviews to ensure that they meet customer needs. They are produced free from any political interference. © Crown copyright 2011.

5.       6. For the latest on Census, follow us on Twitter @2011censuspress and
@2011censusinfo.

6.       Census has Youtube and Flickr channels. Find out more at
www.youtube.com/2011census and www.flickr.com/2011census. For the latest data on the economy and society consult National Statistics at http://www.ons.gov.uk