Richmondshire residents have been urged to complete this year’s census.
Richmondshire District Council says it is working with The Office for National Statistics to deliver a successful census.
Officials say that understanding the needs of the nation helps everyone from central government to local organisations, such as councils and health authorities, plan and fund public services across England and Wales.
Census outputs inform where public funding is spent on services like transport, education and health – on cycle routes, schools and dental surgeries.
The census will take place on March 21.
Tony Clark, chief executive for Richmondshire District Council, said: “I urge everyone to take part in the census – it will collect important information which will inform future public spending, helping to shape Richmondshire and its communities over the next ten years.”
Households will begin receiving letters with online codes in March explaining how they can complete their online census.
People can also request a paper questionnaire if they’d prefer to complete the census that way.
The main census field operation will begin only after Census Day, contacting those who have not responded.
Field staff will never need to enter people’s houses; they will always be socially distanced, wear PPE and work in line with all government guidance.
They will be operating in the same way as a postal or food delivery visit.
Census 2021 will include questions about your sex, age, work, health, education, household size and ethnicity. And, for the first time, there will be a question asking people whether they have served in the armed forces, as well as voluntary questions for those aged 16 and over on sexual orientation and gender identity.
Results will be available in 12 months, although personal records will be locked away for 100 years, kept safe for future generations.
For more information and advice on how to answer the questions, visit census.gov.uk.
