The 2021 census on Sunday 21st March.
Researchers in our Society rely on the information in the 19th and early 20th century censuses for their research, so with historians of the future in mind, the 2021 census is of great interest. The census will be conducted primarily online. The ONS’ target is to have 75% of census returns completed online, with the remainder completed on traditional paper forms. Most households will receive a unique code in the post which will allow them to complete their census returns online, but there will be provisions in place to support households that may have difficulty accessing an online census. Scotland’s census will be delayed until March 2022 because of Covid-19.
Almost all of the topics asked about in 2011 will appear again in 2021, although the way in which some questions are asked will change.
There will be three new questions in the 2021 census, covering:
- Veteran status: whether the respondent has ever served in the UK Armed Forces.
- Sexual orientation: whether the respondent identifies as gay, lesbian, bisexual, heterosexual or some other sexual orientation. This question will be voluntary and only asked of respondents aged 16 and over.
- Gender identity: whether the respondent’s gender is different from the sex they were registered as at birth. This question will also be voluntary and limited to respondents aged 16 and over.
The 2021 census could be the last one ever to be carried out; the UK’s national statistician, Professor Sir Ian Diamond, has revealed that he was examining cheaper alternatives. Whether the information would be as accessible to researchers and historians remains to be seen.
The 1921 census, which was the first to be conducted following the introduction of the Census Act of 1920, will be published online by Findmypast in conjunction with the National Archives in January 2022.
https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-8531/