Census 2021: Households face £1,000 fine if they fail to fill out form on Sunday

Completing the form online is encouraged

The form should take about 10 minutes per person to complete (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

With only a few days left until Census Day in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, households are being warned they could face a fine of up to £1,000 if they fail to send in their form.

People are being urged to fill in the Office for National Statistics (ONS) form by Census Day on Sunday 21 March.

Households are able to complete the form, which has been sent out in the post, via a paper questionnaire or online.

The Census, which surveys all households every 10 years, helps to decide how funding for public services is allocated in each area.

The ONS runs only England and Wales’ survey. People living in Northern Ireland should visit the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency website to enter their details.

In Scotland, the census has been moved to 2022 due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

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It is a legal requirement to submit the questionnaire – failing to do so, or supplying false information, could mean receiving a four-figure penalty.

However, fines will be issued only after other steps have been taken. People who fail to submit their form on or soon after Census Day will be contacted by a census officer who will encourage them to complete it and offer any support if necessary.

Following this action, those who fail to return a completed census will be contacted by the government’s non-compliance team and may be prosecuted.

The 2021 census is the first time LGBT+ people will be recognised since records began. Two new questions on sexual orientation and gender identity have been added to the survey, and people are able to request an individual form if they would like to answer without other members of their household being able to view their responses.

Statistics acquired through the census will not be published in a way that will enable anyone to be identified.

Households are encouraged to complete the questionnaire online, but a paper version of the survey can be ordered by visiting the Census website or calling 0800 141 2021.