Census 2031 - testing, testing...

In 2027, there will be a test ahead of Census 2031.

I was looking at the Census site for some writing I'm currently doing and came across the details.

In 2027, we plan to invite 120,000 households across six local authorities to fill in a questionnaire. Most people will receive an invitation to complete the questionnaire online, with alternative routes for completion where needed, including paper forms.

We will ask a further sample of 100,000 households in other parts of England and Wales to provide responses.

Additionally, we will invite all students living in halls of residence in two cities to provide responses, through the same routes.
What are you testing?

We are looking at different ways of running a large data-collection operation to help us choose the best approaches for Census 2031. For example, we will be looking at trialling:

• different ways of encouraging people to provide responses
• new technical capabilities for our contact centre
• simplifying the authentication process for online responses
• doorstep completion with field officers and telephone completion with the contact centre
• using alternative data sources to identify vacant properties, and helping to target the supply of paper questionnaires
• new ways to engage students in halls of residence

Some people will have different experiences of the Census Test to others. The results will help us to identify the best approaches and rule out methods that are less effective.

While taking part in the Census Test is voluntary, you are helping us plan how to design the next census. Organisations such as local authorities and charities use census information to understand services such as transport, education and healthcare.

As I live in Breckland, I may be involved in the testing.