Government Proposals for The 2001 Census of Population

March 1999

Government proposals for the next full census of the population in the United Kingdom - to be held on April 29, 2001 - are published today in a White Paper.

Welcoming the issue of the White Paper, Scottish Home Affairs Minister Henry McLeish said:

"The next Census in April 2001 will be the first since the establishment of the Scottish Parliament, as well as the first of the new millennium. It is a landmark event.

"The Scottish Parliament will put all aspects of Scottish life under the spotlight. It is vital that the important decisions which will be taken by the Parliament are based on the most authoritative and up-to-date information available.

"The Census is a major undertaking involving every household in the country. It provides essential statistical information for the planning and implementation of policy at all levels of government, including resource allocation and research.

"Our proposals in the White Paper for the 2001 Census in Scotland have been carefully considered in the light of Scottish circumstances. It will be for the Scottish Parliament to take a final view on what questions are asked.

"These proposals take advantage of new technology to modernise Census procedures while preserving strict confidentiality."

The Government believes that the topics to be included in the 2001 Census are those that are most needed by central and local government, the health service, businesses and the professions. It is also essential that the Census should be acceptable to the public and should not prove to be a burden.

Among the new topics proposed throughout the UK are the provision of unpaid personal care and the general health of people.

The Government recognises the widespread need for a question on income to be asked - but would prefer to produce statistics from alternative sources. Final proposals on the inclusion of an income question in the 2001 Census will be made once research has been completed.

After consultations with major users, the proposals for Scotland differ from those for England. Additional questions are proposed on respondents' ability to speak Scottish Gaelic and whether rented accommodation is furnished or unfurnished.

It is also proposed that the questions on address of place of work and means of travel to work are extended to include place of study but there is no proposal to include a question on religion in Scotland. Different wording is proposed for the questions on ethnic group and qualifications.

In a number of respects, the 2001 Census will take a different approach to past censuses to tackle difficulties encountered in the 1991 Census, changes in society and technological developments.

Changes are also proposed to the enumeration procedures - including asking the public to return forms by post - with the aim of improving coverage, quality and cost-effectiveness.

Notes For News Editors

1. The White Paper, 2001 Census of Population, (CM 4253) sets out the reasons for holding a census in 2001, the broad principles on which it is based, the reasons for including each proposed topic, the arrangements for collecting and processing the data and disseminating the results, and the measures to safeguard the confidentiality of the information collected.

2. A Census Rehearsal will be held in April 1999 to ensure that the procedures for delivery and collection of the forms will be effective. It will also be used to make a final assessment of the reaction of the public to the proposed questions. The areas to be included are parts of Angus and Dundee City in Scotland, Lincoln and parts of Leeds and Bournemouth in England, parts of Ceredigion and Gwynedd in Wales, the Coleraine and Limavady areas in Northern Ireland. In all around 148,000 households will be involved.

3. The Census results will add substantially to the information obtained on a continuous basis from the Scottish Household Survey - due to begin in 1999 - and other statistical sources.

4. A copy of the White Paper can be accessed on the internet at www.official-documents.co.uk . Further information on the preparations for the 2001 Census can be located at the ONS website www.ons.gov.uk