Census 2021

Depressing. Another complete waste of time exercise inflicted on us by the big brother mentality suits. Threatening too - a hefty fine for not doing it. I don't take kindly to being threatened. UK population is supposed to be around 68M. In reality it's much higher. I'd guess about 75M. Or 80M. Who knows? Let's face it, they only know about the ones who are on completed forms, the ones who are on the radar. What about unregistered births and those who are under the radar? They haven't got a clue. Successive Labour and Tory PMs have admitted they have no idea how many illegals are here. Or have they factored a don't-know percentage into the total figure, say a few percent, and dare not tell us? Shades of the real rate of inflation, which is way above the official government figure. They might as well wet a finger and stick it up in the air to come up with a figure. It would save taxpayers' money on all that paperwork and staff required. And whilst they're at it, I suggest they secrete their census in a location where it is impossible for solar rays to penetrate.

Hi Slim I guess you take advantage of the many services provided by government and - indeed - by private enterprise. It seems like you would be surprised to know that these censuses are absolutely vital for those services to plan for future demand, because future demand depends almost entirely on how many people there are, and what their general characteristics are - e.g. age/sex/location in particular. Some services - e.g. aged care - require more detailed data, such as how many people are aged and living with disabilities. Others - probably including you - would complain if the roads you need in future weren't constructed and maintained - but how on earth would those responsible for doing that know where these future roads should go, how much traffic they will carry etc? As far as "not having a clue" - that is also way off the mark, as there are many ways of getting good estimates of groups such as "illegals". There are tried and true statistical techniques practiced by good statistical agencies all around the world. "Successive Labour and Tory PMs" rely on the Censuses to provide the very estimates you say they don't have. You're right - they have no idea - until they do the Census. Your criticism of the Census is - to say the least - uninformed! If you were complaining about how those in high places ignore the evidence collected by these surveys, then I would have a lot more sympathy for your opinions. With respect!

With respect, it appears odd to complain about the UK census on an 'Historic' forum. How many of us have used the UK, and many other countries official population records, when researching our own family histories?

I think that there is some basis for Slim's objection but the ideal would be to solve the problems rather than do away with the thing altogether. That said, this may be the very last census as they may use technology in the future to assess what they want to know... or not know because they can't cope with the real answer. I think what will annoy many is how many new, intrusive questions they ask.

We've an opportunity to be included in three censuses this time. Our delayed return means we're already in the Philippine 2020 census and we hope to be back in the UK for the 2021 in March. Then of course there's the 2022 Scottish census to look forward to, assuming travel restrictions are relaxed by then. That should give our descendants something to puzzle over in 2122. In England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland, the census details remain private for 100 years. In the USA just 72 years, Canada 92 years, but in Australia and New Zealand the original forms are destroyed. That means the English, Welsh, Scottish 1921 censuses should be digitised, indexed and available to the public next year but there was no 1921 census in Ireland, it was postponed until 1926. The 1940 USA census is already available as is the 1926 Canada census.

I do not understand why people object to the census. It is used to plan housing/school/hospital service/transport/sewage capacity/utility supply etc all by regions. If the lights go out or the toilets do not flush because "oh we have more people than we thought" no doubt lots of people would be up in arms. Is it a perfect method? No, but you have to start the planning base somewhere. Most infrastructure suppliers use it and of course its predecessors to forecast future trends. Absolute nonsense that is big brother watching.