CENSUS UP DATE
Further information regarding topics which are likely to form part of the 2001 Census have now become available, and were discussed at a meeting of ONS's Diversity Advisory Group, on which FIS is represented, on 21 November.
NATIONAL IDENTITY AND ETHNICITY
These included the latest drafts of the National Identity and Ethnicity questions, which are improvements on those previously considered - on which ONS is to be congratulated, as the issues involved are complex.
National identity and ethnicity draft questions
14 What do you consider your national identity to be?
Tick all boxes that apply
[ ] English
[ ] Welsh
[ ] Scottish
[ ] Northern Irish
[ ] British
[ ] Other, write in
[ ]
15 What is your ethnic group?
White
[ ] English, Welsh, Scottish, Northern Irish or British
[ ] Irish
[ ] Gypsy or Irish Traveller
[ ] Any other White background, write in
[ ]
Mixed / multiple ethnic groups
[ ] White and Caribbean
[ ] White and African
[ ] White and Asian
[ ] Any other Mixed or multiple ethnic background, write in
[ ]
Asian/Asian British
[ ] Indian
[ ] Pakistani
[ ] Bangladeshi
[ ] Chinese
[ ] Any other Asian background, write in
African/Caribbean/Black/Black British
[ ] Caribbean
[ ] African
[ ] Black British
[ ] Any other African, Caribbean or Black background, write in
[ ]
Other ethnic group
[ ] Arab
[ ] Any other ethnic group, write in
[ ] ]
The fact that 'Gypsy or Irish Traveller' remains as one category will concern those who require specific data on Irish Travellers. FIS has supported a separate category for Irish Travellers (see Census responses: www.irishsocieties.org Policy section). However, the fact that a number of voluntary and statutory agencies deliver services to both groups, the relatively small numbers involved, and the volume of demands with which ONS is faced for the inclusion of other issues, will make this a difficult issue on which to persuade ONS to change its views. Advocacy will need to be based on concrete evidence as to why this information is required separately.
We were informed that the European Union is seeking to standardise collection of certain 'key statistics', across the EU - where the Citizenship is considered an important issue. ONS are therefore preparing for the possibility of a European request for the inclusion of a Citizenship question in Census 2011.
Besides the Nationality and Ethnicity questions, Irish people may also be interested in the Language question. This will allow those who are Irish speakers to indicate their fluency in this area. In the consultations, FIS informed the ONS that it would be interested in this information for the development of cultural programmes.
Interestingly, there was strong representation at the meeting from those who wished the question modified so that those who use British Sign Language could signify their ability in this area of communication.
QUESTIONS TO BE INCLUDED OR EXCLUDED
Second homes: A question on second homes is likely to be included, as ONS believes this will enable them to produce more accurate statistics by reducing double counting.
Income question: The Census Test established some resistance to the proposed question on income. As neither the government nor the local authorities are pressing hard for this question, ONS are now considering omitting it.
Long-term illness/disability: It is proposed to extend this question by a rubric asking people to include problems due to old age, and by the introduction of the categories 'limited substantially' and 'limited but not substantially.'
Marital / civil partnership status: The established question on marital status will be adapted to incorporate changes following the passage of legislation on same-sex civil partnerships.
In addition to topics covered above, new or more detailed questions are being proposed on: Month/year of entry into UK, Intention to stay in UK, Number of rooms and/or bedrooms, Type of central heating.
AN EXTRA PAGE FOR CENSUS QUESTIONNAIRE?
Such is the demand for information from the Census that ONS has considered an extra page to include some of requested topics. However, the inclusion of an extra page would add something like £22 million to the costs of the Census: this the Treasury will not bear. ONS - having established in the Census Test that an extra page is not likely to deter people from completing the form - have contacted a number of government departments to see if they will contribute towards the cost of the extra page.
STRATEGIC ISSUES
A Post-out Census: This will be a post-out Census. Evidence from the Census Test suggests that direct contact can be more effective - and economical - at the collection stage rather than the distribution stage. ONS have plans, therefore, to use part of the savings they will make by posting out - as opposed to distributing door to door - for follow-up action to ensure the completion and return of forms.
Assembling the best possible Address base: ONS are under great pressure to improve on the accuracy of their data in order to avoid the situation which arose regarding the last Census, when a number of local authorities were highly critical of ONS, alleging under-counts which were resulting in reductions of in their allocations from central government.
Indeed, working with Manchester City Council, after the last Census, they identified some 14,000 properties that had been missed from the Census (omitting some 30,000 people and resulting in an estimated loss of £100 million to the Council over the period of between the Censuses). They identified areas of re-development, or with a prevalence of flat conversions and multi-occupancy, as main keys to this shortfall.
As 2011 will be a post-out Census ONS are seeking to assemble a first-class address base from a variety of sources, and will be working with local authorities as key partners in this.
Reaching the hard to reach: From the outset, members of the Diversity Advisory Group have drawn to their attention the need to outreach to vulnerable and hard-to-reach people such as the homeless, Irish Travellers and people in residential care homes. ONS have already decided to hand deliver and collect forms addressed to residential care homes.
Final decision on topics for inclusion: Spring 2008
Census White Paper: Autumn 2008
Census rehearsal: Spring 2009 Census day: Spring 2011