The Census is Here!

Hopefully you will have now received your 2011 Census questionnaire. Every household is required by law to fill in and return a questionnaire. Although official Census Day is Sunday 27th March 2011, you can fill in your form anytime up until 6th April, as long as the information you provide is the same as it would be on Sunday 27th March. Even if you are out of the country on the day, you still need to complete your form. It is important that we count as many people in Bristol as possible. This is so that the City Council, police, fire and health services can ensure they get a fair share of central government funding. The data is also used to plan facilities and services for the future – hospitals, schools, housing, recreational facilities, community projects and roads. We need to count everyone who currently uses these services and facilities in Bristol – including students who make up a large proportion of the population of Bristol. You can complete the forms online at www.census.gov.uk, this will take about 10 minutes. Alternatively you can complete the paper version, which will take 30 minutes on average, and post it back. If you haven‘t returned your form by 6 April, a Census Collector - who will be wearing a photo ID badge – will knock at your door to remind you to fill it in. All your personal details are kept confidential for 100 years. The Office for National Statistics is not allowed by law to divulge any personal data to any Government Department or agency. Bristol City Council will not see the information either. If you‘re unsure about or have difficulty completing your census questionnaire, there will be lots of ways you can get help: Online help at www.census.gov.uk will guide you, whether or not you‘re completing online. Extra help is also available online for anyone who needs it, including British Sign Language (BSL) video, audio and Braille guides, large print questionnaires, translation guides and an Easy Read booklet. The census telephone helpline 0300 0201 101 (charged at local rate) can provide help and advice in English, Welsh and over 50 other languages. Census collectors will visit households that have not returned their questionnaire by 6 April. They can answer questions and help you fill it in.

So please support our city and its future by filling in and returning your Census ques- tionnaire.