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The Census (England) Regulations 2020

Type Statutory-Instrument
Publication 2020-06-01
State In force
Department King's Printer of Acts of Parliament
Source legislation.gov.uk
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Made: 1st June 2020

Laid before Parliament: 2nd June 2020

Coming into force: 23rd June 2020

The Minister for the Cabinet Office, having consulted the Statistics Board in accordance with section 3(1A) of the Census Act 1920[^f00001], makes the following Regulations in exercise of powers conferred by section 3(1) of that Act.

Citation, commencement and application

1

Revocation

2

The Census (England) Regulations 2010[^f00002] are revoked.

Interpretation

3

Abbreviation (when used with the term “questionnaire”) Meaning
H1(online) “Household Questionnaire (online)” as referred to in column (2) of the table in Schedule 1
I1(online) “Individual Questionnaire (online)” as referred to in column (2) of the table in Schedule 1
CE1(online) “Communal Establishment Questionnaire (online)” as referred to in column (2) of the table in Schedule 1
H1(paper) “Household Questionnaire (paper)” as referred to in column (2) of the table in Schedule 1
HC1(paper) “Household Continuation Questionnaire (paper)” as referred to in column (2) of the table in Schedule 1
I1(paper) “Individual Questionnaire (paper)” as referred to in column (2) of the table in Schedule 1
CE1(paper) “Communal Establishment Questionnaire (paper)” as referred to in column (2) of the table in Schedule 1

Administrative divisions and appointments

4

Questionnaires to be used in the taking of the census

5

Duties in relation to the making of returns

6

Questionnaire tracking system, fieldwork management tool and census electronic devices

7

Preparation of census packs

8

Sending census packs to households and electors by post

9

Delivery of census packs to households and electors by hand

10

Delivery of census packs to communal establishments by hand

11

Requests for census packs and replacement unique access codes

12

Return of questionnaires from households and electors

13

then paragraph (11) applies.

Return of questionnaires from communal establishments

14

Taking of the census for persons in Group G

15

A census co-ordinator must, in accordance with any instructions issued by the Authority, make arrangements in that census co-ordinator’s census co-ordinator area for—

Procedure where no questionnaire or an incomplete questionnaire is received by the Authority

16

Giving of information

17

Safe custody of questionnaires, records and documents

18

Safe custody of census electronic devices

19

Any person who receives a census electronic device must—

Statutory declarations and undertakings

20

SCHEDULE 1

(1) Prescribed persons (2) Title of questionnaire
The householder or joint householders, or in the absence of any such person capable of making a return, any person authorised to act on the householder’s or joint householders’ behalf, of every household in England. Where article 5(11) of the Census Order applies, the person responsible under that article for making a return in England. The questionnaire entitled “Household Questionnaire (online)” in Part 1 of Schedule 2. The questionnaire entitled “Household Questionnaire (paper)” in Part 4 of Schedule 2. The questionnaire entitled “Household Continuation Questionnaire (paper)” in Part 5 of Schedule 2.
Every usual resident specified in column (2) in Group B to F in Schedule 1 to the Census Order or any person acting on behalf of that person, in England. Every person specified in column (2) of Group G in Schedule 1 to the Census Order or any person acting on their behalf, in England. Any elector in England making an individual return in accordance with the Census Order. The questionnaire entitled “Individual Questionnaire (online)” in Part 2 of Schedule 2. The questionnaire entitled “Individual Questionnaire (paper)” in Part 6 of Schedule 2.
The person for the time being in charge of any premises or vessel mentioned in Group B to F in Schedule 1 to the Census Order, in England. The questionnaire entitled “Communal Establishment Questionnaire (online)” in Part 3 of Schedule 2. The questionnaire entitled “Communal Establishment Questionnaire (paper)” in Part 7 of Schedule 2.

SCHEDULE 2

PART 1 — Household Questionnaire (online)

(1) Question (2) Response Options
Information about the household Information about the household
Do you usually live at (census address)? Selecting one of the following: Yes, I usually live here No, I don’t usually live here If the response option “Yes, I usually live here” is selected, the questions below in column (1) marked(†) will not be asked. If the response option “No, I don’t usually live here” is selected, the questions before those marked(†)will not be asked.
What is your name? Entering response in the format: First name Middle name(s) Last name
Do any of the following people also live at (census address) on Sunday 21 March 2021? Selecting all that apply: Family members and partners (include babies born on or before 21 March 2021, children, students and schoolchildren who live away from home during term time) Housemates, tenants or lodgers People who usually live outside the UK who are staying in the UK for three months or more People temporarily away (for example, working away, on holiday, in the armed forces, living in an establishment such as a care home for up to six months, abroad for up to a year) People staying temporarily who usually live in the UK but do not have another UK address (for example, UK residents between addresses or currently without a home) Or None of these apply, I am the only person who usually lives here
Who else lives at (census address)? Entering response in the format: First name Middle name(s) Last name
Does anyone else live at (census address)? Selecting one of the following: Yes, I need to add a (second, third, etc.)person (If selected, the question immediately above in column (1) is repeated.) No, I do not need to add anyone
(†) Do any of the following people live at (census address) on Sunday 21 March 2021? Selecting all that apply: Family members and partners (include babies born on or before 21 March 2021, children, students and schoolchildren who live away from home during term time) Housemates, tenants or lodgers People who usually live outside the UK who are staying in the UK for three months or more People temporarily away (for example, working away, on holiday, in the armed forces, living in an establishment such as a care home for up to six months, abroad for up to a year) People staying temporarily who usually live in the UK but do not have another UK address (for example, UK residents between addresses or currently without a home) Or None of these apply, no one usually lives here (for example, this is a second address or holiday home)
(†) Who lives at (census address)? Entering response in the format: First name Middle name(s) Last name
(†) Does anyone else live at (census address)? Selecting one of the following: Yes, I need to add a (second, third, etc.) person (If selected, the question immediately above in column (1) is repeated, but asking: “Who else lives at (census address)?”) No, I do not need to add anyone
Apart from everyone already included, who else is staying overnight on Sunday 21 March 2021 at (census address)? Selecting all that apply: People who usually live somewhere else in the UK, for example, boyfriends, girlfriends, friends or relatives People staying here because it is their second address, for example, for work. Their permanent or family home is elsewhere People who usually live outside the UK who are staying in the UK for less than three months People here on holiday Or There are no visitors staying overnight here on Sunday 21 March 2021 (If selected, omit the next question in column (1).)
What is the name of the visitor (second visitor, third visitor, etc.) staying overnight on Sunday 21 March 2021 at (census address)? Entering response in the format: First name Last name
Information about household relationships Information about household relationships
Describing the relationship between the respondent and each other resident in the household: (That other resident’s name) is your (invitation to select one of the response options opposite, which is then displayed to complete this statement). Selecting one of the following: Husband or wife Legally registered civil partner Partner Son or daughter Stepchild Brother or sister (including half-brother or half-sister) Stepbrother or stepsister Mother or father Stepmother or stepfather Grandchild Grandparent Other relation Unrelated (including foster child)
Describing the relationship between each other resident in the household (where the respondent is a resident), or the relationship between the residents in the household (where the respondent is not a resident): Thinking about (resident-two’s name, etc.), (resident-three’s name, etc.) is their (invitation to select one of the response options opposite, which is then displayed to complete this statement). Selecting one of the response options shown in relation to the question immediately above in column (1).
Information about the household accommodation Information about the household accommodation
What type of accommodation is (census address)? Selecting one of the following: Whole house or bungalow Flat, maisonette or apartment Caravan or other mobile or temporary structure
If response is “Whole house or bungalow” then: Which of the following is your house or bungalow? Selecting one of the following: Detached Semi-detached Terraced (including end-terrace)
If response is “Flat, maisonette or apartment” then: Where is your flat, maisonette or apartment? Selecting one of the following: In a purpose-built block of flats or tenement Part of a converted or shared house (including bedsits) Part of another converted building (for example, former school, church or warehouse) In a commercial building (for example, in an office building, hotel, or over a shop)
Are all the rooms in this accommodation, including the kitchen, bathroom and toilet, behind a door that only this household can use? Selecting one of the following: Yes No, one or more rooms are shared with another household
How many bedrooms are available for use only by this household? Entering the number of bedrooms
What type of central heating does (census address) have? Selecting all that apply: No central heating Mains gas Tank or bottled gas Electric (including storage heaters) Oil Wood (for example, logs, waste wood or pellets) Solid fuel (for example, coal) Renewable energy (for example, solar thermal or heat pumps) District or communal heat network Other
If there are one or more usual residents at the census address, then: Does your household own or rent (census address)? Selecting one of the following: Owns outright Owns with a mortgage or loan Part-owns and part-rents (shared ownership) Rents (with or without housing benefit) Lives here rent-free
If response is either “Part-owns and part-rents (shared ownership)”, or “Rents (with or without housing benefit)” or “Lives here rent-free” then: Who is your landlord? Selecting one of the following: Housing association, housing co-operative, charitable trust, registered social landlord Council or local authority Private landlord or letting agency Employer of a household member Relative or friend of a household member Other
If there are one or more usual residents at the census address, then: In total, how many cars or vans are owned, or available for use, by members of this household? Selecting one of the following: None 1 2 3 4 5 or more (in which case entering actual number of cars or vans)
Information about individual residents Information about individual residents
Are you (resident name)? Selecting one of the following: Yes, I am No, I am answering on their behalf
What is your date of birth? Entering response in the format: Day-Month-Year
You are (age automatically calculated) years old (or ‘months old’ or ‘days old’ depending on age of resident). Is this correct? Selecting one of the following: Yes, I am (automatically calculated age) years (months or days)old No, I need to correct my date of birth
What is your sex? Selecting one of the following: Female Male
On 21 March 2021, what is your legal marital or registered civil partnership status? Selecting one of the following: Never married and never registered a civil partnership Married In a registered civil partnership Separated, but still legally married Separated, but still legally in a civil partnership Divorced Formerly in a civil partnership which is now legally dissolved Widowed Surviving partner from a registered civil partnership
If response is “Married” or “Separated, but still legally married” then: Who is your legal marriage to? Selecting one of the following: Someone of the opposite sex Someone of the same sex
If response is “Divorced” or “Widowed” then: Who was your legal marriage to? Selecting one of the following: Someone of the opposite sex Someone of the same sex
If response is “In a registered civil partnership” or “Separated, but still legally in a civil partnership” then: Who is your registered civil partnership to? Selecting one of the following: Someone of the opposite sex Someone of the same sex
If response is “Formerly in a civil partnership which is now legally dissolved” or “Surviving partner from a registered civil partnership” then: Who was your registered civil partnership to? Selecting one of the following: Someone of the opposite sex Someone of the same sex
Do you stay at another address for more than 30 days a year? Selecting one of the following: No Yes, an address within the UK (in which case stating address and postcode) Yes, an address outside the UK (in which case stating current name of the country)
If response is “Yes, an address within the UK” or “Yes, an address outside the UK” then: What type of address is (address within UK)? Or What type of address is your address in (name of country)? Selecting all that apply: Armed forces base address Another address when working away from home Student’s home address Student’s term-time address Another parent or guardian’s address Partner’s address Holiday home Other
If aged 18 years or under: Are you a schoolchild or student in full-time education? If aged 19 years or over: Are you a student in full-time education? For either question, selecting one of the following: Yes No
If response is “Yes” then: During term time, where do you usually live? Selecting one of the following: (Census address) (any UK address or current name of country given in response to the earlier question in column (1): “Do you stay at another address for more than 30 days a year?”) (If selected, then only the questions below in column (1) marked(‡)are asked (if relevant), and the intervening questions are not asked.) Another address (If selected, then only the questions below in column (1) marked(‡)are asked (if relevant), and the intervening questions are not asked. The exception is the question immediately below in column (1) which, if it arises, is also asked.)
If response is “Another address” (and if “No” was given in response to the earlier question: “Do you stay at another address for more than 30 days a year?”) then: Is this address in the UK? After this question, only the questions below marked(‡)are asked (if relevant), and the intervening questions are not asked. Selecting one of the following: Yes (in which case stating address and postcode) No (in which case stating the current name of the country)
What is your country of birth? Selecting one of the following: England Wales Scotland Northern Ireland Republic of Ireland Elsewhere (in which case stating the current name of the country)
If response is “Republic of Ireland” or “Elsewhere” then: When did you most recently arrive to live in the United Kingdom? Entering response in the format: Month-Year
If response is “March-2020” then: Did you arrive in the UK on or after 21 March 2020? Selecting one of the following: Yes No
If response is “Yes”, or if response to the earlier question is “April-2020” or any later date, rather than “March-2020”, then: Including the time already spent here, how long do you intend to stay in the United Kingdom? Selecting one of the following: Less than 12 months 12 months or more
One year ago, what was your usual address? Selecting one of the following: (where there is more than one respondent in a household, the second, third etc. respondents are given the additional response option of adopting the response option selected by the first respondent) (Census address) Student term-time or boarding school address in the UK (in which case stating address and postcode) Another address in the UK (in which case stating address and postcode) Another address outside the UK (in which case stating the current name of the country)
How would you describe your national identity? Selecting all that apply: British English Welsh Scottish Northern Irish Other (in which case describing the national identity)
What is your ethnic group? Selecting one of the following: White Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups Asian or Asian British Black, Black British, Caribbean or African Other ethnic group
If response is “White” then: Which one best describes your White ethnic group or background? Selecting one of the following: English, Welsh, Scottish, Northern Irish or British Irish Gypsy or Irish Traveller Roma Any other White background (in which case entering the other White background)
If response is “Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups” then: Which one best describes your Mixed or Multiple ethnic group or background? Selecting one of the following: White and Black Caribbean White and Black African White and Asian Any other Mixed or Multiple background (in which case entering the other Mixed or Multiple background)
If response is “Asian or Asian British” then: Which one best describes your Asian or Asian British ethnic group or background? Selecting one of the following: Indian Pakistani Bangladeshi Chinese Any other Asian background (in which case entering the other Asian background)
If response is “Black, Black British, Caribbean or African” then: Which one best describes your Black, Black British, Caribbean or African ethnic group or background? Selecting one of the following: Caribbean African (in which case entering African background) Any other Black, Black British or Caribbean background (in which case entering the other Black, Black British or Caribbean background)
If response is “Other ethnic group” then: Which one best describes your other ethnic group or background? Selecting one of the following: Arab Any other ethnic group (in which case entering the other ethnic group)
What is your religion? This question is voluntary Selecting one of the following: No religion Christian (including Church of England, Catholic, Protestant and all other Christian denominations) Buddhist Hindu Jewish Muslim Sikh Any other religion (in which case entering the religion)
What is your main language? Selecting one of the following: English Other, including British Sign Language (in which case entering the other language)
If response is “Other, including British Sign Language” then: How well can you speak English? Selecting one of the following: Very well Well Not well Not at all
What passports do you hold? Selecting all that apply: United Kingdom Ireland Other (in which case entering the passports held) Or None
How is your health in general? Selecting one of the following: Very good Good Fair Bad Very bad
Do you have any physical or mental health conditions or illnesses lasting or expected to last 12 months or more? Selecting one of the following: Yes No
If response is “Yes” then: Do any of your conditions or illnesses reduce your ability to carry out day-to-day activities? Selecting one of the following: Yes, a lot Yes, a little Not at all
Do you look after, or give any help or support to, anyone because they have long-term physical or mental health conditions or illnesses, or problems related to old age? Selecting one of the following: No Yes, 9 hours a week or less Yes, 10 to 19 hours a week Yes, 20 to 34 hours a week Yes, 35 to 49 hours a week Yes, 50 or more hours a week
All the questions below in column (1) are for respondents aged 16 years and over only, except the questions marked (‡) which, if relevant, may be asked of any respondent All the questions below in column (1) are for respondents aged 16 years and over only, except the questions marked (‡) which, if relevant, may be asked of any respondent
Which of the following best describes your sexual orientation? This question is voluntary Selecting one of the following: Straight or Heterosexual Gay or Lesbian Bisexual Other sexual orientation (in which case entering sexual orientation)
Is the gender you identify with the same as your sex registered at birth? This question is voluntary Selecting one of the following: Yes No (in which case entering gender identity)
Information about qualifications Information about qualifications
Have you completed an apprenticeship? Selecting one of the following: Yes (for example, trade, advanced, foundation or modern) No
Have you achieved a qualification at degree level or above? Selecting one of the following: Yes (for example, degree, foundation degree, HND or HNC, NVQ level 4 and above, teaching or nursing) No
Have you achieved an NVQ or equivalent qualification? Selecting all that apply: NVQ level 3 or equivalent (for example, BTEC National, OND or ONC, City and Guilds Advanced Craft) NVQ level 2 or equivalent (for example, BTEC General, City and Guilds Craft) NVQ level 1 or equivalent Or None of these apply
Have you achieved an AS, A level or equivalent qualification? Selecting all that apply: 2 or more A levels (include 4 or more AS levels) 1 A level (include 2 to 3 AS levels) 1 AS level Or None of these apply
Have you achieved a GCSE or equivalent qualification? Selecting all that apply: 5 or more GCSEs grade A* to C or 9 to 4 (include 5 or more O level passes or CSEs grades 1) Any other GCSEs (include any other O levels or CSEs at any grades) Basic Skills course (Skills for life, literacy, numeracy and language) Or None of these apply
If response is “No” or “None of these apply” to all the qualification questions above, then: Have you achieved any other qualifications? Selecting all that apply: Yes, in England or Wales Yes, anywhere outside of England and Wales Or No qualifications
Information about past and present employment Information about past and present employment
Have you previously served in the UK Armed Forces? Selecting all that apply: Yes, previously served in Regular Armed Forces Yes, previously served in Reserve Armed Forces Or No
In the last seven days, were you doing any of the following? Selecting all that apply: —Working as an employee —Self-employed or freelance —Temporarily away from work ill, on holiday or temporarily laid off —On maternity or paternity leave —Doing any other kind of paid work Or —None of these apply If the response option “None of these apply” is selected, the questions marked(⸸)below in column (1) will be asked (as appropriate) and the intervening questions will not be asked. If any other response option(s) is selected, the intervening question will be asked and the questions marked(⸸)will not be asked.
In your main job, what is your employment status? Selecting one of the following: Employee Self-employed or freelance without employees Self-employed with employees
What is the name of the organisation or business you work for? Selecting one of the following: —Entering organisation or business name Or —No organisation or work for a private individual
What is your full job title? Entering full job title
Briefly describe what you do in your main job. Entering job description
What is the main activity of your organisation, business or freelance work? Entering main activity
Do you supervise or oversee the work of other employees on a day-to-day basis? Selecting one of the following: Yes No
In your main job, how many hours a week do you usually work? Selecting one of the following: 0 to 15 hours 16 to 30 hours 31 to 48 hours 49 hours or more
How do you usually travel to work? Selecting one of the following: Work mainly at or from home Underground, metro, light rail or tram Train Bus, minibus or coach Taxi Motorcycle, scooter or moped Driving a car or van Passenger in a car or van Bicycle On foot Other
Where do you mainly work? Selecting one of the following: At a workplace Report to a depot At or from home An offshore installation No fixed place
If response is “At a workplace” or “Report to a depot” then: Do you mainly work in the UK? Selecting one of the following: Yes (in which case stating address and postcode for workplace or depot) No (in which case stating the country)
(⸸) Which of the following describes what you were doing in the last seven days? Selecting all that apply: Retired (whether receiving a pension or not) Studying Looking after home or family Long-term sick or disabled Other
(⸸) In the last four weeks, were you actively looking for any kind of paid work? Selecting one of the following: Yes No
(⸸)If response is “Yes” then: Are you available to start work in the next two weeks? Selecting one of the following: Yes No
(⸸)If response is “No”, not actively looking for paid work, or “No”, not available to start work in the next two weeks, then: In the last seven days, were you waiting to start a job already accepted? Selecting one of the following: Yes No
(⸸) Have you ever done any paid work? Selecting one of the following: Yes, in the last 12 months Yes, but not in the last 12 months No, have never worked (If selected, omit the remaining questions in column (1) marked(⸸).)
(⸸) In your main job, what was your employment status? Selecting one of the following: Employee Self-employed or freelance without employees Self-employed with employees
(⸸) What was the name of the organisation or business you worked for? Selecting one of the following: Entering organisation or business name Or No organisation or worked for a private individual
(⸸) What was your full job title? Entering job title
(⸸) Briefly describe what you did in your main job. Entering job description
(⸸) What was the main activity of your organisation, business or freelance work? Entering main activity
(⸸) Did you supervise or oversee the work of other employees on a day-to-day basis? Selecting one of the following: —Yes —No
Information about visitors Information about visitors
(‡) What is (visitor name)’s date of birth? Entering response in the format: Day-Month-Year
(‡) What is (visitor name)’s sex? Selecting one of the following: Female Male
(‡) What is (visitor name)’s usual address? Selecting one of the following: (where there is more than one visitor in a household, the second, third etc. visitors are given the additional response option of adopting the response option selected by the first visitor) An address in the UK (in which case stating address and postcode) An address outside the UK (in which case stating name of country)

PART 2 — Individual Questionnaire (online)

(1) Question (2) Response Options
What type of accommodation is (census address)? Selecting one of the following: A communal establishment (for example, student hall of residence, boarding school, armed forces base, hospital, care home, prison) (If this response option is selected, the question below in column (1) marked(⁑)is asked.) A private or family household
Are you answering these questions for yourself or for someone else? Selecting one of the following: For myself For someone else
If response is “For myself” then: What is your name? Entering response in the format: First name Middle name(s) Last name
If response is “For someone else” then: What is their name? Entering response in the format: First name Middle name(s) Last name
(⁑) What is your position in this establishment? Selecting one of the following: Resident (for example, student, member of armed forces, patient, detainee) Staff or owner Family member or partner of staff or owner Staying temporarily (no usual UK address)
The subsequent questions in this questionnaire are identical to the questions in the Household Questionnaire (online) set out in the table in Part 1 of this Schedule, from and including the question “What is your date of birth?” up to but excluding the questions marked(‡). The subsequent response options in this questionnaire are identical to the response options in the Household Questionnaire (online) set out in the table in Part 1 of this Schedule, from and including the response option to the question “What is your date of birth?” up to but excluding the response options to the questions marked(‡). The routing instruction following the second response option to the question “During term time, where do you usually live?”, and the routing instruction following the question “Is this address in the UK?” (both of which route respondents to the questions marked(‡)) in the table in Part 1 of this Schedule do not apply in this table. Instead, in each case, the routing instruction is: “If selected/After this question (as appropriate), no further questions are asked.”

PART 3 — Communal Establishment Questionnaire (online)

(1) Question (2) Response Options
What is the nature of this establishment? Selecting one of the following: Medical or care Education Armed forces Detention Travel or temporary accommodation Religious establishment Staff or worker accommodation only Other establishment
If response is “Medical or care” then: What type of medical or care establishment is (census address)? Selecting one of the following: Care home without nursing Care home with nursing Children’s home (including secure units) General hospital Mental health hospital or unit (including secure units) Other hospital Other medical or care establishment
If response is “Education” then: What type of education establishment is (census address)? Selecting one of the following: School University (for example, hall of residence) Other education establishment
If response is “Detention” then: What type of detention establishment is (census address)? Selecting one of the following: Prison service establishment (including young offender institutions) Approved premises (probation or bail hostel) Detention centre Other detention establishment
If response is “Travel or temporary accommodation” then: What type of travel or temporary accommodation establishment is (census address)? Selecting one of the following: Hotel, guest house, B&B, youth hostel (including inns and pubs) Holiday accommodation (for example, holiday park) Hostel or temporary shelter for homeless people Other travel or temporary accommodation
Who is responsible for the management of this establishment? Selecting one of the following: NHS Local authority Government department or agency Registered social landlord or housing association Charity or voluntary organisation Private owner or company Higher or further education institution Other
Do any of the following currently live in this establishment? Selecting all that apply: Anyone who has already spent, or is expected to spend, six months or more in this establishment, even if they are away on 21 March 2021 UK residents who are staying in this establishment on 21 March 2021 and have no other usual UK address People who usually live outside the UK who have stayed, or intend to stay, in the UK for three months or more who do not have another UK address Students or schoolchildren who stay in this establishment during term time Yourself, your family, staff, and any others who live in this establishment Or None of these apply
How many people are currently living in this establishment? Selecting one of the following: Entering number of residents No one is living in this establishment (This additional response option only appears if the response option selected to the previous question in column (1) was “None of these apply”.)
Are any of the following visitors staying overnight in this establishment on 21 March 2021? Selecting all that apply: —Anyone with another usual address in the UK who has spent, or expects to spend, less than six months in this establishment —Anyone from outside the UK who intends to stay in the UK for less than three months Or —None of these apply
How many visitors are staying overnight in this establishment on 21 March 2021? Selecting one of the following: Entering number of visitors No visitors are staying overnight (This additional response option only appears if the response option selected to the previous question in column (1) was “None of these apply”.)

PART 4 — Household Questionnaire (paper)

PART 5 — Household Continuation Questionnaire (paper)

PART 6 — Individual Questionnaire (paper)

PART 7 — Communal Establishment Questionnaire (paper)

PART 8 — Functions and features of online questionnaires

1

Online questionnaires and the Authority website hosting online questionnaires will contain information relating to the census and to the completion and submission of online questionnaires, including information about—

2

Online questionnaires and the Authority website hosting online questionnaires will contain functions and features to enable—

SCHEDULE 3 — Content of statutory declaration

[I, A.B. etc.] being a person appointed for the purpose of taking the 2021 Census (“the census”), I will fully and honestly perform the duties assigned to me under the Census Act 1920 and the Census (England) Regulations 2020 (“census duties”).

I will carry out my census duties in conformity with the provisions of section 39 of the Statistics and Registration Service Act 2007, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the Data Protection Act 2018 and all other relevant legal obligations. I understand that failure to comply with such obligations may result in a criminal conviction and a fine or imprisonment.

I will not, except in the performance of my census duties, disclose or make known, at any time, any matter which comes to my knowledge relating to any person, family or household.

I will use any access materials I am given, including any security pass, electronic media, personal identification material or passwords, only to perform my census duties. I will not lend, transfer or otherwise disclose such materials to any other person, unless specifically directed to do so by the Statistics Board.

I will report any concerns I have about the confidentiality of personal information in connection with my census duties, or with regard to any other matters relating to the census whether arising from my actions or those of others, directly to the Statistics Board.

SCHEDULE 4 — Form of undertaking

I,, being a person appointed for the purpose of taking the 2021 Census (“the census”), undertake that I will fully and honestly perform the duties assigned to me under the Census Act 1920 and the Census (England) Regulations 2020 (“census duties”).

I will carry out my census duties in conformity with the provisions of section 39 of the Statistics and Registration Service Act 2007, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the Data Protection Act 2018 and all other relevant legal obligations. I understand that failure to comply with such obligations may result in a criminal conviction and a fine or imprisonment.

I will not, except in the performance of my census duties, disclose or make known, at any time, any matter which comes to my knowledge relating to any person, family or household.

I will use any access materials I am given, including any security pass, electronic media, personal identification material or passwords, only to perform my census duties. I will not lend, transfer or otherwise disclose such materials to any other person, unless specifically directed to do so by the Statistics Board.

I will report any concerns I have about the confidentiality of personal information in connection with my census duties, or with regard to any other matters relating to the census whether arising from my actions or those of others, directly to the Statistics Board.

Signed

Dated

Signed

Chloe Smith — Minister of State (Chloe Smith) — Cabinet Office — 1st June 2020

Explanatory note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

EXPLANATORY NOTE

These Regulations set out the detailed arrangements necessary for the conduct by the Statistics Board (“the Authority”) of the 2021 Census in England. The 2021 Census is directed to be taken on 21st March 2021 by the Census (England and Wales) Order 2020 (S.I. 2020/532) (“the Census Order”). Regulation 2 revokes the Census (England) Regulations 2010 (S.I. 2010/532).

Regulation 4 provides for the division of England into census areas, census co-ordinator areas, communal establishment co-ordinator areas and enumeration districts. It also provides for the appointment of persons to carry out the duties assigned to them under these Regulations.

Regulation 5 introduces the requirements for the questionnaires to be used during the census. The online questionnaires must have the questions and response options and the functions and features set out in Parts 1, 2, 3 and 8 of Schedule 2. The paper questionnaires must be in the form shown in Parts 4, 5, 6 and 7 of Schedule 2.

Regulation 6 provides that a person required by the Census Order to make a return (a “prescribed person”) must complete one copy of the relevant questionnaire and submit it to the Authority. Schedule 1 specifies the questionnaire that is relevant to each category of prescribed person. Regulation 6 also provides that a householder or joint householder, or a person for the time being in charge of a communal establishment, may submit a paper form in relation to the household or the communal establishment and online forms in relation to individual persons in that household or communal establishment, or the other way round.

Regulation 7 requires the Authority to provide sufficient electronic systems (a questionnaire tracking system and a fieldwork management tool) and sufficient electronic devices (census electronic devices) to support the conduct of the census.

Regulation 8 sets out the requirements for the content of the different types of census packs.

Regulation 9 provides for the Authority to send census packs by post to all households and any person within a household who wishes to make an individual return (known as an “elector”) in England of which it is aware, and if not by post then delivered by hand in accordance with regulation 10.

Regulation 10 requires the Authority to provide census co-ordinators with a list of addresses to which census packs are to be hand-delivered within a specified area, and with sufficient census packs, electronic devices and other material necessary to make those deliveries, and for census co-ordinators to provide those things to census officers. It also requires census officers to hand-deliver census packs to the addresses on the list, and to any other addresses identified by the census officer within the specified area. If the intended recipient of a census pack is not available, a census officer may leave the census pack with a responsible person acting on their behalf, or leave the census pack at the address.

Regulation 11 makes equivalent provision to regulation 10 for the hand-delivery of census packs to communal establishments. It also makes provision for the communal establishment officer to deliver individual packs to the manager of the communal establishment, to distribute individual packs to residents of the communal establishment (or to persons acting on their behalf), or to request the manager of the communal establishment to distribute the packs.

Regulation 12 requires the Authority to provide a census pack or a replacement unique access code for an online questionnaire to any prescribed person who requests one, provided that the pack or access code is relevant to that prescribed person, and the prescribed person provides the Authority with a required address.

Regulation 13 provides that every householder or elector who has received a census pack must complete and submit to the Authority the questionnaire relating to that pack on the day after census day or as soon as possible afterwards. It also provides that every elector must make sure that a household or individual questionnaire has been completed in respect of themselves, and provides that an individual questionnaire submitted by an elector overrides, in relation to information about the elector, a household questionnaire. Regulation 13 further provides that where an appointee of the Authority, such as a census officer, is satisfied that a prescribed person is incapable of completing a questionnaire or of authorising someone to act on their behalf, the appointee may make enquiries about the information needed to complete that person’s questionnaire. It also provides that that information may be used for the purposes of the census.

Regulation 14 provides that every prescribed person at a communal establishment who has received a census pack (whether a communal establishment pack or an individual pack) must complete and submit to the Authority the questionnaire relating to that pack on the day after census day or as soon as possible afterwards. It also provides for the manager of a communal establishment to collect any individual paper questionnaires handed to them by residents of the communal establishment, and to post those questionnaires to the Authority or hand them to the communal establishment officer.

Regulation 15 provides that a census co-ordinator must make arrangements for a communal establishment questionnaire and individual questionnaires to be completed and submitted in relation to, and by, prescribed persons who are present at a place within Group G in Schedule 1 to the Census Order (for example, a hostel) on census night and who have no usual address.

Regulation 16 provides for appointees to make enquiries of prescribed persons from whom the Authority has received no questionnaire or an incomplete questionnaire, and to take steps to encourage or assist the submission of a completed questionnaire.

Regulation 17 requires a person in respect of whom a return is to be made under the Census Order to provide, as far as they can, the information (including personal information) that the prescribed person liable to make the return will reasonably need in order to make the return. It also requires a prescribed person to provide any appointee with such information as the appointee may reasonably require for the appointee to fulfil their duties under these Regulations. In addition, regulation 17 makes provision to prevent the unauthorised use, publication and communication of information obtained for the purpose of the census.

Regulations 18 and 19 contain provisions relating to the safe custody of questionnaires and census electronic devices and to the storage and safeguarding of personal information relating to the census.

Regulation 20 provides for the giving of either a statutory declaration or an undertaking by appointees in connection with the performance of their duties in relation to the census and the confidentiality of information obtained as a result of the census. It also provides for any suitably instructed employee of the Authority to take such a statutory declaration.

Schedule 1 sets out the questionnaire which each category of prescribed person is required to complete.

Parts 1, 2 and 3 of Schedule 2 set out the questions and response options contained in the online versions of the household, individual and communal establishment questionnaires that will be used in the census. Part 8 of Schedule 2 describes the functions and features that the online questionnaires will incorporate. Parts 4 to 7 of Schedule 2 contain copies of the paper versions of the questionnaires that will be used in the census.

A full impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no, or no significant, impact on the private, voluntary or public sector is foreseen.

Footnotes

[^f00001]: 1920 c. 41. Section 3(1)(b) was amended by Part 16 of Schedule 1 to the Statute Law (Repeals) Act 1993 (c. 50). Section 3(1) and 3(1)(c) were amended, and section 3(1A) was inserted, by paragraph 3 of Schedule 1 to the Statistics and Registration Service Act 2007 (c. 18).

[^f00002]: S. I. 2010/532.

[^f00003]: 2007 c. 18.

[^f00004]: S. I. 2020/532.

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