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Statutory Instruments

2020 No. 560

Census, England

The Census (England) Regulations 2020

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(1), makes the following Regulations in exercise of powers conferred by section 3(1) of that Act.

Citation, commencement and application

1.—(1) These Regulations may be cited as the Census (England) Regulations 2020 and come into force on 23rd June 2020.

(2) These Regulations apply in relation to England only.

Revocation

2.  The Census (England) Regulations 2010(2) are revoked.

Interpretation

3.—(1) In these Regulations—

“the 1920 Act” means the Census Act 1920;

“the 2007 Act” means the Statistics and Registration Service Act 2007(3);

“the Census Order” means the Census (England and Wales) Order 2020(4);

“address register” means the register and any subset of the register used by the Authority, which contains the address of each household and communal establishment in England of which the Authority is aware;

“appointee” means any person appointed under regulation 4 or appointed by the Authority before the coming into force of these Regulations for the purposes of taking the census;

“area operations manager” means a person appointed under regulation 4(1)(a);

“the Authority” means the Statistics Board established by section 1 of the 2007 Act;

“census” means the census directed to be taken by the Census Order;

“census co-ordinator” means a person appointed under regulation 4(1)(b)(i);

“census co-ordinator area” means an area created under regulation 4(1)(b)(i);

“census day” means 21st March 2021;

“census electronic device” means such electronic device as the Authority must provide under regulation 7(3);

“census officer” means an officer appointed under regulation 4(1)(c);

“census packs” means any of the packs described in regulation 8(3) to 8(5);

“communal establishment” means any establishment specified in Groups B to F of column 1 of Schedule 1 to the Census Order;

“communal establishment co-ordinator” means a person appointed under regulation 4(1)(b)(ii);

“communal establishment co-ordinator area” means an area created under regulation 4(1)(b)(ii);

“communal establishment officer” means an officer appointed under regulation 4(1)(c);

“communal establishment pack” means an online communal establishment pack or a paper communal establishment pack;

“completed questionnaire” means a questionnaire completed with the particulars which the Census Order requires a prescribed person to provide and which were correct at midnight on census day;

“dwelling” has the meaning given by article 2(1) of the Census Order;

“elector” means a prescribed person who elects to make an individual return under article 5(5) of the Census Order;

“electronically” means using the internet;

“enumeration district” means a district created under regulation 4(1)(c);

“fieldwork management tool” means such electronic system as the Authority must provide under regulation 7(2);

“household” has the meaning given by article 2(1) of the Census Order;

“household continuation pack” means a pack as described in regulation 8(5);

“householder” has the meaning given by article 2(1) of the Census Order;

“household pack” means an online household pack or a paper household pack;

“individual pack” means an online individual pack or a paper individual pack;

“individual return” has the meaning given by article 2(1) of the Census Order;

“online communal establishment pack” means such a pack as described in regulation 8(3);

“online household pack” means such a pack as described in regulation 8(3);

“online individual pack” means such a pack as described in regulation 8(3);

“online questionnaire” means any of questionnaire H1(online), questionnaire I1(online), or questionnaire CE1(online);

“paper communal establishment pack” means such a pack as described in regulation 8(4);

“paper household pack” means such a pack as described in regulation 8(4);

“paper individual pack” means such a pack as described in regulation 8(4);

“paper questionnaire” means any of questionnaire H1(paper), questionnaire HC1(paper), questionnaire I1(paper), or questionnaire CE1(paper);

“personal information” has the meaning given by section 39(2) of the 2007 Act;

prescribed person” means a person required by the Census Order to make a return or any person making a return on behalf of such a person in accordance with the Census Order;

“questionnaire” means any online or paper questionnaire;

“questionnaire identification number” means a numeric, machine readable identifier which is unique to each questionnaire;

“questionnaire tracking system” means such electronic system as the Authority must provide under regulation 7(1);

“replacement unique access code” means a unique access code that is different from and replaces a unique access code already provided;

“reply-paid envelope” means an envelope which is pre-addressed and which does not require payment by the sender;

“unique access code” means a code which gives unique internet access to each questionnaire H1(online), each questionnaire I1(online) and each questionnaire CE1(online); and

“usual resident” has the meaning given by article 2(3)(a) of the Census Order.

(2) In these Regulations the following abbreviations apply—

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.—(1) For the purposes of the census, the Authority must—

(a)divide England into census areas and appoint an area operations manager for each;

(b)divide each census area into—

(i)census co-ordinator areas and appoint a census co-ordinator for each;

(ii)communal establishment co-ordinator areas and appoint a communal establishment co-ordinator for each;

(c)divide each census co-ordinator area and each communal establishment co-ordinator area into enumeration districts and appoint as many census officers and communal establishment officers as it considers necessary for the purpose of carrying out the census in those districts, in accordance with the 1920 Act and these Regulations.

(2) The Authority may also appoint as many other persons as it considers necessary for the taking of the census.

(3) The persons appointed under paragraphs (1) and (2) must perform the duties assigned to them under the 1920 Act and these Regulations and must comply with any instructions issued to them in accordance with these Regulations.

Questionnaires to be used in the taking of the census

5.—(1) For the purposes of the census the Authority must ensure that—

(a)online questionnaires are accessible electronically through unique access codes and contain the questions and response options set out (as appropriate) in Parts 1, 2 and 3 of Schedule 2 and the functions and features described in Part 8 of Schedule 2;

(b)paper questionnaires are prepared in the form set out (as appropriate) in Parts 4, 5, 6 and 7 of Schedule 2.

(2) Every questionnaire to be used in the census must contain a questionnaire identification number.

Duties in relation to the making of returns

6.—(1) A prescribed person in making a return as required by the Census Order must—

(a)complete one copy only of the relevant questionnaire identified in paragraph (3) in accordance with the instructions provided for that questionnaire;

(b)submit the completed questionnaire to the Authority in accordance with these Regulations.

(2) A questionnaire is submitted to the Authority in accordance with these Regulations when—

(a)in respect of an online questionnaire, it is received electronically by the Authority; or

(b)in respect of a paper questionnaire, it is received in person by an appointee, or received through the post by the Authority or any appointee.

(3) The questionnaire to be completed and submitted in accordance with these Regulations by a prescribed person mentioned in column (1) of the table in Schedule 1 is the online questionnaire or paper questionnaire referred to in the corresponding entry in column (2).

(4) Nothing in these Regulations prevents a prescribed person who is a householder, or any person authorised to act on that householder’s behalf in accordance with the Census Order, from making a return as required by the Census Order by—

(a)completing and submitting the appropriate paper questionnaire and also, in respect of additional members of that householder’s household, by completing and submitting the appropriate online questionnaire; or

(b)completing and submitting the appropriate online questionnaire and also, in respect of additional members of that householder’s household, by completing and submitting the appropriate paper questionnaire.

(5) Nothing in these Regulations prevents a person who is making a return under article 5(9)(a)(i) or (b) of the Census Order on behalf of another person from making that return by—

(a)completing and submitting the appropriate paper questionnaire and also, in respect of that other person, by completing and submitting the appropriate online questionnaire, or

(b)by completing and submitting the appropriate online questionnaire and also, in respect of that other person, by completing and submitting the appropriate paper questionnaire.

Questionnaire tracking system, fieldwork management tool and census electronic devices

7.—(1) The Authority must provide a questionnaire tracking system for the management of the census and for keeping records of—

(a)questionnaire identification numbers;

(b)unique access codes;

(c)replacement unique access codes;

(d)addresses of households and communal establishments;

(e)the households or communal establishments to which census packs have been sent by post or delivered in accordance with these Regulations, or to which visits are to be made;

(f)the circumstances of the delivery of each census pack delivered by a census officer or a communal establishment officer;

(g)the date on which each completed questionnaire received by the Authority was received and the means by which it was received;

(h)multiple requests for census packs or replacement unique access codes by the same prescribed person;

(i)the return of more than one completed questionnaire in relation to the same prescribed person;

(j)the date on which any record is made in accordance with regulation 11(8)(a), 13(11)(b) or 16(5)(b) and the prescribed person with respect to whom it was made; and

(k)any other information which the Authority considers may assist with the conduct of the census.

(2) The Authority must provide a fieldwork management tool for use in the conduct of the census, including in order to—

(a)generate required actions for appointees to perform;

(b)identify addresses of properties for appointees to visit;

(c)enable the recording of information for the questionnaire tracking system;

(3) The Authority must provide sufficient electronic devices (known in these Regulations as “census electronic devices”) through which each appointee for whom it is necessary can access the fieldwork management tool and receive instructions electronically.

Preparation of census packs

8.—(1) The Authority must prepare as many of the census packs referred to in paragraphs (3) to (5) as it considers necessary for the purpose of the census.

(2) The contents of each census pack must be contained in a sealed envelope through which any printed address can be seen.

(3) The online household packs, the online individual packs and the online communal establishment packs must each contain—

(a)respectively, a unique access code for questionnaire H1(online), a unique access code for questionnaire I1(online) and a unique access code for questionnaire CE1(online); and

(b)such additional information as the Authority considers may assist with the completion and submission of the questionnaire to which that pack relates.

(4) The paper household packs, the paper individual packs and the paper communal establishment packs must each contain—

(a)respectively, a copy of questionnaire H1(paper), a copy of questionnaire I1(paper) and a copy of questionnaire CE1(paper);

(b)respectively, a unique access code for questionnaire H1(online), a unique access code for questionnaire I1(online) and a unique access code for questionnaire CE1(online);

(c)such additional information as the Authority considers may assist with the completion and submission of the questionnaires to which those packs relate; and

(d)a reply-paid envelope.

(5) The household continuation packs must contain—

(a)a copy of questionnaire HC1(paper);

(b)such additional information as the Authority considers may assist with the completion and submission of that questionnaire; and

(c)a reply-paid envelope.

Sending census packs to households and electors by post

9.—(1) The Authority may send by post a household pack to such households in the address register, and an individual pack to such electors in the address register, as the Authority considers necessary for the purpose of the census in advance of census day.

(2) If the Authority does not send a household pack or an individual pack by post under paragraph (1) it must instead require the relevant census co-ordinator to arrange delivery by hand of a household pack or an individual pack to that household or elector (as the case may be) in accordance with regulation 10.

(3) In respect of each census pack sent by post in accordance with paragraph (1), the Authority must ensure that a record is made in the questionnaire tracking system to show the address to which the census pack was sent.

Delivery of census packs to households and electors by hand

10.—(1) The Authority must issue every census co-ordinator with—

(a)a census electronic device for use in each enumeration district within that census co-ordinator’s census co-ordinator area;

(b)such household packs and individual packs as it considers necessary for the purpose of the census;

(c)a list, contained in the fieldwork management tool, of the addresses of each household and elector in the address register situated within that census co-ordinator’s census co-ordinator area to which household packs and individual packs (as appropriate) are to be delivered by hand pursuant to regulation 9(2);

(d)such other documents or information as it considers necessary for the purpose of the census.

(2) Each census co-ordinator must—

(a)designate a census officer to deliver household packs and individual packs to each enumeration district;

(b)supply that census officer with such of, and sufficient numbers of, the items in paragraphs (1)(a) to (d) as the census officer requires to carry out that census officer’s duties under these Regulations.

(3) Each census officer designated under paragraph (2)(a) must deliver—

(a)a household pack or an individual pack to each household or elector (as the case may be) whose address is contained in the list of addresses referred to in paragraph (1)(c) and located within that census officer’s enumeration district;

(b)household packs and individual packs (as appropriate) to any other households or electors that are identified by the census officer in that census officer’s enumeration district.

(4) A census officer’s duty to deliver a census pack under paragraph (3) is satisfied in relation to each household if the census officer hands a household pack to the householder or joint householder, and in relation to each elector if the census officer hands an individual pack to the elector or, in either case, where no such person is available, if the census officer—

(a)leaves the census pack with a responsible person who claims to act on behalf of the householder, joint householder or elector (as the case may be); or

(b)where no such responsible person is available, leaves the census pack at, or sends it by post to, the relevant address contained in the fieldwork management tool or, if so directed by the census co-ordinator, to another address provided by the census co-ordinator.

(5) Each census officer must—

(a)make a record in the census electronic device of—

(i)each household pack and individual pack delivered in accordance with paragraph (3)(a) or (b); and

(ii)any additional household or elector to which, or to whom, the census officer has delivered a census pack under paragraph (3)(b).

(b)enable the census co-ordinator to have access to the information recorded in or accessed through the census officer’s census electronic device.

(6) Nothing in this regulation prevents a census officer from being designated to deliver to more than one enumeration district.

Delivery of census packs to communal establishments by hand

11.—(1) The Authority must issue every communal establishment co-ordinator with—

(a)sufficient census electronic devices for use in each enumeration district within that communal establishment co-ordinator’s communal establishment co-ordinator area;

(b)such communal establishment packs and individual packs as it considers necessary for the purpose of the census;

(c)a list, contained in the fieldwork management tool, of the addresses of each communal establishment in the address register situated within that communal establishment co-ordinator’s communal establishment co-ordinator area;

(d)such other documents or information as it considers necessary for the purpose of the census.

(2) Each communal establishment co-ordinator must—

(a)designate a communal establishment officer to deliver communal establishment packs and individual packs to each enumeration district;

(b)supply each communal establishment officer designated under paragraph (2)(a) with such of, and sufficient numbers of, the items in paragraphs (1)(a) to (d) as the communal establishment officer requires to carry out that communal establishment officer’s duties under these Regulations.

(3) Each communal establishment officer designated under paragraph (2)(a) must deliver—

(a)a communal establishment pack to each communal establishment, the address for which is contained in the list of addresses referred to in paragraph (1)(c) and located within that communal establishment officer’s enumeration district;

(b)a sufficient number of individual packs to each of those communal establishments for the purpose of the census; and

(c)communal establishment packs and individual packs to any other communal establishments that are identified by the communal establishment officer in the communal establishment officer’s enumeration district.

(4) A communal establishment officer’s duty to deliver census packs under paragraph (3) is satisfied in relation to each communal establishment if the communal establishment officer delivers the census packs to the person for the time being in charge of the communal establishment or, where no such person is available, if the communal establishment officer—

(a)leaves the census packs with a responsible person who claims to act on behalf of the person for the time being in charge of the communal establishment; or

(b)where no such responsible person is available, leaves the census packs at the relevant address contained in the fieldwork management tool.

(5) The communal establishment co-ordinator may direct the communal establishment officer to distribute as many of the individual packs delivered under paragraph (3) to such persons who are usual residents at the communal establishment and who appear to the communal establishment officer to be capable of completing the questionnaire contained in the pack.

(6) If it appears to the communal establishment officer that a usual resident is incapable of completing that questionnaire, the communal establishment officer may hand the individual pack to a relative of the usual resident, or other person, who has agreed to complete the questionnaire on behalf of the usual resident in accordance with the Census Order.

(7) A communal establishment officer may request the person for the time being in charge of a communal establishment to distribute individual packs in relation to that communal establishment, in the same manner as set out in paragraphs (5) and (6).

(8) Each communal establishment officer must—

(a)make a record in the census electronic device of—

(i)each communal establishment pack and individual pack delivered in accordance with paragraph (3)(a), (b) or (c);

(ii)any additional communal establishments to which the communal establishment officer has delivered communal establishment packs and individual packs under paragraph (3)(c); and

(iii)the collection of paper questionnaires.

(b)enable the communal establishment co-ordinator to have access to the information in or accessed through the communal establishment officer’s census electronic device.

(9) Nothing in this regulation prevents a communal establishment officer from being designated to deliver to more than one enumeration district.

Requests for census packs and replacement unique access codes

12.—(1) If the conditions in paragraph (2) are met, the Authority must provide any census pack or a replacement unique access code to any prescribed person who requests one.

(2) Those conditions are that—

(a)in the opinion of the Authority the census pack or the replacement unique access code is relevant to that prescribed person; and

(b)the person making the request provides the Authority with the address where the prescribed person (or persons) in respect of whom the questionnaire is to be completed, is a usual resident (and in this provision, “the questionnaire” means the questionnaire relating to the requested census pack or the replacement unique access code).

(3) The Authority must provide any census pack under paragraph (1) to the address referred to in paragraph (2)(b) and may send such census pack by post or deliver it by hand to that address.

(4) The Authority may provide a replacement unique access code under paragraph (1) by—

(a)sending it by post or delivering it by hand (and in either case the Authority must send or deliver the replacement unique access code to the address referred to in paragraph (2)(b)); or

(b)sending it directly to a mobile telephone number provided by the person making the request for the replacement unique access code.

Return of questionnaires from households and electors

13.—(1) Every prescribed person to whom an online household pack has been sent or delivered, or on whose behalf delivery was taken under these Regulations, must on the day after census day or as soon after as is reasonably practicable—

(a)use the unique access code provided in the pack to access questionnaire H1(online); and

(b)complete and submit that questionnaire in accordance with the instructions provided online.

(2) Every prescribed person to whom a paper household pack or a household continuation pack has been sent or delivered, or on whose behalf delivery was taken under these Regulations, must on the day after census day or as soon after as is reasonably practicable—

(a)complete the copy of questionnaire H1(paper) included in the pack, place it in the reply-paid envelope provided and send it to the Authority by post (and, as appropriate, follow the same steps in relation to a questionnaire HC1(paper), but this does not prevent a questionnaire H1(paper) and a questionnaire HC1(paper) being sent to the Authority by post in the same reply-paid envelope); or

(b)use the unique access code provided in the paper household pack to access questionnaire H1(online) and complete and submit that questionnaire in accordance with the instructions provided online.

(3) Paragraph (2) (and not paragraph (1)) applies to a prescribed person who has received an online household pack but who has requested a paper household pack.

(4) Every elector who has requested and received an online individual pack must, on the day after census day or as soon after as is reasonably practicable—

(a)use the unique access code provided in the pack to access questionnaire I1(online); and

(b)complete and submit that questionnaire in accordance with the instructions provided online.

(5) Every elector who has requested and received a paper individual pack must, on the day after census day or as soon after as is reasonably practicable—

(a)complete the copy of questionnaire I1(paper) included in the pack, place it in the reply-paid envelope provided and send it to the Authority by post; or

(b)use the unique access code provided in the pack to access questionnaire I1(online) and complete and submit that questionnaire in accordance with the instructions provided online.

(6) Every elector must ensure that one of a questionnaire H1(online), a questionnaire H1(paper), a questionnaire HC1(paper), a questionnaire I1(online) or a questionnaire I1(paper) is completed in respect of themselves.

(7) Where a questionnaire H1(online), a questionnaire H1(paper) or a questionnaire HC1(paper) has been completed in respect of an elector, that elector may choose (but is not required) to comply with paragraph (4) or (5).

(8) A questionnaire I1(online) or a questionnaire I1(paper) submitted by an elector overrides, in relation to any information about that elector, a questionnaire H1(online), a questionnaire H1(paper) or a questionnaire HC1(paper).

(9) As soon as possible after each completed questionnaire H1(online), H1(paper), HC1(paper), I1(online) or I1(paper) has been received by the Authority, the Authority must make a record in the questionnaire tracking system to show that the relevant questionnaire has been returned.

(10) Where an appointee is satisfied, having spoken with a prescribed person for the purposes of articles 5(1) or (3) of the Census Order, that the prescribed person is—

(a)incapable of completing and returning a questionnaire; and

(b)unable to authorise any person to act on the prescribed person’s behalf,

then paragraph (11) applies.

(11) The appointee—

(a)may, in accordance with instructions issued by the Authority, make enquiries about the particulars which the prescribed person referred to in paragraph (10) would be required by the Census Order to provide;

(b)must record the answers to those enquiries, which may be used for the purpose of the census.

(12) As soon as possible after an appointee records the answers in accordance with paragraph (11)(b), the Authority must make an entry in the questionnaire tracking system to show that such a record has been made in respect of that prescribed person.

Return of questionnaires from communal establishments

14.—(1) Every prescribed person to whom an online communal establishment pack has been sent or delivered at a communal establishment, or on whose behalf delivery was taken under these Regulations must, on the day after census day or as soon after as is reasonably practicable—

(a)use the unique access code provided in the pack to access questionnaire CE1(online); and

(b)complete and submit that questionnaire in accordance with the instructions provided online.

(2) Every prescribed person to whom a paper communal establishment pack has been sent or delivered at a communal establishment, or on whose behalf delivery was taken under these Regulations must, on the day after census day or as soon after as is reasonably practicable—

(a)complete the copy of questionnaire CE1(paper) included in the pack, place it in the reply-paid envelope provided and send it to the Authority by post; or

(b)use the unique access code provided in the pack to access questionnaire CE1(online) and complete and submit that questionnaire in accordance with the instructions provided online.

(3) Paragraph (2) (and not paragraph (1)) applies to a prescribed person who has received an online communal establishment pack but who has requested a paper communal establishment pack.

(4) Every prescribed person who has been handed an individual pack under regulation 11(5), (6) or (7) must, on the day after census day or as soon after as is reasonably practicable—

(a)use the unique access code provided in the pack to access questionnaire I1(online) and complete and submit that questionnaire in accordance with the instructions provided online;

(b)complete the copy of questionnaire I1(paper) included in the pack, place it in the reply-paid envelope provided and send it to the Authority by post; or

(c)if so directed by the communal establishment officer, deliver the completed questionnaire I1(paper) included in the pack to the person for the time being in charge of the communal establishment or to the communal establishment officer.

(5) The person for the time being in charge of the communal establishment to whom a completed questionnaire I1(paper) is handed by a prescribed person (whether under paragraph (4)(c) or otherwise) must—

(a)ensure that the questionnaire is placed in a reply-paid envelope and without delay send it to the Authority by post; or

(b)deliver the questionnaire to the communal establishment officer.

(6) In respect of each completed paper questionnaire collected by the communal establishment officer in accordance with this regulation, the communal establishment officer must make a record in the communal establishment officer’s census electronic device.

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—

(a)questionnaire CE1(online) or questionnaire CE1(paper) to be completed and submitted in respect of any group of prescribed persons who individually complete questionnaire I1(online) or questionnaire I1(paper) under paragraph (b);

(b)a paper individual pack to be handed to the prescribed persons in Group G in Schedule 1 to the Census Order and for each prescribed person either to—

(i)use the unique access code included in the pack to access questionnaire I1(online) and complete and submit that questionnaire in accordance with the instructions provided online; or

(ii)complete the copy of questionnaire I1(paper) included in the pack, place it in the reply-paid envelope provided and send it to the Authority by post, or hand it to the person who completes a questionnaire under paragraph (a).

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

16.—(1) The Authority must—

(a)check the records in the questionnaire tracking system and produce a list of addresses for each census co-ordinator area and communal establishment co-ordinator area to which the Authority has sent or delivered a census pack or a replacement unique access code but in respect of which the Authority has not received a completed questionnaire in accordance with these Regulations;

(b)provide to each census co-ordinator and communal establishment co-ordinator the list of addresses referred to in sub-paragraph (a) relevant to them.

(2) Each census co-ordinator and communal establishment co-ordinator must arrange respectively for census officers and communal establishment officers to use the list of addresses referred to in paragraph (1)(b) to make such enquiries as those officers think are reasonable of any person to obtain the particulars which the Census Order requires a prescribed person to provide.

(3) Where a census officer or communal establishment officer has made enquiries under paragraph (2) of a prescribed person in respect of whom no questionnaire has been received by the Authority the officer may—

(a)collect a completed questionnaire;

(b)encourage a questionnaire to be completed and submitted to the Authority in accordance with these Regulations;

(c)agree that the completed questionnaire may be submitted by post using the reply-paid envelope provided;

(d)make such arrangements for the collection of the paper questionnaire as the officer thinks fit; or

(e)provide a replacement unique access code or paper questionnaire.

(4) The Authority must make a record in the questionnaire tracking system whenever it receives a completed questionnaire subsequent to the steps being taken under paragraphs (2) and (3).

(5) Where the Authority receives a questionnaire but the questionnaire does not include some or all of the particulars which the Census Order requires the prescribed person to provide, then an appointee—

(a)may, in accordance with any instructions issued by the Authority, make such enquiries as the appointee think are reasonable of any person to obtain the missing particulars; and

(b)must record the answers to those enquiries, which may be used for the purpose of the census.

(6) As soon as possible after an appointee has recorded the answers in accordance with paragraph (5)(b), the Authority must make an entry in the questionnaire tracking system to show that such a record has been made in respect of that prescribed person.

Giving of information

17.—(1) Every person with respect to whom a return is to be made under the Census Order must, so far as that person is able to do so, give the prescribed person who is liable to make the return such information, including personal information, as that prescribed person may reasonably require for the purpose of fulfilling that prescribed person’s obligations under these Regulations.

(2) Every prescribed person must give any appointee such information, including personal information, as the appointee may reasonably require for the performance of the appointee’s duties under these Regulations.

(3) A person to whom personal information is given in accordance with these Regulations must not without lawful authority—

(a)make use of that information; or

(b)publish it or communicate it to any other person.

Safe custody of questionnaires, records and documents

18.—(1) Any person having custody, whether on that person’s own behalf or on behalf of any other person, of questionnaires or other records and documents (including any records and documents stored on or accessed through a census electronic device) containing personal information relating to the census must keep those records and documents in such manner as to prevent any unauthorised person having access to them.

(2) When directed to do so by the Authority, any appointee must send the Authority all records and documents in that appointee’s possession, including any records and documents stored on or accessed through a census electronic device.

(3) The Authority must arrange for the secure storage of—

(a)completed questionnaires;

(b)any other paper or electronic records and documents containing personal information relating to the census; and

(c)any census electronic devices whilst such devices contain personal information relating to the census or through which such personal information remains accessible.

Safe custody of census electronic devices

19.  Any person who receives a census electronic device must—

(a)use the census electronic device in such manner as to prevent any unauthorised person having access to the device;

(b)ensure the device when not in use is at all times securely stored in such manner as to prevent any unauthorised person having access to the device; and

(c)act in accordance with directions from the Authority regarding when or to whom to return the device.

Statutory declarations and undertakings

20.—(1) Every appointee who is granted permission by the Authority to access the electronic data repositories must make a statutory declaration containing the words set out in Schedule 3, in accordance with the arrangements made by the Authority, as soon as practicable after the appointee’s appointment by the Authority or the coming into force of these Regulations, whichever is the later.

(2) Any employee of the Authority (if suitably instructed by the Authority to do so) may take the statutory declaration referred to in paragraph (1).

(3) Subject to paragraph (4), every appointee who is not required to complete a statutory declaration under paragraph (1) must complete the form of undertaking set out in Schedule 4, in accordance with the arrangements made by the Authority, as soon as practicable after the appointee’s appointment or the coming into force of these Regulations, whichever is the later.

(4) Any appointee who was appointed by the Authority before these Regulations came into force, who completed a form of undertaking that is the same or to the like effect as that in Schedule 4, is not required to complete another undertaking by virtue of this regulation.

(5) For the purposes of paragraph (1), “electronic data repositories” means such electronic systems as the Authority may use to store the particulars recorded in all the questionnaires received by the Authority.

Chloe Smith

Minister of State (Chloe Smith)

Cabinet Office

1st June 2020

Regulations 3(2) and 6(3)

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.

Regulation 5(1)(a) and (b) and Schedule 1

SCHEDULE 2

PART 1Household Questionnaire (online)

(1) Question(2) Response Options
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

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
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
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

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
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
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
(‡) 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 2Individual 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 3Communal 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 4Household Questionnaire (paper)

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PART 5Household Continuation Questionnaire (paper)

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PART 6Individual Questionnaire (paper)

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PART 7Communal Establishment Questionnaire (paper)

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PART 8Functions 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—

(a)starting an online questionnaire;

(b)the persons who must complete the census;

(c)members of the household answering the parts of a questionnaire relevant to them;

(d)when the census should be completed;

(e)how the Authority will use and protect information relating to a prescribed person;

(f)where and how help to complete an online questionnaire can be found;

(g)the mandatory nature of the census as a whole, but the voluntary nature of certain questions within the census.

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

(a)a prescribed person to access the relevant online questionnaire by entering a unique access code online;

(b)a unique access code to link automatically to an address of a household or a communal establishment;

(c)the address of a prescribed person to be displayed automatically (where relevant) in different parts of an online questionnaire;

(d)where an online questionnaire is being completed by a person on behalf of another person in accordance with these Regulations, the automatic modification of any words, letters or punctuation necessary to ensure the grammatical sense of instructions or questions, including the automatic replacement of the words ‘you’ and ‘your’ in any question with the name of the person on whose behalf the online questionnaire is being completed;

(e)the use of responses regarding the relationship of one person to other persons in a household of five or more persons to infer the relationship of those other persons to each other, including for this purpose the function to ask the intermediate question “Are any of these people related to you?” or third-person variations of that question;

(f)the display of text containing instructions or information relating to the completion of specific questions, or generally to the completion of the online questionnaire;

(g)information to be displayed as to why a particular question is important;

(h)questions to be answered in different sequences;

(i)a range of pre-determined response options to be offered in relation to a question;

(j)typed responses to be assisted by predictive text (where appropriate);

(k)routing through the online questionnaire by the use of routing questions;

(l)indication to be given that a routing question has not been answered;

(m)the requirement that a routing question be answered before further questions may be answered;

(n)the prevention of mutually incompatible answers being selected in response to a question;

(o)the display of a prompt where appropriate to encourage the review of a response;

(p)the amendment of a response before submission;

(q)a partially completed online questionnaire to be saved and continued later.

Regulation 20(1)

SCHEDULE 3Content 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.

Regulation 20(3) and (4)

SCHEDULE 4Form 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

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

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.

(1)

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).