CENSUS 2021 GOES ONLINE AND THE LGBT+ COMMUNITY WILL GET TO STATE THEIR GENDER AND SEXUAL ORIENTATION FOR THE FIRST TIME

The year is 2021 which can only mean one thing, a national ten-year census is to be conducted.

Every 10 years the office of national statistics undertakes a nationwide census in order to glean details of population levels and the demographic make-up of the country, which includes the balance of young and old, the jobs which people do, their location they call home and in what type of home that is.

This information is vital both on a national level but also on a local level as it allows for a better understanding of what Salfords needs are as we move into the future. Armed with this information, planners can make informed decisions on things like schooling, hospitals and other public services.

This year, for the first time, there will be additional questions such as asking if you have served in the armed forces, as well as voluntary questions on the sexual orientation and gender identity of those over the ages of 16.

This will mark the first time in history that the LGBT+ community will be able to record their sexual orientation and gender in a national census, which is a huge step forward.

In another first due to the ongoing covid crisis, people will be able to complete the census securely online by entering a unique 16-character access code which will be provided to them via a letter. It is said to be quick and easy and will take no longer than 10 minutes to complete.

If you are unable to get online then you can also contact the Census Support Centre (subject to Covid restrictions) who will be able to assist in filling in the form or alternatively you can call the census phone service who will send you out a paper version.

You can contact them via - 0800 141 2021.

As usual, failure to complete the census could result in a fine of up to £1,000.

Letters will start to arrive in the post in the coming weeks.