The census is a unique survey that happens every 10 years and Royal Mail will be processing and delivering a host of items around it.
The census gives us a snapshot of all the people and households in England, Northern Ireland and Wales – the most detailed information we have about our society.
It’s important that you fill in your census questionnaire. Without the information you share, it would be more difficult to understand your community’s needs and to plan and fund public services.
In one way or another, your information touches the lives of every single person living in England, Northern Ireland and Wales, whether it’s through using census information to plan new schools, doctors’ surgeries or bike lanes.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) runs the census and is independent from government. Your details are protected by law and information published is always anonymous.
Census Day is Sunday 21 March 2021. You can fill yours in online as soon as you get your access code in the post. If your household circumstances change on Census Day, you can let the ONS know.
If you need help or have any questions, visit www.census.gov.uk
How we’re helping
Royal Mail has been contracted to process and deliver a host of items. The programme is scheduled to roll-out as follows:
- 22 to 27 February – Door to Door across England, Wales and Northern Ireland (26.4 million items)
26 February – First census forms handed to communal properties
1 to 12 March – Initial contact letters (24.7 million items)
1 to 12 March – Mailing of initial questionnaires (3 million items)
15 to 20 March – Door to Door across Northern Ireland (0.82 million items)
22 March to 27 March – Door to Door across Northern Ireland (0.82 million items)
22 March to 26 April – Reminder letters (18.8 million items)
22 March to 26 April – Mailing of requested paper questionnaires (c. 1 million items)
2 March to 31 July – Return mailing of completed paper questionnaires (4.2 to 5.2 million items).
and finish time