Census 2021

[River Tyne Lass]

Andrew ... that made me laugh! 

Regarding chasing up the census,  I think it is almost like they have gone into panic mode about it .. sending out people to people's doors only a day or two after and as you say, Groom, wasting money sending out chase up letters when the forms may very well be in the post or perhaps with them and just not processed yet. 
I hope they do get around to processing mine soon which was sent last Wednesday.  I think I will be on tenterhooks now waiting to see if I get any more visits or letters in the interim. 

[Copper1]

Just let me know who Parliament's "People's Champion" is and I'm write them a strongly worded letter on the topic.

[Maiden Stone]

Just let me know who Parliament's "People's Champion" is and I'm write them a strongly worded letter on the topic.

Everyone who has been receiving unwarranted reminders should complain to their MP and to the Taxpayers' Alliance.
I suppose the money saved by encouraging majority to do census online can be spent on "encouraging" the remainder.
Imo people's mental health is bad enough at present without unnecessary stress from a government body sending threatening letters and cards. They are like an over-zealous sheepdog, one who has only a small flock to spend his energy on.
Also, paper has been saved by promoting online completion but is now being wasted by reminder letters. 

[Gillg]

Now that's a good idea, Maiden Stone!  We have a new helpful MP who actually writes personally in answer to your queries, unlike the former, now retired one, who just got some minion to fire off a standard letter/email saying it wasn't his department.  Of course it could be a minion who sends the personal replies for the new chap, but they are helpful and to the point.  It does seem like a waste of paper and overzealous energy to send reminders so speedily, not to mention a waste of taxpayers' money.  I'm all for keeping paper communication (and cash) in circulation for those who can't or don't want to cope with online activity.

[rayard]

Our papers hadn't arrived by the Census date so we phoned and they said they would send more.
Papers arrived on the Thursday and were posted on the Friday. On Monday we had the reminder letter my husband was annoyed!! Today 1st April we had the second batch.
It certainly is April Fools Day.
rayard.

[Maiden Stone]

Regarding chasing up the census,  I think it is almost like they have gone into panic mode about it .. sending out people to people's doors only a day or two after and as you say, Groom, wasting money sending out chase up letters when the forms may very well be in the post or perhaps with them and just not processed yet. 
I hope they do get around to processing mine soon which was sent last Wednesday.  I think I will be on tenterhooks now waiting to see if I get any more visits or letters in the interim.

Your comments seem to be spot-on. News coverage this week. Harassing pensioners, threatening them with fines, according to one newspaper.

[andrewalston]

Had a couple of cards put through my door while I was out on Saturday, claiming I hadn't filled in the Census. Apparently I have had more than one visit trying to chase up the details.

I rang the number provided, and yes, the person could see that the job was complete, with the correct number of inhabitants. No details, they said, but enough to confirm.

I don't know how they can confuse my address with any other. There are exactly 3 properties in the postcode, the closest of which has a number 22 higher than mine. All of us have house numbers prominently displayed.

[pharmaT]

Scotland have postponed our Census until 2022

How odd considering 'online' is used for almost everything these days, including voting i.e. Covid shouldn't really affect anything to do with the census 


Annie

I think it is a lot more to do with the fact that the staff who would usually process and analyse it are redeployed at the moment.

[ms_canuck]

Hello All!  Just dropping by to say that our 2021 Census in Canada has also taken place (assuming we all did it) on May 11th.  I was good, and did mine fairly quickly.  Fortunately, I got the 'short' version which took about 5 minutes.  Others weren't so lucky, and spent almost 1 hour completing the 'long' version.  All online with a code to enter.  If online was not for you, there was a 1-800 number to call to have a paper version sent out.

Some complaining that the short version is much too short (it was changed by PM Stephen Harper) and the long version borders on intrusion!  Ah well.  Hopefully in 100 years, no one will really care... LOL

Cheers from across the pond
Ms_C