Census 2021 warning as you could be slapped with £1,000 fine

People are being warned to fill out their census as they could face a £1,000 fine if they don't.

The census takes place every ten years and gives the government a picture of households across England and Wales.

People's answers to the census help organisations make decisions on planning and funding public services in your area, including transport, education and healthcare.

This year's census takes place on Sunday, March 21 2021, but people can fill it in early once they receive their unique code in the post.

The census should take about 10 minutes for the household questions and 10 minutes per person.

Census 2021 is a digital-first census, which means people are being encouraged to respond online if they can.

Everyone in England and Wales must complete a census or be included on a census for the place where they’re living or staying and people have to complete the census by law.

Every householder at an address is responsible for completing a census questionnaire for their household. The householder should either answer the individual questions for all household members or make sure each member answers their own.

The census website said: "It is an offence to supply false information or to not complete the census, and you could be fined up to £1,000.

"Some questions are clearly labelled as voluntary. It is not an offence if you do not answer these."

The website also warns that if people don't fill in their census, census field officers will start to visit households at the end of March and into April to encourage them to complete the form.

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The website said: "After Census Day, at the end of March and into April, our census field officers will be visiting households from which we’ve not received a completed census form.

"They will encourage people to complete the census and help you to access further help if you need it. Our field officers will never need to enter your house.

"Our field officers will be working in the same way as a postal or food delivery visit. They will be wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and working in line with government guidance."