The 2011 Uk Census

            A census is method of gathering information about a population, but gathering and correlating information from every individual. Most countries carry out some type of census to gain information about their population. The first recorded census in England was in 1086 with the compilation of the Doomsday book. This was a census that was undertaken for taxation purposes. However, this was not the first census to take place in the UK, the first census in the area now know as the UK was in Dalriada, an area which is now Scotland, which took place during the 7th century.

            The modern census used in the UK resulted from the work of John Rickman, who was a government official and a statistician. The census was adopted following a number of parliamentary debates in 1798, which included a number of benefits that could be obtained. These included the benefit of parliament to assess the number of men that may be available to fight in the Napoleonic Wars as well as assessing the population which is the basic resource of any industrious nation. Interestingly, it was also noted that the data from the census may also help to stimulate the life insurance industry.

            The first of these modern censuses was conducted in 1801, and they have been held every ten years since, with only one exception. In 1941, in the midst of the Second World War the census suspended but it restarted in 1951. The data gathered gives the government a relaible source of data that can be used for a wide range of puproses, including planning and policy setting.

            The 2011 census will take place on the 27th of March. Taking part is compulsory; failure to take part can result in a fine. Following in line with the 2001 census, will ask about religion, but it is n urban myth that if a set number of the population give a specific answer this will force the government to recognise a new religion. This was tried in 2001 with many people claiming Jedi as their religion. There is one questionnaire for each household; these have been posted out, based on a new national address register. The paper census forms may be filled in and completed; there is also an option to compete the census online. The 2011 census was tested in the London borough of Newham with a total of 33,850 households asked to take part in the rehearsal. Two other rehearsals were also held in Lancaster and Ynys Mon, in Anglesey, as well as a small scale test in Birmingham. It is hopped that the 2011 census will be one of the most efficient, and the results will be correlated in record speed thanks to the use of technology.